Updated 6/25 with new Marvel's Avenger story and gameplay details. The Marvel's Avengers game is set to launch in just a few months and fans of the Marvel Universe will soon be able to play as one of six playable heroes confirmed for it. Set five years after the events of A-Day, Marvel's Avengers follows Kamala Khan as she assembles a team to help her tackle a new threat. With a beta confirmed for later this year and the release date drawing near, now is a great time to catch up on what we know about Crystal Dynamic's Marvel's Avengers so far. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/24/marvels-avengers-summer-of-gaming-interview"]

Marvel's Avengers Release Date

The Marvel's Avengers release date is September 4, 2020 and will arrive on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia. Crystal Dynamics initially planned for a May 2020 release but elected to push back the date so developers could finish "fine-tuning and polishing the game." Marvel's Avengers has been teased by Square Enix since 2017 and was officially revealed at E3 2019. Those who preorder the game will get access to the beta and some other cool rewards. Check out our Marvel's Avengers preorder guide for more information.

Marvel's Avengers Story

Marvel's Avengers takes place five years after the cinematic trailer that was shown during E3 2019, where the Avengers are blamed for a tragedy involving Terrigen mists (a mutagen that transforms its victims into Inhumans) that struck the San Francisco Bay Area. After the event, dubbed "A-Day", superheroes are outlawed and the Avengers are officially disbanded. One of the victims of the Terrigen mists includes the co-founder of Advanced Idea Mechanics (or A.I.M.) George Tarleton, who eventually transforms into the game's main supervillain, MODOK. Utilizing the lingering resentment against the Avengers after A-Day to imprison Inhumans and "find a cure", Tarleton begins secretly using their powers to form an Adaptoid robot army with the goal of eliminating all superpowered peoples from the Earth. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/24/marvels-avengers-meet-modok"] A teenager named Kamala Khan (also known as Ms. Marvel) is another victim of the Terrigen mist who discovers her powers during a fight. She later finds evidence that reveals the true nature behind A.I.M.'s Inhuman "research" as well as the truth about Captain America's death, and brings the information to Bruce Banner who then informs Tony Stark. Eventually, the Avengers are forced to reassemble to confront the threat.

Marvel's Avengers Gameplay

Marvel's Avengers can be played as a single-player game or as an online co-op game where you can team up with three other players. There are also two types of missions in the game, Hero and Warzone missions. Hero missions are single-player only and part of the main campaign according to Crystal Dynamics' Studio Creative Head, Noah Hughes. Warzone missions, on the other hand, are less story focused and allow players to play as any Avenger they like, either by themselves or with friends. When playing co-op, heroes can work together to perform Team Finisher moves. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/24/marvels-avengers-co-op-war-zones-trailer"] Crystal Dynamics is focusing on player choice as far as Marvel's Avengers gameplay is concerned, allowing each hero's gear, skills, and outfits to be customized. We spoke with the developers to find out more about customizing hero moves in Marvel's Avengers and lead combat designer Vince Napoli told us, "All the support abilities also have a primary function for the main character as well." For example, Thor has an ability that strikes enemies with lightning but also strikes each Avenger, giving them a lightning shield and making them invincible for 12 seconds. These abilities can also be customized to suit specific needs. Napoli explained, "You can change the way that the god mode sort of works for Thor and you can turn him into a sort of a beacon of health where he’ll sort of channel health to nearby characters for the duration of his god mode." As players progress through the game, they'll be able to upgrade gear to make their heroes more powerful, similar to games like Destiny or Borderlands. However, gear upgrades will not be visible on a hero's suit, but will instead be "part of or underneath your suit" according to senior producer Rose Hunt. "We thought [players] would rather have the visuals that we're pulling from the comic books or the original suits that we're making up, rather than have a bunch of attachments on the outside of it making them look not as cool," said Hunt. "When you scale up or when you level up gear, there's definitely going to be some different visuals for VFX. Generally, it's going to feel like a celebration. It's also going to have probably some different animations at different times." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/24/marvels-avengers-thor-8-minute-gameplay-reveal"] As far as game length goes, Crystal Dynamics hasn't released an official statement on Marvel's Avengers playtime. However, senior brand director Rich Briggs suggested to Comicbook that quickly going through the main story might take around 10-12 hours, but a more in-depth playthrough could last up to 30 hours. In a clarifying statement to IGN, a Crystal Dynamics representative indicated the studio intends to support the game for "multiple years" with DLC and post-launch content. Further, Crystal Dynamics is calling Marvel Avengers the largest game in the history of its studio. IGN was able to go hands-on with it at Gamescom 2019, so be sure to check out our Marvel's Avengers first impressions, if you're interested. Additionally, we've rounded up a list of over 38 new details about the game.

