A Sony executive has said that the full generational transition from PS4 to PS5 "will take about three years." Speaking to AV Watch (translated via Google Translate) Sony's SVP of Global Product Strategy and Management Hideaki Nishino insisted that "forward compatibility is important" and that we'll be seeing cross-generational content that supports both PS4 and PS5 for a few years yet. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/06/playstation-5-review"] "The current assumption is that the transition from PS4 to PS5 will take about three years," Nishino added. "We have more than 100 million PS4 customers, but we will do our best to move to PS5 as soon as possible." This is great news if you're sticking with your PlayStation 4 for the time being, as it means Sony is committed to supporting both generations of consoles for the time being. It complements the comments from SIE CEO Jim Ryan, who recently said that it was 'crucial' to keep serving PS4 owners after the pandemic showed how active that huge audience remains. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] Of course, there are already PS5 exclusives coming to the new device at launch such as Demon's Souls and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Nishino mentions that Sony is asking developers to develop "on the premise of cross-generation" for the time being. In other PS5 news, you can check out our review of the next-gen console here. Tennis champ Naomi Osaka recently starred in a PS5 advert and debuted some new footage from Resident Evil Village, which you can take a look at here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

All Elite Wrestling has announced an upcoming console game, developed alongside wrestling stalwarts Yuke's, and WWF No Mercy director Hideyuki “Geta” Iwashita. The wrestling franchise also announced two mobile games. The console game, which currently has no official name or release date, got a teaser trailer (below) showing off Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, and Hikaru Shida in an exaggerated art style. It's in early development at Yuke's, the studio behind dozens of WWE games that was recently dropped from the WWE 2K series. Speaking at an announcement event, Omega (who dressed as Steve Jobs for the occasion) explained that the intention is for the game to be easy to pick up but difficult to master, in the lineage of classic sports games like NBA Jam and NHL Blitz. Omega also announced that Hideyuki “Geta” Iwashita, the director of much-loved N64 wrestling game WWF No Mercy, is a part of the project. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/11/all-elite-wrestling-the-game-official-teaser"] The company also announced two mobile games. AEW Elite GM will let players take on the role of general manager of the organisation, "designing a roster of wrestlers, setting up matches, and running the show to generate revenue, new fans and effects on wrestlers’ stamina and morale." It's due to arrive in 2021. The company also announced AEW Casino: Double or Nothing, an AEW -branded casino game due to arrive this winter. "Every once in a while, a revolutionary company comes along and changes everything," Omega said in a press release. "AEW is doing that today. When I first signed with AEW, I asked [company president] Tony Khan to let me help assemble the best gaming team on the planet, to make the best wrestling games ever. With masterminds like Geta and the incredible team at YUKE’S, we are well on the path to deliver a fresh, vastly superior gaming experience that our fans deserve.” [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: Perhaps we were too willing to believe in the beautiful dream of keeping a ping pong ball aloft above our new console. As shown in a video by Yzoja on Twitter (below), the Series X seems to emit enough air to wobble, but not carry, a feather while running Assassin's Creed Valhalla (presumably a more taxing game than Forza Horizon 4, which was shown in the original ping pong ball post). I probably shouldn't have ordered those ping pong balls in retrospect.

dla tych co wierzą, że Xbox jest w stanie podnieść piłeczkę do ping ponga :)

AC: Valhalla + piórko. pic.twitter.com/Gxd4N0ao5E — Angie | (@Yzoja) November 11, 2020

[poilib element="accentDivider"] In a major blow in the console wars, air from the Xbox Series X's top vent can apparently be used to make a ping pong ball float. As posted by SnowFlakesMilkHoney on Reddit, the console's large heatsink can seemingly keep a ping pong ball aloft. Presumably, the more powerful the game, the higher it floats – and suddenly I want this to become a part of our new Performance Review series' standard tests. [caption id="attachment_2436766" align="alignnone" width="793"] Image credit: u/SnowFlakesMilkHoney[/caption] It's a discovery that immediately led the Internet to demand that Xbox include a ping pong ball with every Xbox Series X - preferably a green one with an X painted on it. If you want to know why this works, it's an example of Bernoulli's Principle – the faster air moves, the lower its pressure, meaning high-pressure air keeps the ping pong ball within the column of low pressure air. The ball stays stationary at the point the force of gravity and the force of the air reach the same level. Science! For more on Xbox Series X, you could read our full review of the console, about how scalpers are already trying to sell it for $1000, or check out our tips on what to do first with the console. Or you could run out and buy a bunch of ping pong balls. Your choice. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/05/xbox-series-x-review"] [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.

