Filming of the Friends Reunion Special for HBO Max has been postponed for at least two months amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer were all set to return to the original soundstage, where the show started out about 25 years ago, to film the unscripted special on March 23 and March 24, but production has now been pushed back until at least May. A source told EW that the cast reunion remained on target to debut on HBO Max at launch. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=everything-coming-to-hbo-max&captions=true"] The reunion special was officially given the green light in February of this year, just a few months after reports of its development had surfaced in November. In the formal announcement, Kevin Reilly, the chief content officer of HBO Max and president of TBS, TNT, and truTV, said: "Guess you could call this the one where they all got back together — we are reuniting with David, Jennifer, Courteney, Matt, Lisa, and Matthew for an HBO Max special that will be programmed alongside the entire Friends library. "I became aware of Friends when it was in the very early stages of development and then had the opportunity to work on the series many years later and have delighted in seeing it catch on with viewers generation after generation. It taps into an era when friends – and audiences – gathered together in real-time and we think this reunion special will capture that spirit, uniting original and new fans." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-delayed-movie-due-to-coronavirus-so-far&captions=true"] The Friends Reunion Special joins a growing list of movie and TV productions affected by COVID-19, including Amazon's Lord of the Rings TV series, which has suspended production for at least two weeks, Netflix's The Witcher Season 2, which has also paused filming for two weeks in London, and FX's Fargo Season 4, which has been put on hiatus, and as a result, the show's April 19 premiere date has also been pushed. As we continue to update you on the industry shifts and delays, remember to please take a look at our list of recommendations to help, and stay safe, during the Coronavirus pandemic. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai has said that development on the game's next DLC fighters may have to go on hold indefinitely while Japan and the rest of the world struggle with COVID-19. Sakurai explained in his latest Famitsu magazine column (translated by IGN Japan) that just one patient at developer Sora's office would prevent any work on new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/30/super-smash-bros-ultimate-byleth-dlc-review"] “If someone is found to be infected, the entire building will be closed down and development will be halted altogether,” he said. In light of this, Sakurai explained that there was little point in announcing who the next fighter is, as they may not be able to follow through with plans. “Even if we did theoretically announce a new fighter, it’s possible that development would not continue as planned,” he explained. “Novel Coronavirus has cast a long shadow on game production,” he added. “Various software may be delayed or cancelled, but there’s nothing we can do about it. If people aren’t at work, then of course nothing will proceed as planned.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=even-more-characters-we-want-in-super-smash-bros-ultimate-pt-1&captions=true"] Many studios around the world now have staff working from home, allowing development to proceed while also allowing the recommended social-distancing tactics of pandemic prevention to play out. It appears from Sakurai’s comments that staff on the Super Smash Bros. project may not be currently able to work at home, or at least that move would severely impede development. So far news of game delays have been minimal - Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Cyberpunk 2077 are still on track to hit their intended release dates - but the events side of gaming has been severely impacted, including the cancellation of E3 2020 and the potential cancellation of Gamescom. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai has said that development on the game's next DLC fighters may have to go on hold indefinitely while Japan and the rest of the world struggle with COVID-19. Sakurai explained in his latest Famitsu magazine column (translated by IGN Japan) that just one patient at developer Sora's office would prevent any work on new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/30/super-smash-bros-ultimate-byleth-dlc-review"] “If someone is found to be infected, the entire building will be closed down and development will be halted altogether,” he said. In light of this, Sakurai explained that there was little point in announcing who the next fighter is, as they may not be able to follow through with plans. “Even if we did theoretically announce a new fighter, it’s possible that development would not continue as planned,” he explained. “Novel Coronavirus has cast a long shadow on game production,” he added. “Various software may be delayed or cancelled, but there’s nothing we can do about it. If people aren’t at work, then of course nothing will proceed as planned.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=even-more-characters-we-want-in-super-smash-bros-ultimate-pt-1&captions=true"] Many studios around the world now have staff working from home, allowing development to proceed while also allowing the recommended social-distancing tactics of pandemic prevention to play out. It appears from Sakurai’s comments that staff on the Super Smash Bros. project may not be currently able to work at home, or at least that move would severely impede development. So far news of game delays have been minimal - Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Cyberpunk 2077 are still on track to hit their intended release dates - but the events side of gaming has been severely impacted, including the cancellation of E3 2020 and the potential cancellation of Gamescom. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

A new Pokemon Sword and Shield event will allow players to catch some Pokemon that are exclusive to the version they do not own. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/09/pokemon-sword-and-pokemon-shield-galarian-ponyta-trailer"] As reported by Serebii.net, a selection of version-exclusive Pokemon will be available through Max Raid Battles in the Wild Area. Pokemon Shield owners will finally be able to get their hands on Farfetch’d without trading, while Pokemon Sword players can catch a Ponyta in the wild. The special event doesn’t appear to be making every version exclusive Pokemon available - it appears that you won’t be able to get the Legendaries - but logging on between March 19 - March 26 will certainly make it possible to fill several gaps in your Pokedex. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-new-and-returning-pokemon-announced-for-the-sword-and-shield-expansion-pass&captions=true"] This is a rare move for Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, as version-exclusive Pokemon typically stay that way in order to encourage players to trade with each other or even buy both versions of the game. To see the different monsters available for each game, check out our Pokemon Sword and Shield versions guide. We've also got a guide to all the event Pokemon added to the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter.

