The developers behind Ghost of Tsushima had to lengthen some of the game's loading screens as Sucker Punch found that they were so fast, players couldn't read the tips. In an interview with Kotaku, Sucker Punch lead engine programmer Adrian Bentley noted that the team had to "artificially extend downtime" when the player died so that the loading screen tips could appear for "more than a fraction of a second.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/14/ghost-of-tsushima-gameplay-exploring-tsushima"] According to Bentley, this is down to Sucker Punch's engine loading strategy, which requires "as few disk reads as possible." "When you die, we only need [to] re-run this quick ‘spawn’ process with most of the data already loaded. In contrast, many other engines use serialization-based approaches, which require reloading a substantial amount of data to run again,” Bentley told Kotaku. Having played the game myself, the window between even longer loading screens felt ridiculously small, even when jumping from one end of the map to the other. Kudos to Sucker Punch for the coding tech, but it's still quite funny that the studio has had to make loading screens take longer so that players can actually read the flavour and tip text in the interim. It begs the question as to what loading screens will look like in the next-generation, as the PS5 and Xbox One adopt high-speed solid-state drive technology. We reviewed Ghost of Tsushima earlier this week, awarding it a 9/10 and calling it an excellent action game. If you're just hopping in, here's 40 essential tips and tricks for combat and exploration. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

The developers behind Ghost of Tsushima had to lengthen some of the game's loading screens as Sucker Punch found that they were so fast, players couldn't read the tips. In an interview with Kotaku, Sucker Punch lead engine programmer Adrian Bentley noted that the team had to "artificially extend downtime" when the player died so that the loading screen tips could appear for "more than a fraction of a second.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/14/ghost-of-tsushima-gameplay-exploring-tsushima"] According to Bentley, this is down to Sucker Punch's engine loading strategy, which requires "as few disk reads as possible." "When you die, we only need [to] re-run this quick ‘spawn’ process with most of the data already loaded. In contrast, many other engines use serialization-based approaches, which require reloading a substantial amount of data to run again,” Bentley told Kotaku. Having played the game myself, the window between even longer loading screens felt ridiculously small, even when jumping from one end of the map to the other. Kudos to Sucker Punch for the coding tech, but it's still quite funny that the studio has had to make loading screens take longer so that players can actually read the flavour and tip text in the interim. It begs the question as to what loading screens will look like in the next-generation, as the PS5 and Xbox One adopt high-speed solid-state drive technology. We reviewed Ghost of Tsushima earlier this week, awarding it a 9/10 and calling it an excellent action game. If you're just hopping in, here's 40 essential tips and tricks for combat and exploration. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Twitch has blocked the U.S. Army from running controller giveaways after they were allegedly found to redirect viewers to a military recruitment page. A report from The Nation dug into how the US Military is using online gaming to recruit teens. The Nation found that viewers watching the Army's channel were being presented with chat prompts to "win an Xbox Elite Series 2 controller." But when clicking the link to enter the giveaway, users were supposedly met with "a recruiting form with no additional mention of a contest, odds, total number of winners, or when a drawing will occur." When reached for comment by The Nation, the US Army declined to answer. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/16/dr-disrespect-speaks-out-on-his-twitch-ban"] A Twitch spokesperson issued a statement to Kotaku, announcing that the promotion had been removed. "Per our Terms of Service, promotions on Twitch must comply with all applicable laws. This promotion did not comply with our Terms, and we have required them to remove it,” the statement reads. Last week, the same account came under fire after it was found to be banning users who asked about war crimes in the stream chat. The US Army issued a statement in response justifying its approach, noting that "the user's question was an attempt to shift the conversation to imply that Soldiers commit war crimes based on an optional weapon in a game, and we felt that violated Twitch's harassment policy." Twitch has hit the news regularly recently, with banned streamer Dr. Disrespect saying he still doesn't know why he was kicked from the platform, and Donald Trump's channel serving a two-week suspension for broadcasting hateful content. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Twitch has blocked the U.S. Army from running controller giveaways after they were allegedly found to redirect viewers to a military recruitment page. A report from The Nation dug into how the US Military is using online gaming to recruit teens. The Nation found that viewers watching the Army's channel were being presented with chat prompts to "win an Xbox Elite Series 2 controller." But when clicking the link to enter the giveaway, users were supposedly met with "a recruiting form with no additional mention of a contest, odds, total number of winners, or when a drawing will occur." When reached for comment by The Nation, the US Army declined to answer. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/16/dr-disrespect-speaks-out-on-his-twitch-ban"] A Twitch spokesperson issued a statement to Kotaku, announcing that the promotion had been removed. "Per our Terms of Service, promotions on Twitch must comply with all applicable laws. This promotion did not comply with our Terms, and we have required them to remove it,” the statement reads. Last week, the same account came under fire after it was found to be banning users who asked about war crimes in the stream chat. The US Army issued a statement in response justifying its approach, noting that "the user's question was an attempt to shift the conversation to imply that Soldiers commit war crimes based on an optional weapon in a game, and we felt that violated Twitch's harassment policy." Twitch has hit the news regularly recently, with banned streamer Dr. Disrespect saying he still doesn't know why he was kicked from the platform, and Donald Trump's channel serving a two-week suspension for broadcasting hateful content. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

The developers of Paper Mario have revealed that they are no longer allowed to make characters "that touch on the Mario universe," or modify existing Mario characters. In an interview with VGC, Nintendo veteran Kensuke Tanabe was asked about the process behind designing new villains for a franchise full of iconic antagonists like Bowser and Kamek. In response, Tanabe noted that "since Paper Mario: Sticker Star, it's no longer possible to modify Mario characters or to create original characters that touch on the Mario Universe." This means that the team behind Paper Mario: Origami King had to come up with new characters from outside of the existing Mario Universe for the game, as they couldn't riff off of established Mushroom Kingdom villains. New characters seemingly can't even resemble Mario characters: "We need to create original characters with designs that don’t involve the Mario universe at all, like we’ve done with Olly and the stationery bosses." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/12/paper-mario-the-origami-king-a-closer-look-trailer"] This resulted in the game's main villain King Olly and his younger sister Olivia, who serves as a helpful sidekick during Mario's journey. It seems like other developers dealing with the Mario property will have had to follow similar rules, as Nintendo wants to retain the current cast of Mario characters as-is for the foreseeable future. "Whether a character becomes an all-time hit or not isn’t up to us on the development side; I think it’s more the case that characters that fans truly accept naturally end up that way," Tanabe added, suggesting that fan demand will decide whether we see Origami King's new characters in another game. "I hope that the origami siblings in Paper Mario: The Origami King will stay in players’ memories, even if they do only end up appearing in this title." We reviewed Paper Mario: Origami King, giving the game a 7/10 and praising it for its personality and visual design. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