Tennis champion Naomi Osaka has starred in a PlayStation 5 advert, unexpectedly showing off some new Resident Evil Village footage in the process. As part of the PS5 First Play campaign, Osaka can be seen playing Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Resident Evil Village and talking about her history with Sony's consoles. Osaka uses games to unwind and is a big fan of open-world games and MMORPG games, playing games like Apex Legends and Overwatch in her free time. She touts the immersion of the PlayStation 5 while digging into a bit of new gameplay from Resident Evil Village. You can watch the advert below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/11/naomi-osaka-plays-ps5-new-resident-evil-village-gameplay"] Osaka can be seen exploring an abandoned town, talking about the haptics used when the protagonist is sliding. The clip offers a few offscreen jumpscares, and shows some puzzling gameplay. as the player picks up herbs and defends a hut from the zombie horde. Resident Evil Village will arrive on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in 2021. For more information on the game, we can look to this year's Tokyo Games Show, where we found out how exploration will be a central part of the gameplay in Resident Evil Village. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Dwayne Johnson will produce a reboot of The Scorpion King, but will reportedly not return for the lead role. Deadline reports that Universal Pictures will likely get a new actor to play the role given Johnson's busy schedule, but Johnson is passionate enough about the project that there's still a chance he will appear in the movie. The reboot will take place in modern times and will be written by Straight Outta Compton writer Jonathan Herman. "The Scorpion King was my very first role ever on the silver screen and I’m honored and excited to reimagine and deliver this cool mythology to a whole new generation," Johnson said in a statement. "I wouldn’t have had the career I’m lucky enough to have had it not been for The Scorpion King and I’m thrilled that we at Seven Bucks Productions can help create those same opportunities for other hard-working actors today. I believe Jonathan Herman will put in the hard work to deliver a fantastic script for our global audience." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dwayne-the-rock-johnsons-10-best-movies&captions=true"] Johnson first appeared as The Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns and reprised the character in a spin-off movie that was released in theaters a year after. Both movies were box office hits and, as Johnson says, put him on the road to movie stardom. The Scorpion King became a franchise in itself with four direct-to-video installments without any involvement from Johnson. The most recent, The Scorpion King: Book of Souls, was released in 2018. The Scorpion King reboot is the latest project for Herman at Universal. The Oscar-nominated writer also re-wrote Fast and Furious 9 and worked on the remake of Scarface, according to Deadline. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/04/22/igns-top-25-cheesy-action-movies"] Johnson was recently in the news for partnering up with Microsoft to give away new Xbox consoles to children's hospitals. He has plenty of reason to be in good spirits as Johnson is the highest-paid actor in the world for the second year in a row. Johnson will next appear in the Disney movie Jungle Cruise, which is currently set for release in July 2021. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN who will forever be a fan of The Game Plan.

UPDATE 2: Warner Bros. officially announced Wednesday that Mads Mikkelsen has been cast as Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3. Mikkelsen replaces Johnny Depp, who resigned from the role earlier this month (see the details below). Mikkelsen (Rogue One, Hannibal, Doctor Strange) joins a cast that includes Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Callum Turner, William Nadylam, Poppy Corby-Tuech, Jessica Williams, Victoria Yeates, and Jude Law. Directed by David Yates, Fantastic Beasts 3 opens July 15, 2022. UPDATE: IGN spoke to actor Mads Mikkelsen on Monday to promote our exclusive Chaos Walking trailer debut -- which you can see on IGN tomorrow, Thursday, November 19 at 6am PT/9am ET -- during which time we asked the Rogue One and Hannibal star about the news that he's poised to replace Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Depp resigned from the role earlier this month (see the original report below), with the trades pegging Mikkelsen as director David Yates' top choice to replace him in the role of the sinister wizard. Except Mikkelsen says it's all just a "rumor" ... for now. "Oh, that is on the rumor basis as we speak," Mikkelsen told IGN over the phone. "So I know as much as you do from the newspapers. So I'm waiting for that phone call." Maybe Mikkelsen is simply playing coy until the deal is sealed or perhaps word of the studio's desire to cast him leaked before they were ready to make him an offer. In any event, as soon as Depp's replacement is official then we'll let you know! [poilib element="accentDivider"] Shortly after being asked to resign from the upcoming Fantastic Beasts 3, Johnny Depp's replacement may already have been found. Mads Mikkelsen is allegedly in early talks to play Grindlewald in the upcoming sequel. According to a report by Deadline Mikkelsen is apparently director David Yates' top choice to replace Johnny Depp, who was let go from the project recently due to ongoing abuse allegations. Although Depp only filmed one scene for the film so far, he will still retain his multi-million dollar salary due to the type of contract he originally signed which guaranteed his pay even if his role was recast. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=actors-who-were-replaced-during-production&captions=true"] Mikkelsen is known for portraying Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the TV series Hannibal and Galen Erso in Rogue One. The Danish actor also played a pivotal role as Clifford Unger in Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding, contributing both motion capture and vocals for the performance. Filming for Fantastic Beasts 3 was stopped earlier this year due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and with Depp's departure, WB confirmed Fantastic Beasts 3 would be released in summer 2022 instead of its past November 2021 release date. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/11/24/best-25-harry-potter-characters] It was previously announced that Fantastic Beasts is also now going to be a 5-part series of films after it was extended from its original three-film run. For more, check out some other actors who were replaced during movie production and what director Yates has said about the film's upcoming battles. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Editor's Note: This story previously incorrectly stated that Fantastic Beasts 3's release date had not shifted. The article has been updated to reflect the accurate change to its release. Matthew Adler is a Features, News, Previews, Reviews, and Wikis writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

