Everything We Know (and Don’t Know) About Fortnite Chapter 2: Season 2
When does Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 2 Start?
After announcing that Fortnite Season 2 wouldn’t start until February, Epic recently revealed that Chapter 2: Season 2 will begin on Thursday, February 20, 2020. This makes Chapter 2: Season 1's end date February 19, meaning players only have a few more weeks to finish completing this season's Weekly Challenges. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/24/fortnite-chapter-2-season-2-has-a-release-date"] Thursdays have become a traditional new season launch day for Epic, so this isn’t a huge surprise. In the past, downtime for the new season has started at 4 am ET / 1 am PT, and usually lasts for around an hour and a half. There isn’t any reason to expect things to be different this time around, but it's still worth noting that Epic hasn’t made an official comment on when downtime will begin quite yet. Players should look for that announcement a day or two before the new season begins, on the official Fortnite Twitter account.Is There a Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 1 End Event?
At the end of Fortnite Season X, of course, missiles destroyed the world, causing it to implode on itself. The result of the catastrophic event was a black hole, breaking the internet for 48 hours while Fortnite servers were down, and a brand new map. It’s unlikely that there will be an event of that magnitude to launch Chapter 2: Season 2, but we also can’t rule it out. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/14/fortnite-everything-we-know-about-the-blackhole-and-season-11-so-far"] Some leakers are proposing a theory that the Polar Peak monster from Season 9 might be returning to wreak havoc on the map. Specifically, leakers are theorizing that the Fortnite Chapter 2: Season 1 ending event might see the destruction of Pleasant Park, one of the final few original locations remaining. While this theory is still just a theory, leakers were able to find skin models of the ice monster in the Fortnite files, which could hint at its return. Further, some players have been experiencing a glitch at Pleasant Park, which seems to show the ground covered in mud — indicating that Epic is somehow planning to tweak, or destroy, Pleasant Park. However, at the end of the day, this is just one theory about the Fortnite Chapter 2: Season 1 end event, as no one other than Epic Games really knows how the season will come to a close.What's Included in the Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 2 Battle Pass?
As with most new seasons, we won’t really know much about the Season 2 Battle Pass until downtime is over and it's live. At this point, it’s safe to assume that the Season 2 Battle Pass will cost the typical 950 V-Bucks (around $10 USD) for the regular Battle Pass and 2,800 V-Bucks (around $28 USD) for the Premium Pass. Further, it will almost certainly feature tons of new skins, emotes, pickaxes, and more that players can earn as they make their way through the 100 tiers. Unfortunately, we won't know what the Battle Pass rewards are until things officially kick off later this month.Skins
As we mentioned above, plenty of new skins will be included in the Fortnite Chapter 2: Season 2 Battle Pass. Unfortunately, we don’t really know much about the new skins quite yet, except that they will probably have some sort of theme. For example, the theme of Chapter 2: Season 1 was good vs. evil, while previous seasons have been superhero and futuristic themed. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/19/fortnite-ninja-teaches-mark-hamill-the-ways-of-fortnite-video"] While a lot of skins will be available in the new Battle Pass, there will likely be some that will only be available in the Item Shop. It seems safe to assume that we will see more from the Fortnite Icon Series, which feature popular creator skins. So far, we’ve only gotten a Ninja skin, but Epic has promised that more creator skins are on the way!What Map Changes Are Coming to Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 2?
With the launch of Chapter 2, Epic introduced a completely new Fortnite map to the game, filled with new locations, terrains, and areas to explore. Since this was the first new map in ten seasons of Fortnite, it seems safe to assume that we won’t be getting a new map in Chapter 2: Season 2. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-map-location-in-fortnite-chapter-2-season-1&captions=true"] However, similar to previous seasons, Epic likely will destroy a few locations in the Season 1 end event to make room for a new location or two. As we mentioned earlier, some players believe that Epic has its eye set on destroying Pleasant Park, one of the final locations that have been in the game since it launched in 2017.What Are Fortnite Chaos Physics?
