How to Watch the 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards
The 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards is right around the corner, and you'll be able to watch the event right here on IGN.
The event celebrates excellence in AAA and indie gaming, as voted on by gaming fans. This year, a total of 46 games have been nominated across all categories, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, PUBG, Horizon Zero Dawn, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, and Cuphead leading the charge, each with six nominations.
Read on for a rundown of when, where, and how to watch the 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards.
The SXSW Gaming Awards will take place on Saturday, March 17 at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET (Sunday, March 18 at 1:00 a.m. UK/12:00 p.m. AET). The event will be streamed live from the Hilton Austin Downtown in Austin, Texas.
Black Panther 2 Will ‘Absolutely’ Happen, says Marvel Studios Head
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has confirmed a Black Panther sequel will indeed happen.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Feige revealed Black Panther 2 is definitely a part of Marvel Studios' future plans for the MCU. "Nothing specific to reveal, other than to say we absolutely will do that," Feige said when asked about the studio's plans for a Black Panther sequel. "One of the favorite pastimes at Marvel Studios is sitting around on a Part One and talking and dreaming about what we would do in a Part Two."
Though Feige did not provide any further details about the sequel or what it might be about, he did tease Marvel already has a few story ideas and a "solid direction" for Black Panther 2. "There have been plenty of those conversations as we were putting together the first Black Panther," Feige said. "We have ideas and a pretty solid direction on where we want to head with the second one."
Captain Marvel Is the First Superhero Nick Fury Meets
Captain Marvel will take place before Nick Fury knew superheroes existed.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige revealed Carol Danvers (aka Captain Marvel) is actually the first hero Nick Fury meets in the MCU. According to Feige, Marvel wanted to explore a time period when Nick Fury did not know about this larger universe of superheroes existing.
"You know, we first met Nick when he told Tony, 'You’re part of a big universe. You just don’t know yet,'" Feige said. "Well, we want to go back to a time when he didn’t know it yet, and really showcase and announce that Carol Danvers was that first hero that Nick came across. That meant she could be the singular hero, but place it within timing of the MCU."
Pacific Rim Uprising Exclusive Clip and VFX Breakdown Site
Pacific Rim Uprising swoops into theaters March 23rd and to whet your appetite for it even more then you need to watch this exclusive clip we have for you today.
The clip, seen in the player above, features a battle between two Jaegers. The first is the good guy Jaeger piloted by Jake Pentecost (John Boyega) and Nate Lambert (Scott Eastwood), who are squaring off against the rogue Jaeger known as Obsidian Fury.
As you can see from the VFX-packed clip, the Jaegers in this sequel move far more gracefully than they did even in the 2013 original film.
To find out more about how the VFX for Pacific Rim Uprising were accomplished, check out this new visual effects breakdown site that shows you the stages of various VFX shots.
Last of Us Creative Director Promoted to VP of Naughty Dog
Neil Druckmann has been promoted to vice president of Naughty Dog.
"In recognition of his expanded role, contributing on critical, studio level decisions, Neil Druckmann is now vice president of Naughty Dog," studio president Evan Wells said in a post on the developer's official blog. "He's been a vital part of the management team for some time now, and we're proud to formally acknowledge his involvement."
Wells also confirmed that Druckmann will continue to serve as creative director on The Last of Us, Part II.
Additionally, Naughty Dog announced that Anthony Newman and Kurt Margenau are now serving as the joint game directors on The Last of Us, Part II. "Both Kurt and Anthony joined Naughty Dog during Uncharted 2 and have been instrumental in leading the design department, and have been key contributors on our subsequent games," Wells said.
Enormous Indie MegaBooth Line-Up Announced for PAX East 2018
If you've ever attended one of the PAX events, you know the Indie MegaBooth is the purest and rawest form of distilled PAX-ness on the floor. The 2018 Indie MegaBooth is no exception, with over 100 games from 93 developers shown off from April 5-8.
The MegaBooth takes up over 7,000 square feet of the Boston Convention Center, with video games and tabletop games getting their moment in the sun. There's also the Indie MiniBooth to check out. Like the tabletop booth, the MiniBooth line-up rotates depending on which day you check it out.
The 2017 PAX East Indie Megabooth had over 80 games, so this year's event is substantially larger.
Vin Diesel Confirmed for Bloodshot Role
Vin Diesel is confirmed to play the super-solider Bloodshot in Sony Pictures' film adaptation of the Valiant comic book.
Deadline reports Diesel has officially signed on to star as the main lead in the movie, which follows Ray Garrison (aka Bloodshot) going from being a ruthless killer for the mob to getting enhanced with nanotechnology. Reports of Diesel potentially starring in Bloodshot surfaced earlier this year.
State of Decay 2 Is Bigger, Better, and More RPG-y
My car was abandoned in the middle of the road somewhere behind me. I couldn’t go back for it even though I desperately wished I could. I had to bail out of it – while it was moving, mind you – because it was the dead of night and I didn’t see the Bloater standing in my path until he exploded on the front bumper, filling the cabin with noxious gas. I was left to limp up and around a mountain, as a straight-line path back to my community’s base just wasn’t possible. My health was critical. My stamina was exhausted because I hadn’t slept in two days and simply couldn’t run more than a few paces anymore. I figured my odds of surviving – and thus not losing valuable geocacher/masseuse Fulgencio Arellano permanently – were barely north of zero. Between my body, my mind, and my situation, I really was in a state of decay.
The Division’s 2018 Road Map Detailed for the Months Ahead
Ubisoft has shared its plans for The Division over the coming year with the game's 2018 road map.
While some of this was covered after the announcement of The Division 2, Ubisoft has now released a full schedule, outlining the upcoming content and patches planned between now and September.
Two years and 20 million players later, a number of global events have been planned to celebrate and the road map has given us an idea of when we can expect them to roll out. we'll also see 4K support for the Xbox One with April's 1.8.1 update.
Wonder Woman 2: Kristen Wiig Confirmed as Villain Cheetah
Director Patty Jenkins has confirmed Kristen Wiig will play the villain Cheetah in Wonder Woman 2.
"So incredibly lucky to welcome the sensationally talented Kristen Wiig to our Wonder Woman family," Jenkins wrote on Twitter. "Can't wait to finally work with one of my favorites. And SO excited by what we have planned. #Cheetah!!!"
Wiig in Bridesmaids
Prior to today's confirmation, Wiig was said to be "in talks" to play the villain, who was first introduced to comic readers over 70 years ago in Wonder Woman's sixth issue.