One of the biggest launch games for the PlayStation 5 this week is Spider-Man: Miles Morales. IGN was able to speak with the devs for an in-depth tech breakdown, but the devs at Insomniac says we’re just “scratching the surface” of what the PS5 can do. Spider-Man: Miles Morales on PS5 offers a variety of options, whether it’s the ray-tracing enabled fidelity mode, or the smoother frame rate performance mode. Insomniac’s core technology director Mike Fitzgerald says that these options, wrapped around the faster load times of the custom SSD, are just the first steps for the PS5. “It feels like we’re just scratching the surface of what you can do with hardware like [the PS5],” says Fitzgerald. “That we sort of can take a game model like Spider-Man and make everything really fast. Even the Ratchet and Clank game we’re working on is leaning into that, a lot.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/10/spider-man-miles-morales-performance-review-ps5-vs-ps4-pro-vs-ps4"] Fitzgerald says that developers will have “years and years of scraping more and more performance” out of the PS5 and doing things that are “crazier and crazier.” For a full breakdown of the tech powering Spider-Man: Miles Morales, check out IGN’s tech breakdown in the video above. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-spider-man-miles-morales-review-screenshots&captions=true"] When asked about the different modes offered for Miles Morales, Fitzgerald says it’s a good thing “because it means we’re giving different options for different types of players.” “Feels like we can serve both of those audiences. We never really offered an option in our games before, right? Every game we’ve done sort of locked at 30… but it’s sort of nice to lean into [the different options].” For more, check out IGN’s review of Spider-Man: Miles Morales and the PS5 review for a full rundown of Sony’s next-gen launch. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Critical Role has announced two new graphic novels that will explore the origins of members of the Mighty Nein, based on the second series of the immensely popular TTRPPG Dungeons & Dragons show.

Dubbed “The Mighty Nein Origins,” and made in collaboration with Dark Horse Comics, the first volume will be released on June 16, 2021, while the second volume on July 14, 2021. The new series will explore what each character of the Mighty Nein was up to before joining the group that becomes the focus of Critical Role’s current livestream series.

Volume one features Jester Lavorre, the blue-skinned cleric played by voice actress Laura Bailey from The Last of Us Part II, Uncharted, Gears 5, and countless other game and TV credits. It’s written by Sam Maggs (Captain Marvel, The Unstoppable Wasp), features line art by Hunter Severn Bonyun (who also did line art for previous Critical Role graphic novels), colors by Cathy Le, and is co-directed by Laura Bailey and Critical Role dungeon master Matthew Mercer.

“Jester Lavorre had an unconventional upbringing, even for one born in cosmopolitan Nicodranas,” Critical Role’s announcement reads. “Daughter of the famed Ruby of the Sea, she had many opportunities for mischief as a small child, of which she took full advantage. Dive into the mystery of Jester’s early years, her first meeting with the Traveler, and the fateful events that set her on a path to eventually join the Mighty Nein.”

Volume two features wizard Caleb Widogast, the Mighty Nein member played by Liam O’Brien.