Marvel's Avengers Characters

There are currently six heroes confirmed for Marvel's Avengers. You can see a list of all the characters below.

• Iron Man
• Thor
• Black Widow
• Captain America
• Hulk
• Kamala Khan

At the 2019 New York City Comic Con, Kamala Khan was introduced as the sixth playable character to join the elite squad of heroes. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/05/marvels-avengers-every-revealed-character-costume-and-finisher-in-4k"] It was also revealed that Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel will be the main protagonist of Marvel's Avengers. Rose Hunt, Marvel’s Avengers senior producer told IGN that the team decided to focus on Ms. Marvel in part due to her lack of history in the Marvel universe, allowing the studio more freedom when crafting her story for the game. “Another advantage of her is that she doesn't have 80 years of history, like Captain America or some of the other Avengers,” said Hunt. “And that allows us to actually tell more of an original story with her, because her story has just begun, and we can build on that in very interesting ways.” Some fans were disappointed to see Hawkeye left off the list, after all, he is one of the core Avengers. While he hasn't been officially revealed at the time of writing, Marvel Games' Creative Director Bill Rosemann is telling fans to "stay tuned, true believer," suggesting Hawkeye may be joining the lineup at a later date. Various trailers and gameplay reveals have also indicated that Abomination and Taskmaster will show up in the game as villains. While there is little to no public information on these character's roles in the game, Taskmaster will be one of the villains in the upcoming Black Widow movie, which has been delayed due to the coronavirus. Game footage has also revealed that A.I.M. will be the main mastermind group behind the conspiracy uncovered by Kamala Khan. This group first appeared in Marvel comics in the 1960s and has since appeared in a variety of movies, shows, and even games. For more, check out our deep dive into the history of A.I.M. MODOK is confirmed to be the main supervillain in Marvel's Avengers. In addition to all this, Square Enix has announced that there will be characters added to the game post-launch, which will be free for all players. Be sure to check out our list of heroes we want to see added in the DLC.

Marvel's Avengers Beta

The Marvel's Avengers beta will be available to everyone who preorders the game. At the time of writing, the beta release date hasn't been announced yet and Square Enix is telling fans that more information will be provided at a later date. Additionally, those who preorder a copy on the PS4 will get access to the beta first. Anyone who preorders the Deluxe or Earth's Mightiest editions (any platform) of Marvel's Avengers will get access to the game on September 1, three days before its launch. However, preordering any edition of the Marvel's Avengers will grant you beta access when it becomes available. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Andrew Smith is a freelance contributor with IGN and is super excited to play Marvel's Avengers in September! Follow him on Twitter @_andrewtsmith.

Here at IGN, we're always looking for new ways to bring our community together to embrace what we're most passionate about. That's why we launched Watch From Home Theater, a weekly live show where we unite some of your favorite IGN personalities and special celebrity guests to have a digital movie night together with you watching some of our favorite films of all time. This Thursday, April 30th at 5 p.m. PT, we're watching Netflix's new action-thriller Extraction with director Sam Hargrave and producers Joe and Anthony Russo -- and, surprise update, star Chris Hemsworth will be joining as a special guest as well! The movie is written by Joe Russo, who adapted it from the 2014 graphic novel Ciudad that he wrote with his brother Anthony and co-author Ande Parks. If you didn't already watch Extraction this past weekend on Netflix, check out a clip of one of its impressive action sequences below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/extraction-knife-fight-clip"] The movie is a reunion between the Russos, Hargrave and star Chris Hemsworth, who previously worked together in Marvel Studios' Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Hemsworth stars as Tyler Rake, a hardened mercenary whose mission becomes a soul-searching race to survive when he's sent into Bangladesh to rescue a drug lord's kidnapped son. Extraction also stars Rudhraksh Jaiswal and Randeep Hooda. Extraction marks the feature film directorial debut of Hargrave, who is best known for his work in stunt choreography. In addition to the MCU movies previously mentioned, Hargrave is the stunt coordinator behind Atomic Blonde, The Hunger Games and Deadpool 2, and before that was a stunt double for the likes of Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine and Chris Evans in The Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. That's why it should be no surprise that Hargrave knows how to take the action in Extraction to the next level. IGN's review of Extraction praises its stunt choreography, calling it a "pure white-knuckle actioner" and saying that "if you enjoyed the hard-hitting showdowns between Bucky and Steve in the Captain America films, you'll dig this flick." So get your Netflix account ready and sync up with us for this one-of-a-kind movie night! If you don't already have an account, lucky for you the service is offering a 30-day free Netflix trial. Watch From Home Theater isn’t just a show or an opportunity to watch a movie; it’s a hangout with passionate people who share one thing in common -- their love of film. Each week, we'll invite our viewers to join in the conversation using our WFH Theater Discord channel to chat with our host, Clint Gage, as well as our celebrity guests. With running commentaries that range from insightful to silly, each viewing will take on a life of its own based on each film. This week we'll be hosting two episodes of WFH Theater, so be sure to also join in the watch-along fun on Wednesday, April 29th when we watch Star Trek: First Contact with director and star Jonathan Frakes. Check out highlights from our recent episodes of WFH Theater below!