The first season of Chapter 2 has been a long one, in fact, it's the longest in Fortnite: Battle Royale history. While it might feel like the season is dragging on for no reason, Epic is hard at work switching to Unreal Engine’s Chaos Physics system. Switching engines definitely requires a lot of labor, testing, and tweaking, which is likely the reason Season 2 ended up being delayed until February. However, it seems that things are finally in order, as Chaos Physics is expected to be introduced with the v11.50 update early this month. With Fortnite switching game engines, this will likely allow developers to add in some new features and mechanics into the game. In a recent blog post, Epic teased that "Chapter 2 - Season 2 will feature [REDACTED] with multiple [REDACTED]. We can’t brief you on all of next Season’s secrets just yet..." This cryptic message seemingly indicates that there will be a few changes in Season 2, we just don't know what they are going to be quite yet. However, players shouldn’t expect Fortnite to change drastically, with Epic’s goal of wanting “Fortnite to feel like Fortnite.”What Is the Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 2 Two-Week Event?
Before Chapter 2: Season 1 wraps up, Epic is teasing a special two-week event that will fill the final two weeks of the season. While it hasn't announced what it is, it seems there are two main possibilities. Popular Fortnite leaker Lucas7Yoshi was able to dig up some challenges from recent update files that indicate a handful of Search and Destroy challenges that haven't made its way into the game yet. Further, Epic hasn’t announced when the Search and Destroy mode will be coming to the game, but the end of an incredibly long season seems like as good a time as any.The other theory is that there will be some kind of Fortnite x Birds of Prey crossover event. Towards the end of January, the official Fortnite Twitter account commented on a post from the Warner Bros. Twitter account saying “See you soon Harley!”Challenges pic.twitter.com/HxXU5I13pN
— Lucas7yoshi - Leaks/News (@Lucas7yoshi) January 17, 2020
With Birds of Prey set to release February 7 and Epic’s history of in-game, promotional crossover events, it is feasible that we might be getting a Birds of Prey event in Fortnite. However, it’s also possible that we could simply be getting a Harley Quinn skin or something similar. This is currently all we know about Fortnite Chapter 2: Season 2. Epic typically does a pretty good job of keeping things under wraps, so we will have to wait until the end of the month to see exactly what’s in store for the upcoming season. In the meantime, be sure to check out the official IGN Fortnite wiki page for help completing some of the most recent challenges before it’s too late. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Andrew Smith is a freelance contributor with IGN and is excited to see what's going to happen in Fortnite Season 2. Follow him on Twitter @_andrewtsmith.See you soon Harley!
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) January 24, 2020
Hamilton Movie to Release in October 2021 from Disney
Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette, Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan, Anthony Ramos as John Laurens and Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton.[/caption]
To be clear, this isn't a Hollywood adaptation of the original play, but a recording of a live Broadway performance featuring the original cast on stage at The Richard Rodgers Theatre. Disney's press release touts a technology called "live capture," with the goal of capturing the energy of a live performance while also giving viewers an intimacy that usually isn't possible from a stage musical.
For those somehow still unfamiliar with the wildly successful musical, Hamilton is a dramatization of the life of Founding Father and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, tracing his story from his arrival in New York City at the dawn of the Revolutionary War through his ill-fated duel with rival Aaron Burr in 1804. The musical features a unique combination of hip-hop, R&B, soul, and show tunes to help examine Hamilton's story through a modern lens.
Hamilton has met with widespread critical and commercial acclaim since debuting on Broadway in 2015. Tickets remain a hot commodity even now (with online bots ramping up the demand even further). The play has also inspired numerous pop culture homages and parodies, including a recent Easter egg in Gears of War 5.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/11/14/why-lin-manuel-miranda-wants-to-wait-for-a-hamilton-movie"]
The cast featured in the film recording includes Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler, Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr, Christopher Jackson as George Washington, Jonathan Groff as King George, Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton, Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.