“In The Mighty Nein Origins: Caleb Widogast, Bren Aldric Ermendrud is chosen to attend the exclusive Soltryce Academy, preparing for an important future in service to the Empire,” the announcement reads. “But nobody––least of all Bren himself––can foresee the cruelty he will endure, and the ways in which it will break and remake him. Witness the events that transform Bren into the Mighty Nein’s Caleb Widogast, and how they inform the path he’ll take in the future.”

Volume two is written by Jody Houser (Avengers, Orphan Black, Straner Things: The Game Master), with line art by Selina Espiritu (Critical Role comics), colors by Diana Sousu (Edge of Spider-Geddon), and direction from Liam O’Brien and Matthew Mercer.

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You can pre-order both volumes through local comic book stores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and TFAW. Digital versions can be ordered through Dark Horse Digital, ComiXology, Barnes & Noble, and other services set to be announced later.

Critical Role broke records last year for their Kickstarter campaign to fund an animated series based on the adventures of Vox Machina, the group’s first series. The group raised more than $11 million, making it the fifth-most successful Kickstarter ever. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/5th level monk for IGN. Use inspiration on him on Twitter.

Netflix has officially renewed The Umbrella Academy for Season 3. The upcoming third season will once again feature 10 new episodes, just as the past two seasons have. The Umbrella Academy Season 3 will see the cast from Season 2 reprise their roles including Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, Justin H. Min, Ritu Arya, and Colm Feore. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-superhero-movies-and-tv-shows-on-netflix-right-now&captions=true"] Also returning is showrunner Steve Blackman who will also serve as executive producer. Currently, there is no release window for the upcoming season. While no plot details have been released yet, the comics may point to the introduction of parallel universes or supervillains potentially arriving in Season 3. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/31/the-umbrella-academy-s2-5-things-to-know-before-you-watch] The Umbrella Academy Season 2 was a big hit when it debuted earlier this year, becoming Netflix's most-watched show since 2019's The Witcher. IGN also thought the show was amazing with our review stating that "Umbrella Academy finds its groove by honing its signature style and humor, making for a funnier, more focused Season 2." It may be surprising to see a Netflix show get picked up for a third season these days, as Netflix is notorious for canceling shows after Season 2 due to the rising costs and waning viewership. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/31/the-umbrella-academy-season-2-review] For more on the The Umbrella Academy, check out our explainer of Season 2's wild ending and what the cast had to say about Ben's big moment. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matthew Adler is a Features, News, Previews, Reviews, and Wikis writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

Xbox and Activision are using Microsoft's xCloud streaming service to develop games during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from Bloomberg. It's no secret that developing games is difficult. It's also not a secret that developing games during a global pandemic is even more difficult, as likely evidenced by the game delays we've seen this year. Microsoft reportedly built an app for creating and testing games over the internet using xCloud, according to Bloomberg, and Xbox and Microsoft have been using it to develop games. It even helped Microsoft ship its new batch of consoles. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/14/50-games-coming-to-project-xcloud-x019"] "It enabled us to ship our console on time," xCloud principal software engineering manager, Daniel Kennett, told Bloomberg. Microsoft repurposed xCloud to allow developers to access their high-end computers in their office from the confines of their home. The repurposed xCloud tool can display high resolutions and reproduce audio in surround sound, according to Bloomberg, and nearly 60 studios are using it to work on new games and test how they work. Xbox is, of course, using xCloud to do this, but Activision Blizzard Inc. is as well, the report notes. It's also being used to fix hardware bugs by Xbox. Microsoft's game streaming service allows employees to connect to each other's computers where they can make changes to art or other things remotely. Those changes can then be shared on Microsoft Teams, which helped restore a sense of normalcy, Kennett said. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=forza-motorsport-xbox-series-x-screenshots&captions=true"] "Being stuck at home and not being able to walk around the floor and see where stuff's at is brutal," he said. The Bloomberg report also includes some information about the new Forza game, or rather, how early prototypes of the new Forza game are being run on old Xbox One systems through xCloud and another tool developed by Microsoft. The report doesn't include anything particularly new about the next Forza game — we already know it's coming — but it's a nice confirmation that development on the game is still happening despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about what Xbox boss Phil Spencer believes the impact of COVID-19 on games will be and then read about how COVID-19 virtualized gaming events and local communities. Check out how a recent COVID-19 vaccine announcement caused game companies' stock to drop after that. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.