Why Batman Readers Are in an Awkward Spot Right Now
The current volume of Batman has been one of DC's best monthly titles since it debuted back in spring 2016. Between writer Tom King's deeply introspective approach to the Dark Knight and a rotating art team featuring some of the very best in the business, there's a lot to love about the series. Unfortunately, it's also a comic that can frustrate as often as enthrall readers, particularly those who follow it monthly rather than waiting for the trade paperback collections. The series' current story arc, "Knightmares," is proving to be an especially uncomfortable reminder of that fact.
Warning: spoilers for Batman ahead!
Currently, the series is exploring the fallout of Batman #50 and the revelation that Bane is quietly manipulating Bruce's life from behind the scenes. In recent months, we've seen Bane orchestrate the collapse of Batman's engagement to Catwoman, cause him to wrongfully target Mister Freeze for the murders of three women, nearly kill Nightwing and manipulate Batman into turning on Commissioner Gordon. Bane's latest master stroke came at the end of Batman #60, where Bruce was confronted by a man who appears to be Thomas Wayne of the Flashpoint universe.
Crackdown 3 Is Part Science Experiment, Part Video Game
Crackdown 3 has been through a lot. Plenty of games have – making video games is immensely difficult, after all – but the difference is that Crackdown 3’s issues have been on public display. It’s suffered delays, big hype around new technology, developer shifts, iffy showings at major conventions, and more delays. But unlike former first-party peers Fable Legends and Scalebound, Crackdown 3 was spared Phil Spencer’s guillotine and here it is, finally releasing on February 15. Surely there must’ve been a reason why it has lived while the others died?
Ostensibly, that reason is because Crackdown 3 – and specifically its Wrecking Zone multiplayer mode – is a Trojan horse for the ballyhooed cloud-powered multiplayer technology it’s premiering. Microsoft Senior Creative Director Joseph Staten told me as much: “
Daily Deals: Philips 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD OLED TV for £999
If you buy something through this post, IGN may get a share of the sale. For more, read our Terms of Use.
Like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter for the latest deals.
Looking to get a TV for your gaming? Find the best 4K TVs for Gaming here.
IGN UK Podcast #473: The Kid Who Would Be Joe Cornish
This week we create a potential paradox by putting Joe 'Sounds like Joe Cornish' Skrebels in a room with Joe 'I am Joe Cornish' Cornish. Mr Cornish tell us all about his latest film, The Kid Who Would Be King and surprisingly, Just Cause 4. Yes, we know what you're thinking, we also asked him about The Prestige, so don't worry.
The regular boys in the form of Dale, Cardy and Joe are also around and are talking Kingdom Heart and Alita: Battle Angel. There's also the return of The Endless Search™. Enjoy!
IGN UK Podcast #473: The Kid Who Would Be Joe Cornish
And remember, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, please do: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com
Nintendo to Open Its First Official Store in Japan
Later this year, Nintendo is set to open Nintendo TOKYO, its first official store in Japan.
Revealed during Nintendo's financial results briefing, Nintendo is hoping that Nintendo TOKYO will "be a new point of contact between consumers and Nintendo that a wide range of people, regardless of age, gender, or experience with games can enjoy."
In addition to merchandise, Nintendo plans on hosting events in a similar way as Nintendo's New York store, as well as this shop ideally being a "new base for communicating Nintendo information in Japan."
Nintendo TOKYO is scheduled to open in Fall of 2019 in the tentatively named Shibuya Parco building in Tokyo, Japan.
Nintendo Focused on Expanding the Reach of Its IP
Nintendo is focused on expanding the reach of its IP by "actively leveraging the worldwide ubiquity of smart devices and on
IP expansion business, which includes theme parks, video content, and character merchandising."
During Nintendo's financial results briefing, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa discussed how Nintendo has evolved its strategy of "gaming population expansion" during the Nintendo DS and Wii era to its new focus to "expand the number of people who have access to Nintendo IP."
Nintendo's "gaming population expansion" strategy was adopted due to a preconceived notion that "games were only for a select group of fans," and it wanted to ensure everyone could game, "regardless of age, gender, or gaming experience."
Nintendo Switch Online Surpasses 8 Million Subscribers
Since its launch in September of 2018, Nintendo Switch Online has gained over eight million subscribers, not including free trials.
During Nintendo's financial results briefing, it revealed the milestone for Nintendo Switch's online service and said that it is "working on continuing to expand the service offerings."
While it currently provides subscribers with such features as cloud saves, online play, and an ever-growing library of NES games, there have been reports that SNES games may be added to the service in the future.
Nintendo Reveals Release Window for Super Mario Bros. Animated Movie
Nintendo has announced that the Super Mario Bros. animated movie is scheduled to be released in theaters in 2022.
During Nintendo's financial results briefing, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed that "the development of animated film based on “Super Mario Bros.” with Illumination is moving along for an anticipated theatrical release around 2022."
Revealed in early 2018, this new film will be "co-produced by Nintendo representative director Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri."
How Arrow is Building Toward a Future That Doesn’t Include Oliver Queen
The CW’s “Elseworlds” crossover was definitely an entertaining spectacle, but the most exciting aspect of this year’s annual Arrowverse mashup was what it revealed about where the CW’s superhero universe might be headed. Not only are we now officially slated to get the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” adaptation every DC fan has been praying for since The Flash pilot aired, it seems as though the network may be considering what to do with the series that started it all.
Arrow will wrap up its seventh season this year, and the dangling “Elseworlds” plot thread of a mysterious deal between Green Arrow Oliver Queen and multiverse guardian the Monitor leaves the CW with several options for how to continue it. The CW has just renewed Arrow (and the other DC TV shows) for another season, but at the moment there’s no guarantee that it will look anything like the show we’re watching now. Why? Well, for starters, it feels a lot like Arrow could be looking for a way to write out its lead. According to THR, CW boss Mark Pedowitz "said it's highly likely that the 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' crossover would feature a character death" when speaking to reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour this week.
The CW Renews All Arrowverse Shows, Riverdale, and More
The CW has officially renewed 10 shows for the 2019-2020 television season, including all of the Arrowverse shows, Riverdale and more.
These early renewals were announced by CW president Mark Pedowitz during the network’s session at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, California. Returning shows include Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, Charmed, Dynasty, Legacies, Riverdale and Supernatural.
"The early renewal of these signature CW series gives us a head start on laying out the 2019-2020 season, and this is just the beginning,” said Pedowitz. “These shows provide a strong foundation for our multiplatform programming strategy, and we look forward to building on this with even more returning and new shows as we approach the May upfront.”