“I fell in love with musical storytelling growing up with the legendary Howard Ashman-Alan Menken Disney collaborations – The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin,” said Miranda in a statement. “I’m so proud of what Tommy Kail has been able to capture in this filmed version of Hamilton – a live theatrical experience that feels just as immediate in your local movie theater. We’re excited to partner with Disney to bring the original Broadway company of Hamilton to the largest audience possible.”
Though Miranda no longer regularly performs in Hamilton, he's been keeping plenty busy of late. Miranda currently stars in the HBO fantasy series His Dark Materials. He also wrote a new song featured in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, as well as having a brief cameo appearance in the movie. Miranda's upcoming projects include writing new music for Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=59-movies-to-geek-out-over-in-2020&captions=true"]
While it may be a while yet before Hamilton is actually adapted for film, Miranda fans will soon find out how another of his famous plays makes the transition from stage to screen. Warner Bros.' adaptation of In the Heights is hitting theaters in June 2020, and is one of many films we're excited for 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.Hamilton Movie to Release in October 2021 from Disney
Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette, Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan, Anthony Ramos as John Laurens and Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton.[/caption]
To be clear, this isn't a Hollywood adaptation of the original play, but a recording of a live Broadway performance featuring the original cast on stage at The Richard Rodgers Theatre. Disney's press release touts a technology called "live capture," with the goal of capturing the energy of a live performance while also giving viewers an intimacy that usually isn't possible from a stage musical.
For those somehow still unfamiliar with the wildly successful musical, Hamilton is a dramatization of the life of Founding Father and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, tracing his story from his arrival in New York City at the dawn of the Revolutionary War through his ill-fated duel with rival Aaron Burr in 1804. The musical features a unique combination of hip-hop, R&B, soul, and show tunes to help examine Hamilton's story through a modern lens.
Hamilton has met with widespread critical and commercial acclaim since debuting on Broadway in 2015. Tickets remain a hot commodity even now (with online bots ramping up the demand even further). The play has also inspired numerous pop culture homages and parodies, including a recent Easter egg in Gears of War 5.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/11/14/why-lin-manuel-miranda-wants-to-wait-for-a-hamilton-movie"]
The cast featured in the film recording includes Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler, Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr, Christopher Jackson as George Washington, Jonathan Groff as King George, Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton, Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.
“I fell in love with musical storytelling growing up with the legendary Howard Ashman-Alan Menken Disney collaborations – The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin,” said Miranda in a statement. “I’m so proud of what Tommy Kail has been able to capture in this filmed version of Hamilton – a live theatrical experience that feels just as immediate in your local movie theater. We’re excited to partner with Disney to bring the original Broadway company of Hamilton to the largest audience possible.”
Though Miranda no longer regularly performs in Hamilton, he's been keeping plenty busy of late. Miranda currently stars in the HBO fantasy series His Dark Materials. He also wrote a new song featured in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, as well as having a brief cameo appearance in the movie. Miranda's upcoming projects include writing new music for Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=59-movies-to-geek-out-over-in-2020&captions=true"]
While it may be a while yet before Hamilton is actually adapted for film, Miranda fans will soon find out how another of his famous plays makes the transition from stage to screen. Warner Bros.' adaptation of In the Heights is hitting theaters in June 2020, and is one of many films we're excited for 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.Nintendo Switch Hacker Faces Jail Time and $260,000 Fine After FBI Investigation
Nintendo Switch Hacker Faces Jail Time and $260,000 After FBI Investigation
Wizards of the Coast Announces Studio to Develop New RPG
Check out the trailer below for a look at another recently announced Wizards of the Coast game, Magic: Legends.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/14/magic-legends-gameplay-trailer"]