WFH Theater - Jurassic Park with original movie star Joseph Mazzello

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/25/jurassic-park-the-t-rex-detail-you-never-noticed-and-other-secrets-revealed"]

WFH Theater - 10 Cloverfield Lane with director Dan Trachtenberg

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/23/uncharted-gears-of-war-and-more-inspired-10-cloverfield-lane"]

WFH Theater - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with writers Gary Whitta and Chris Weitz

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/star-wars-writers-reveal-hidden-secrets-of-rogue-one"] Editor's note: This article was updated with the news that Chris Hemsworth would be joining this episode of WFH Theater as a special guest.

The Nintendo Switch version of RPG platformer Indivisible launched today, and developer Lab Zero Games had absolutely no idea. Furthermore, the Switch port has been released missing co-op and new game plus modes, as well as other recent additions. Posting on Twitter, Lab Zero Games’ Mike Zaimont said “our team found out because people on Twitter sent us congratulations! I had no idea!”

No release date announcement, no lead-up PR at all. It's missing current features like co-op. The eShop art is the wrong image.

This launch does not represent the quality standards of Lab Zero. It just doesn't. I'm sorry. It wasn't us. But hey, it's 20% off! :^) pic.twitter.com/pFr0k6hSMT — Mike Zaimont (@MikeZSez) April 28, 2020

He went on to say that the Switch version is great and running at a stable framerate, but it appears that the old build of the game has been added to the Nintendo eShop, rather than the current version. In addition, the store page features the wrong artwork, and appeared with no PR lead up or release date announcement. “This launch does not represent the quality standards of Lab Zero,” said Zaimont. “It just doesn't. I'm sorry. It wasn't us.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/07/the-first-15-minutes-of-indivisible"] It’s likely that the situation is due to Indivisible’s publisher, 505 Games. We’ve reached out to both Lab Zero Games and 505 Games for further comment. Indivisible has landed on Switch with a 20% discount, and if it looks like your kind of thing then you should give it a try. Our glowing review of the original PC version called it “one of the most wildly creative RPGs of the year”. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