The developers of Paper Mario have revealed that they are no longer allowed to make characters "that touch on the Mario universe," or modify existing Mario characters. In an interview with VGC, Nintendo veteran Kensuke Tanabe was asked about the process behind designing new villains for a franchise full of iconic antagonists like Bowser and Kamek. In response, Tanabe noted that "since Paper Mario: Sticker Star, it's no longer possible to modify Mario characters or to create original characters that touch on the Mario Universe." This means that the team behind Paper Mario: Origami King had to come up with new characters from outside of the existing Mario Universe for the game, as they couldn't riff off of established Mushroom Kingdom villains. New characters seemingly can't even resemble Mario characters: "We need to create original characters with designs that don’t involve the Mario universe at all, like we’ve done with Olly and the stationery bosses." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/12/paper-mario-the-origami-king-a-closer-look-trailer"] This resulted in the game's main villain King Olly and his younger sister Olivia, who serves as a helpful sidekick during Mario's journey. It seems like other developers dealing with the Mario property will have had to follow similar rules, as Nintendo wants to retain the current cast of Mario characters as-is for the foreseeable future. "Whether a character becomes an all-time hit or not isn’t up to us on the development side; I think it’s more the case that characters that fans truly accept naturally end up that way," Tanabe added, suggesting that fan demand will decide whether we see Origami King's new characters in another game. "I hope that the origami siblings in Paper Mario: The Origami King will stay in players’ memories, even if they do only end up appearing in this title." We reviewed Paper Mario: Origami King, giving the game a 7/10 and praising it for its personality and visual design. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Disney appears to have quietly confirmed The Falcon and the Winter Soldier won’t be arriving in August as initially discussed; the series is absent from the newly-unveiled Disney+ August release schedule. The August release was originally revealed in a February earnings call. The news is far from surprising considering production on the six-part series ground to a halt back in March when its short Prague-based shoot was shut down during the early phase of the COVID-19 crisis. The bulk of the series was reportedly shot in Atlanta, prior to this unplanned pause. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/03/marvel-studios-disney-plus-big-game-spot] The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is a spinoff series focusing on Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson – who was personally handed Captain America’s shield by Steve Rogers at the end of Avengers: Endgame – and Sebastian Stan’s deprogrammed assassin “Bucky” Barnes (a.k.a. The Winter Soldier). Returning characters include Daniel Bruhl’s villainous Zemo from Captain America: Civil War, and Emily Van Camp’s Sharon Carter. The series will also introduce Wyatt Russell as John Walker – a.k.a. U.S. Agent. Click here for a quick rundown of how Sam Wilson became Captain America in the comics, which seems to be where this series is headed given how Avengers: Endgame concluded. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=from-iron-man-to-endgame-how-the-avengers-salaries-changed&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Luke is Games Editor at IGN's Sydney office. You can find him on Twitter sporadically @MrLukeReilly.

Disney appears to have quietly confirmed The Falcon and the Winter Soldier won’t be arriving in August as initially discussed; the series is absent from the newly-unveiled Disney+ August release schedule. The August release was originally revealed in a February earnings call. The news is far from surprising considering production on the six-part series ground to a halt back in March when its short Prague-based shoot was shut down during the early phase of the COVID-19 crisis. The bulk of the series was reportedly shot in Atlanta, prior to this unplanned pause. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/03/marvel-studios-disney-plus-big-game-spot] The Falcon and The Winter Soldier is a spinoff series focusing on Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson – who was personally handed Captain America’s shield by Steve Rogers at the end of Avengers: Endgame – and Sebastian Stan’s deprogrammed assassin “Bucky” Barnes (a.k.a. The Winter Soldier). Returning characters include Daniel Bruhl’s villainous Zemo from Captain America: Civil War, and Emily Van Camp’s Sharon Carter. The series will also introduce Wyatt Russell as John Walker – a.k.a. U.S. Agent. Click here for a quick rundown of how Sam Wilson became Captain America in the comics, which seems to be where this series is headed given how Avengers: Endgame concluded. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=from-iron-man-to-endgame-how-the-avengers-salaries-changed&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Luke is Games Editor at IGN's Sydney office. You can find him on Twitter sporadically @MrLukeReilly.