A new Pokemon Sword and Shield event will allow players to catch some Pokemon that are exclusive to the version they do not own. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/09/pokemon-sword-and-pokemon-shield-galarian-ponyta-trailer"] As reported by Serebii.net, a selection of version-exclusive Pokemon will be available through Max Raid Battles in the Wild Area. Pokemon Shield owners will finally be able to get their hands on Farfetch’d without trading, while Pokemon Sword players can catch a Ponyta in the wild. The special event doesn’t appear to be making every version exclusive Pokemon available - it appears that you won’t be able to get the Legendaries - but logging on between March 19 - March 26 will certainly make it possible to fill several gaps in your Pokedex. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-new-and-returning-pokemon-announced-for-the-sword-and-shield-expansion-pass&captions=true"] This is a rare move for Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, as version-exclusive Pokemon typically stay that way in order to encourage players to trade with each other or even buy both versions of the game. To see the different monsters available for each game, check out our Pokemon Sword and Shield versions guide. We've also got a guide to all the event Pokemon added to the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter.

Evo 2020, this year’s event in the long-running fighting games tournament, is still planning to go ahead, despite the current COVID-19 pandemic concerns.

An important message from the Evo team... pic.twitter.com/jUuiQSIITz

— EVO (@EVO) March 18, 2020

The Evo team posted a statement on Twitter, explaining that while the event could still be postponed or cancelled if the coronavirus situation continues, plans are still moving forward with the idea that the event will go ahead July 31 - August 2. “At this time, Evo is moving forward with its plans to hold the event July 31-August 2, 2020 at Mandalay Bay (subject to its re-opening) but we are actively monitoring updates from the WHO, CDC, local governments, and public health agencies regarding COVID-19 and continuing to asses the situation,” says the announcement. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/05/marvel-vs-capcom-2-to-celebrate-20th-anniversary-at-evo-2020-ign-news"] The message comes with a promise that should Evo 2020 be forced to postpone or cancel, all ticket purchases will be refunded. If Evo 2020 is cancelled, it will be far from the first event impacted by COVID-19. E3 2020 has been officially cancelled, as have many more games events. Real-life fighting tournament WrestleMania 36 has also been made a non-public event, and many movies have been delayed. Similar to Evo, summer games expo Gamescom is still planning to go ahead, but will offer refunds if forced to cancel. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="legacyId=20103840&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

Evo 2020, this year’s event in the long-running fighting games tournament, is still planning to go ahead, despite the current COVID-19 pandemic concerns.

An important message from the Evo team... pic.twitter.com/jUuiQSIITz

— EVO (@EVO) March 18, 2020

The Evo team posted a statement on Twitter, explaining that while the event could still be postponed or cancelled if the coronavirus situation continues, plans are still moving forward with the idea that the event will go ahead July 31 - August 2. “At this time, Evo is moving forward with its plans to hold the event July 31-August 2, 2020 at Mandalay Bay (subject to its re-opening) but we are actively monitoring updates from the WHO, CDC, local governments, and public health agencies regarding COVID-19 and continuing to asses the situation,” says the announcement. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/05/marvel-vs-capcom-2-to-celebrate-20th-anniversary-at-evo-2020-ign-news"] The message comes with a promise that should Evo 2020 be forced to postpone or cancel, all ticket purchases will be refunded. If Evo 2020 is cancelled, it will be far from the first event impacted by COVID-19. E3 2020 has been officially cancelled, as have many more games events. Real-life fighting tournament WrestleMania 36 has also been made a non-public event, and many movies have been delayed. Similar to Evo, summer games expo Gamescom is still planning to go ahead, but will offer refunds if forced to cancel. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="legacyId=20103840&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