The release date for Black Forest Games' Destroy All Humans! remake has been revealed, with the game launching on July 28th, 2020. The remake was revealed back in June 2019 and will land on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Google Stadia at launch. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/28/destroy-all-humans-release-date-trailer"] Destroy All Humans! is a remake of the 2005 cult classic developed by the now-defunct Pandemic and follows Crypto, a smack-talking alien who terrorizes a 1950s township, claiming the precious brain stems of the human populace. The game released on PS2 and Xbox and was a hit with fans for its irreverent humour and chaotic gameplay, which has been reimagined for current-gen consoles. The game will retail at €29.99 / $29.99 / £24.99 on PC and €39.99 / $39.99 / £34.99 on consoles. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/21/destroy-all-humans-remake-preview"] Those who pre-order the game will also receive a set of skins that are debuted in the trailer, including one that dons Crypto in a white bodysuit that is clearly a homage to Memphis crooner Elvis Presley. For more on Destroy All Humans, check out our preview of the game from PAX East. If you're really keen on the remake, come get a closer look at the insane $399.99 collector's edition that comes with a Crypto backpack, a 60 cm tall figurine and a Crypto-shaped stress toy which may relieve your worries after such a bold purchase. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/12/destroy-all-humans-crypto-137-edition-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise finally has a release date following its surprise announcement during a Nintendo Direct. The sequel to the 2010 cult-hit will be released on July 10, 2020, for the Nintendo Switch. Deadly Premonition 2 lets you explore a new mystery as FBI Special Agent York. Set in both present-day Boston and the fictional town of Le Carré, Louisiana Deadly Premonition 2 is both a sequel and prequel to the original mystery game. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/28/deadly-premonition-2-a-blessing-in-disguise-release-date-trailer"] The new trailer doesn’t reveal too much new information, but Rising Star Games and Toybox released a handful of new screenshots featuring the returning FBI agent in the new town. Other new characters include Agents Davis and Jones who are tracking down their own mysterious serial killer. Like in the first Deadly Premonition, A Blessing in Disguise features an open-ended adventure with a sandbox explorable by foot or skateboard. There will also be a variety of mini-games like bowling, bayou rides, skateboard challenges, and more, as well as character customization for you and your skateboard. Basically, the big reveal here is that you get to ride around town on a skateboard. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=deadly-premonition-2-a-blessing-in-disguise-screenshots&captions=true"] As part of a promotion, the first Deadly Premonition is 50% off on the Nintendo eShop right now through May 17. Read our original Deadly Premonition review here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s co-director Tetsuya Nomura has said that he would like to deliver the next part of Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s story quickly, and to do so would require focusing on a “smaller portion” of the overall plot. The quote comes from an interview in Final Fantasy VII Remake Ultimania, a guide and lore book now available in Japan. The quotes were shared online by Twitter account aibo and translated by IGN Japan, and include this snippet from producer Yoshinori Kitase and co-director Nomura. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/06/final-fantasy-7-remake-review"] When asked about how many parts the remake will compirse of, Kitase said: "We have a rough idea on that, but it’s not been completely decided yet. It’s impossible to talk about this right now. It seems that many people think it will become a trilogy." "It all depends on how many parts we make,” said Nomura. “If we separate it into bigger chunks it will take more time, but if we take smaller portions it can be done on a shorter span. Personally, I would like to deliver it fast.” By smaller portions, it seems that Nomura is suggesting that - like the first game in the series - subsequent games will focus on parts of the storyline that take just a few hours to play out. Taking into consideration Final Fantasy 7’s very varied world, with its multitude of styles from area to area, it’s easy to see how focusing on a smaller portion would help speed up production. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=final-fantasy-7-remake-25-new-images&captions=true"] To cover the remaining plot of the original game in a trilogy format- including weaving in new narrative changes and expanded areas akin to the first game - would mean for two further massive games that would arguably need to be much larger than the first. As Kitase points out, the final number of games has yet to be decided, but Nomura’s comments about preferring to take smaller chunks suggest that this project could be larger than just three games. For more on Final Fantasy 7 Remake and where it may go next, check out our ending explained guide, and the news that the next game is already in the works. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

Riot has changed Valorant's anti-cheat system to allow it to be turned off when not in use.

Phil Spencer has talked up an Xbox Series X feature that he believes will "dramatically" change the feel of games, to the point of difference between 2D and 3D gaming - Dynamic Latency Input. In response to a question on Twitter about what technology will usher in the next generation of gaming with the launch of the Xbox Series X, Spencer noted the importance of Dynamic Latency Input, or DLI.

RT on console will be great. I'm very focused on the work we are doing around Dynamic Latency Input (DLI). In my view the feel of games this upcoming generation will change as dramatically as any since 2D to 3D given CPU upgrade, DLI, memory bandwidth and SSD.

