Heads Up: You Can Preorder Subscriptions to Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo's paid online service doesn't have a concrete release date, but you can now buy a prepaid subscription and prepare yourself for the inevitable.
A 12-month Nintendo Switch Online subscription is available for $19.99 at Amazon right now, while a 3-month Nintendo Switch Online subscription is available for $7.99. The product page says Amazon will email you once the service is available.
During its earnings report in April, Nintendo said it planned to reveal more details on its Switch online service in early May. One of Nintendo's biggest announcements regarding the Switch's online service is its cloud saves for Switch games. No further, concrete details were given at the time, other than an acknowledgement of the Switch cloud saves future existence.
Chris Hardwick Returning to Talking Dead
Chris Hardwick will be returning as host of Talking Dead and Talking with Chris Hardwick, IGN has learned.
AMC has issued a statement about reinstating Hardwick following the host's suspension after allegations of abuse from Hardwick's ex-girlfriend, Chloe Dykstra, were published in a Medium post without mentioning Hardwick by name.
“Following a comprehensive assessment by AMC, working with Ivy Kagan Bierman of the firm Loeb & Loeb, who has considerable experience in this area, Chris Hardwick will return to AMC as the host of Talking Dead and Talking with Chris Hardwick. We take these matters very seriously and given the information available to us after a very careful review, including interviews with numerous individuals, we believe returning Chris to work is the appropriate step," the statement reads.
HBO Boss Says Westworld Is ‘Not for Casual Viewers’
HBO programming chief Casey Bloys addressed Westworld Season 2's fan backlash, saying the show is "not for casual viewers."
During the Television Critics Association summer press tour, Bloys was asked what he thought of the “widespread backlash” the show received for being too complex in its sophomore run. With its several Emmy nominations, including one for Best Drama, Bloys isn't too worried about the supposed negative fan reaction.
“I’m not sure I would agree that the backlash was ‘widespread,'” Bloys said. “We’re thrilled about the Emmy nominations. What I love about Westworld is that the people who love it really love it.
Paladins is Now Free on Nintendo Switch
Last month, Hi-Rez Studios launched Paladins: Champions of the Realm for the Nintendo Switch. The hero shooter, which shares many similarities to Overwatch, is free-to-play on other platforms, but at the time of its release on Switch was only available through purchase of the Founder's Pack for $29.99.
At the time of its release, the developers stated that a free-to-play version would be available later this summer, and apparently, that time is now. Players can now enjoy Paladins for free on Nintendo Switch by downloading the free version from the eShop.
As we initially reported, Paladins supports cross-play between the Nintendo Switch and Xbox One versions, though cross-play with PlayStation 4 users is still unavailable. The hero shooter runs at 60 frames per second on Switch and is regularly updated with new content. The most recent update added a new Champion, a new map, and numerous bug fixes.
Kelsey Grammer Eyeing Frasier Reboot
Kelsey Grammer is reportedly eyeing the possibility of rebooting Frasier.
According to Deadline, the reboot would take place outside of Seattle, where the original series was set, and could feature new characters. Frasier Crane would be the link between the two series.
Grammer is reportedly meeting with writers to figure out how to launch the reboot, though Grammer and CBS TV Studios (which distributes Frasier) declined to comment.
No Man’s Sky Multiplayer Unavailable on DRM-Free GOG Version Until Later This Year
Owners of the DRM-free version of No Man's Sky, which can only be purchased at GOG.com, will not be gaining access to the multiplayer features that have just been added in No Man's Sky NEXT update until later this year.
In a joint statement on the GOG.com forums, GOG and No Man's Sky developer Hello Games explained that while "the DRM-free edition of No Man's Sky will include all single-player content introduced by NEXT: third-person mode, upgraded visuals, better base building, player customization, and more," multiplayer will not be ready at launch.
Marvel Just Completely Changed Venom’s Origin
Forget whatever you thought you knew about the history of Venom and his symbiote costume, because Marvel just debuted a radical new origin story for this ex-Spider-Man villain.
Warning: this article contains spoilers for Venom #4!
Previous stories have established that the Venom symbiote is a member of an alien race called the Klyntar. While the Klyntar as a whole are a peaceful race, the Venom symbiote was driven into a bloodthirsty rage during its time away from home until it was finally cured during Brian Michael Bendis' Guardians of the Galaxy run. This issue doesn't necessarily eliminate any of that backstory, but it does reveal that the story is much deeper and more complicated than fans ever realized.
Detective Pikachu Movie Moves to Warner Bros.
Detective Pikachu will now be distributed by Warner Bros. instead of Universal.
THR reports Detective Pikachu is still set to hit theaters on May 10, 2019. The film, which will see Ryan Reynolds voice the titular character, could reportedly be the start of a new distribution deal between Legendary and Warner Bros.
Meanwhile, Legendary and Universal's four-year distribution deal recently came to an end and the two studios are not expected to renew their partnership.
Alongside Reynolds, the rest of the film's cast includes Ken Watanabe as Detective Yoshida, Justice Smith, and Kathryn Newton as Lucy, among a few others.
Netflix in Aug: Ozark, Good Place, Batman Begins and More
Netflix unleashes another avalanche of Originals this August, along with movies like Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, the Coens' No Country for Old Men, Martin Scorsese's The Aviator, Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino, and Kevin Smith's Clerks - plus Constantine, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
You'll also be able to check out Season 2 of The Good Place, along with the most recent runs of The Originals and The 100.
Ozark, which just garnered Jason Bateman an Emmy nomination, returns for a second season while The Simpsons' Matt Groening hits us with his adult animated comedy, Disenchantment. Also - and this is the case every few months now - new Voltron!
Extremely Detailed Hogwarts Castle Is One of LEGO’s Biggest Sets Ever
LEGO has unveiled a new Hogwarts Castle Lego set, and it's a whopper.
Coming in at over 22 inches tall, 27 inches wide and 16 inches deep, the set consists of over 6,000 pieces and clocks in at $399 US.
Recommended for builders ages 16 and up, it features various towers, turrets, chambers, classrooms, creatures, the Whomping Willow, Hagrid's hut and so much more. It comes with four minifigures: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw. It also comes with 27 microfigures, including Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Snape, Voldemort, assorted students and more.
The centerpiece of the castle is the Great Hall with buildable replica stained glass windows, house banners, tables, torches and more. The castle comes with moving staircases, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, the chessboard chamber and Devil's Snare room from The Sorcerer's Stone, the Flying Ford Angela car from the Chamber of Secrets, and the Goblet of Fire from, you guessed it, The Goblet of Fire.