Untitled Goose Game has picked up another coveted Game of the Year gong at the 2020 Game Developers Choice Awards. The finalists for the grand prize included Outer Wilds, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Control, and Death Stranding, but Untitled Goose Game came out on top. “We really never, ever expected that our game would resonate with people in the way that it has,” said House House’s Michael McMaster in the studio’s recorded response. “So it’s very strange and incredibly nice to receive this award.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/20/untitled-goose-game-review"] Other notable success stories from the ceremony include Remedy Entertainment’s Control, which won awards for Best Audio, Best Technology, and Best Visual Art, and Disco Elysium, which won Best Narrative (plus Best Debut for Ukrainian developer ZA/UM). Death Stranding picked up the most nominations when the finalists were announced in early January (nominated in seven categories) but ultimately didn’t win any awards. The 2020 Game Developers Choice awards were presented via a pre-recorded livestream this year following the cancellation of the March conference due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Nominations for the Game Developers Choice Awards are finalised by the International Choice Awards Network, which is described as an “invitation-only group comprised of leading game creators from all parts of the video game industry.” Developers may not nominate a game that they are personally involved with. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/20/lets-play-untitled-goose-game-goose-facts-with-bruce-greene] Untitled Goose Game previously won big at this year’s 23rd annual D.I.C.E. Awards where it was the surprise winner of Game of the Year and also bolted away the awards for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game and Outstanding Achievement in Character. IGN’s review called Untitled Goose Game a brief but endlessly charming adventure that had us honking the whole way through, so it’s definitely worth a gander. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Luke is Games Editor at IGN's Sydney office. You can find him on Twitter every few days @MrLukeReilly.

Untitled Goose Game has picked up another coveted Game of the Year gong at the 2020 Game Developers Choice Awards. The finalists for the grand prize included Outer Wilds, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Control, and Death Stranding, but Untitled Goose Game came out on top. “We really never, ever expected that our game would resonate with people in the way that it has,” said House House’s Michael McMaster in the studio’s recorded response. “So it’s very strange and incredibly nice to receive this award.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/20/untitled-goose-game-review"] Other notable success stories from the ceremony include Remedy Entertainment’s Control, which won awards for Best Audio, Best Technology, and Best Visual Art, and Disco Elysium, which won Best Narrative (plus Best Debut for Ukrainian developer ZA/UM). Death Stranding picked up the most nominations when the finalists were announced in early January (nominated in seven categories) but ultimately didn’t win any awards. The 2020 Game Developers Choice awards were presented via a pre-recorded livestream this year following the cancellation of the March conference due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Nominations for the Game Developers Choice Awards are finalised by the International Choice Awards Network, which is described as an “invitation-only group comprised of leading game creators from all parts of the video game industry.” Developers may not nominate a game that they are personally involved with. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/20/lets-play-untitled-goose-game-goose-facts-with-bruce-greene] Untitled Goose Game previously won big at this year’s 23rd annual D.I.C.E. Awards where it was the surprise winner of Game of the Year and also bolted away the awards for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game and Outstanding Achievement in Character. IGN’s review called Untitled Goose Game a brief but endlessly charming adventure that had us honking the whole way through, so it’s definitely worth a gander. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Luke is Games Editor at IGN's Sydney office. You can find him on Twitter every few days @MrLukeReilly.

In an unprecedented move, GameStop just revealed via Twitter that it will be releasing DOOM Eternal beginning March 19th, a day early "as a safety precaution for our customers and associates" in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The reason for the early release is to separate it from Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which is also set to launch Friday with both titles expected to sell many, many copies. While the early launch is exciting for DOOM fans, Animal Crossing fans are upset that they couldn't begin their island getaway a day early. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=doom-eternal-january-2019-screenshots&captions=true"] This news comes on the heels of GameStop announcing it will be cancelling midnight launches for both DOOM Eternal and Animal Crossing: New Horizons in an effort to reduce social gathering. Additionally, it will also be limiting the amount of customers in store to 10 at any given time until further notice.

To ensure we adhere to CDC-recommended social distancing guidelines, we will be selling DOOM Eternal a day early on Thursday, 3/19 as a safety precaution for our customers and associates. Animal Crossing will release on Friday 3/20 to further help separate the crowds.

— GameStop (@GameStop) March 19, 2020

This isn't the first positive piece of news to stem from the COVID-19 outbreak as Universal announced recently that it will begin distributing theatrical releases early beginning March 20th including The Invisible Man, The Hunt, and Emma. Disney also surprised fans by releasing Frozen 2 on Disney+ three months earlier than expected. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/17/doom-eternal-single-player-review] Since DOOM is coming sooner than expected why not check out these 6 Things You Need to Know About DOOM Eternal before you jump in. Also, read our review for DOOM Eternal's single player campaign, which is one of the best we've played in years. Also, we've put together a page for tips on how you can help and stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matthew Adler is a News and Features writer for IGN who really wishes it were Animal Crossing that came early, but is happy to jump into DOOM Eternal instead. You can chat with him on Twitter or watch him on Twitch.