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) April 27, 2020

It's worth noting that what Spencer is talking about here is the feeling of playing games on Series X, not the quality of the games themselves. But what exactly is DLI? According to this Xbox blog post all about latency from last month, Dynamic Latency Input is a new system within the Xbox Series X which "synchronizes input immediately with what is displayed," making controls more "precise and responsive." On a more technical level, the controller will transmit input to the console "just before the game asks for it" which will keep the player's analog (triggers and sticks) and digital (button press) inputs in sync with the game they're playing. This is said to "significantly lower" controller latency, and all without harming the battery life of the input device. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/07/the-technology-behind-xbox-series-x"] Latency, in terms of a controller, is the time it takes for data to transfer to the console from your input device and be represented on-screen. You may have heard of input lag, which is where your button or trigger presses feel out of sync with the gameplay you're observing - this is due to latency issues. In many high-intensity fighting or shooter games, input latency can cause massive problems, but Xbox Series X plans to fix that, with that blog post noting that there will be "no more blaming the controller when you don't get off that final hit in a fighting game." Spencer has been "very focused" on DLI during the development of the forthcoming console, and believes that it is part of an important shift in how games will feel in the next-generation, which he likened to the jump from "2D to 3D." Spencer believes that DLI will complement other new features like CPU upgrades, extra memory bandwidth and the introduction of SSDs to truly change the way that games feel. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/13/xbox-series-x-console-announcement-trailer"] In more Xbox Series X news, Phil Spencer recently pointed out that there "won't be too much of a wait" for new game reveals, so watch this space! Xbox Series X is scheduled to be released during Holiday 2020. Right now we know the Xbox Series X specs, we have an educated guess on its price based on those specs, and a full comparison with PS5. What we know far less about is Xbox Series X games, but we have a list of confirmed and rumoured titles for the next-gen console. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Sir Terry Pratchett's Narrativia is looking to expand the Discworld universe with a new series of "truly authentic" screen adaptations after striking a development deal with Endeavor Content and Motive Pictures. Narrativia, the production company launched by Pratchett in 2012, recently announced the exclusive partnership, which will bring the treasured world of the Discworld fantasy novel series to screens in the form of "prestige adaptations that remain absolutely faithful" to Pratchett's original, unique genius. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/05/31/amazons-good-omens-miniseries-review"] Discworld spans a beloved series of novels that have sold in excess of 100 million copies globally, and the adaptations are said to be forged from a shared love of the original source material, as well as a mutual commitment towards creating an epic series. "Discworld teems with unique characters, witty narrative and incredible literary tropes, and we feel these should be realized on screen in a form that my father would be proud of," said Rhianna Pratchett, co-director of Narrativia. "It's wonderful to embark on this journey with Motive and Endeavor Content, who both perfectly share our vision to make this a reality." All 41 of the Discworld novels take place on a flat, circular world that balances on the back of four elephants, which stand on the back of a giant star turtle, however, each individual story explores a multitude of human issues. It is not yet known which Discworld novels are set for adaptation under the landmark new partnership. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/05/good-omens-cast-respond-to-ign-comments"] Rob Wilkins, managing director of Narrativia, said of the development: "The Discworld books are a huge source of joy to millions of readers, and rightly so; every paragraph, phrase and footnote was crafted with brilliance and flair and we are committed to bringing Terry's world to the screen with the respect and care it deserves. With this partnership, we are delighted to say that Discworld has finally found its home." Simon Maxwell, CEO of Motive Pictures, added: "Discworld is a national treasure and we are thrilled to be forging this new partnership with Narrativia and Endeavor Content. Together we will produce shows that will be loved by millions of Discworld fans worldwide, whilst also opening up Sir Terry Pratchett’s epic creations and legacy to new audiences. We launched Motive to make high quality British shows with global scale and impact and I can think of nothing that exemplifies that ambition more than this hugely exciting partnership." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=10-best-tv-shows-you-probably-didnt-watch-in-2019&captions=true"] This comes shortly after BBC America ordered The Watch, a multi-part TV series based on the City Watch subset of novels in the Discworld series. Last year, the Good Omens novel, written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, was made into a miniseries by BBC Studios and Amazon Studios. The upcoming series of adaptations are expected to kick off with some of the most iconic titles in Sir Terry's fiercely incisive and satirical universe. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

The comic book industry has been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many stores shutting down and Marvel and DC's distributor halting shipments of new books. DC's Publisher Jim Lee is one of many comic creators doing what they can to help struggling stores, and he gave IGN an exclusive look at his latest charity sketch art. Lee is currently in the midst of an ambitious charitable effort, drawing one sketch every day for 60 days in a row, each featuring a different DC character. Today's creation features the Clown Prince of Crime himself. Check out the incredible Joker artwork below: And if you want to take a peek at the past 25 days' worth of amazing DC sketches, we've put together a gallery of all Lee's sketches so far: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=superstar-artist-jim-lee-sketches-the-dc-universe&captions=true"] You can head over to eBay if you want to bid on this or other upcoming sketches. Each auction remains open for three days, and the winner of each auction is allowed to choose the next character Lee draws. All proceeds from these auctions are being donated to the Comic Book United Fund, which is managed by the Book Industry Charitable Foundation and aimed at providing financial relief to comic book retailers struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic. According to DC, Lee's sketches alone have already raised over $200,000 for the CBUF, and combined with other charitable auctions from creators like Art Adams, Ivan Reis, Sam Keith and J. Scott Campbell, the total raised is over $300,000. Additionally, DC has pledged $250,000 to the charity. This isn't the first outreach effort Lee has helped spearhead at DC. Last year Lee was among a group of DC employees who traveled to Kuwait, and he taught US troops how to draw Batman. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/27/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-the-last-ronin-miniseries-announced"] It remains to be seen how much lasting impact the pandemic will have on the industry. Some comics pros have suggested a new Marvel vs. DC crossover may be just the thing to lure readers back into shops. But even if that project doesn't materialize, there are plenty of great comics to look forward to in 2020. [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.