Based in Austin, TX, Archetype Entertainment is led by James Ohlen, an ex-BioWare director and designer whose credits include Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age: Origins, among others. Accompanying Ohlen at Archetype is Chad Robertson, another ex-BioWare dev, who serves as the new studio's general manager and VP. Roberston most recently worked on Anthem as the head of live services. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dark-alliance-reveal-trailer-screens&captions=true"] Wizards of the Coast has made several recent announcements surrounding its game development business. At The Game Awards 2019, it announced Magic: Legends, a MMO action-RPG based on Magic the Gathering, and Dark Alliance, a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance coming to consoles and PC this fall. "Seven or eight" other games based on Dungeons & Dragons are currently planned, according to Wizards of the Coast President Chris Cocks. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN.Wizards of the Coast Announces Studio to Develop New RPG
Check out the trailer below for a look at another recently announced Wizards of the Coast game, Magic: Legends.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/14/magic-legends-gameplay-trailer"]
Based in Austin, TX, Archetype Entertainment is led by James Ohlen, an ex-BioWare director and designer whose credits include Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age: Origins, among others. Accompanying Ohlen at Archetype is Chad Robertson, another ex-BioWare dev, who serves as the new studio's general manager and VP. Roberston most recently worked on Anthem as the head of live services. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dark-alliance-reveal-trailer-screens&captions=true"] Wizards of the Coast has made several recent announcements surrounding its game development business. At The Game Awards 2019, it announced Magic: Legends, a MMO action-RPG based on Magic the Gathering, and Dark Alliance, a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance coming to consoles and PC this fall. "Seven or eight" other games based on Dungeons & Dragons are currently planned, according to Wizards of the Coast President Chris Cocks. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN.Platinum Games Is Teasing a New Game
However, with nothing else to go on aside from the Platinum4 website, we’ll have to wait for an official announcement from the studio. Platinum Games is currently confirmed to be working on Bayonetta 3 for Nintendo Switch and Babylon’s Fall which was announced in 2019.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/10/babylons-fall-gameplay-trailer"]
Platinum also recently announced the studio received a capital investment from Tencent which would help secure the company's future and allow it to venture into self-publishing. Platinum also said at the time to expect more announcements in 2020. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.Platinum Games Is Teasing a New Game
However, with nothing else to go on aside from the Platinum4 website, we’ll have to wait for an official announcement from the studio. Platinum Games is currently confirmed to be working on Bayonetta 3 for Nintendo Switch and Babylon’s Fall which was announced in 2019.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/10/babylons-fall-gameplay-trailer"]
Platinum also recently announced the studio received a capital investment from Tencent which would help secure the company's future and allow it to venture into self-publishing. Platinum also said at the time to expect more announcements in 2020. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.Nintendo Isn’t Worried About PS5, Xbox Series X
How will the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X affect the sales of the Nintendo Switch when they launch in Holiday 2020? According to Nintendo, not that much, actually.
This is what Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said during the Japanese Q&A section (translated by VGC) of the investors meeting the company held last week.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/27/how-will-nintendo-deal-with-ps5-and-xbox-series-x"]
“We will explain the specific figures for the next fiscal year in our next fiscal year announcement, but I think there will certainly be a change in the environment as new products of our competitors appear,” Furukawa said.
He then explained the reason for this thinking is that there isn't much audience crossover between those two next-gen consoles and the Nintendo Switch, saying “we do not believe that the business trends of other companies will have a significant impact on our business.”
In another response, Furukawa said that the Nintendo Switch is about halfway through its life cycle. As the Switch was released in March 2017, what Furukawa says here could indicate that Nintendo don't plan on releasing a new console until 2023.
Considering that the Switch has now reached over 50 million sales, surpassing the Super Nintendo's lifetime sales, there's plenty of reason for Nintendo to be confident in its latest console.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=15-big-nintendo-switch-games-coming-in-2020-and-4-guesses&captions=true"]
Plus, Nintendo has just revealed a new Animal Crossing: New Horizons special edition Nintendo Switch, which is due out on March 13, 2020 and will probably sell like mad. Previously, there had been rumours of a Nintendo Switch Pro model due out this year, but Nintendo has now squashed those rumours.
What Nintendo has in store for the rest of 2020 is a bit of a mystery. But we know that the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Metroid Prime 4, and Bayonetta 3 are still on the way - though not necessarily in 2020.
Hopefully our list of Nintendo Switch games coming out in 2020 expands soon.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]Chris Priestman is a freelancer who writes news for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.