Noah Centineo has been cast as Atom Smasher in the upcoming DC movie, Black Adam. Centineo, famous for his role as Peter in To All The Boys I've Loved Before and its subsequent sequel, will act alongside Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam as the DC hero, Atom Smasher, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Centineo and Johnson will be directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. While this is Centineo's first time working with the director, Collet-Serra previously directed Johnson in Disney's The Jungle Cruise, due out next year. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dc-extended-universe-every-upcoming-movie&captions=true"] As for what to expect in terms of story, Black Adam's villainous role in DC stories has evolved into something more anti-hero-like, although that take on the character isn't confirmed. Atom Smasher's involvement in the story is an unknown, but it was recently reported that Black Adam will bring the Justice Society of America to the screen, a team that has counted Atom Smasher among its members. The hero, born Albert Rothstein, is known for changing their atomic makeup to change his size and strength. In the DC Comics, Adam and Rothstein eventually formed a bond after the former joined the JSA's ranks. We could be learning more at DC's upcoming virtual DC FanDome event. [caption id="attachment_2380815" align="alignnone" width="720"] Noah Centineo in The Perfect Date. (Credit: Netflix)[/caption] Black Adam has been gestating for a while with Johnson's role in the DC universe going all the way back to 2003, when he was rumored to play Shazam, the hero counterpart to Black Adam's villainous role in the comics. In 2007, he spoke with IGN about the role but that version of the movie didn't go anywhere beyond 2009. Fast forward to 2014 and Johnson began to talk more about Shazam. He announced later that year that he was no longer in talks to play Shazam but that instead, he would portray Black Adam. Shazam! and Black Adam were split into two separate movies, with Shazam! opening to strong reviews and box office in 2019. Late last year, Johnson announced on Instagram that Black Adam would be arriving to theaters on Dec. 22, 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/03/30/shazam-producer-on-dwayne-johnsons-black-adam-and-future-dc-movies"] Then the coronavirus struck and threw the entire film industry for a loop. As to when we can expect to see Johnson's anti-hero and Centineo's Atom Smasher in Collet-Serra's Black Adam, a release date delay has not been made but at this point, it's not out of the question. Johnson recently said Black Adam hopes to begin filming in August or September. Beau Flynn of FlynnPictureCo. is producing Black Adam with Johnson and Dany and Hiram Garcia's Seven Bucks Productions. Black Adam joins Shazam! as part of DC's collaboration with New Line. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.

Noah Centineo has been cast as Atom Smasher in the upcoming DC movie, Black Adam. Centineo, famous for his role as Peter in To All The Boys I've Loved Before and its subsequent sequel, will act alongside Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam as the DC hero, Atom Smasher, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Centineo and Johnson will be directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. While this is Centineo's first time working with the director, Collet-Serra previously directed Johnson in Disney's The Jungle Cruise, due out next year. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dc-extended-universe-every-upcoming-movie&captions=true"] As for what to expect in terms of story, Black Adam's villainous role in DC stories has evolved into something more anti-hero-like, although that take on the character isn't confirmed. Atom Smasher's involvement in the story is an unknown, but it was recently reported that Black Adam will bring the Justice Society of America to the screen, a team that has counted Atom Smasher among its members. The hero, born Albert Rothstein, is known for changing their atomic makeup to change his size and strength. In the DC Comics, Adam and Rothstein eventually formed a bond after the former joined the JSA's ranks. We could be learning more at DC's upcoming virtual DC FanDome event. [caption id="attachment_2380815" align="alignnone" width="720"] Noah Centineo in The Perfect Date. (Credit: Netflix)[/caption] Black Adam has been gestating for a while with Johnson's role in the DC universe going all the way back to 2003, when he was rumored to play Shazam, the hero counterpart to Black Adam's villainous role in the comics. In 2007, he spoke with IGN about the role but that version of the movie didn't go anywhere beyond 2009. Fast forward to 2014 and Johnson began to talk more about Shazam. He announced later that year that he was no longer in talks to play Shazam but that instead, he would portray Black Adam. Shazam! and Black Adam were split into two separate movies, with Shazam! opening to strong reviews and box office in 2019. Late last year, Johnson announced on Instagram that Black Adam would be arriving to theaters on Dec. 22, 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/03/30/shazam-producer-on-dwayne-johnsons-black-adam-and-future-dc-movies"] Then the coronavirus struck and threw the entire film industry for a loop. As to when we can expect to see Johnson's anti-hero and Centineo's Atom Smasher in Collet-Serra's Black Adam, a release date delay has not been made but at this point, it's not out of the question. Johnson recently said Black Adam hopes to begin filming in August or September. Beau Flynn of FlynnPictureCo. is producing Black Adam with Johnson and Dany and Hiram Garcia's Seven Bucks Productions. Black Adam joins Shazam! as part of DC's collaboration with New Line. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.