Ready Player One Tracking for Underwhelming Opening Weekend
Ready Player One is heading toward a potentially disappointing opening weekend when it hits theaters on March 29.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Steven Spielberg-directed film is tracking for a North American box office debut of around $35 million. Spielberg and Warner Bros. are trying to crack $50 million for the opening weekend. Warner Bros. has already pushed the release date up to a Thursday—instead of the traditional Friday—and will continue making its marketing push throughout March.
Fortnite Battle Royale Announced for Mobile
Epic Games has announced its free Fortnite Battle Royale mode will be available to play on both iOS and Android — and you'll be able to play with other players on other platforms.
Starting next Monday, March 12, interested players can sign up at Fortnite's official website for the iOS "Invite Event." Invitations via email will be sent out to players soon after, offering a link to download the game. Epic will be regularly inviting players to the game over the coming months. Support for Android platers will follow in the next few months, though no exact window is announced.
Fortnite Battle Royale is the same 100-player mode players already know, with Epic promising "same gameplay, same map, same content, same weekly updates." It will also feature cross play and cross-progression between PS4, PC, Mac, iOS, and also on Android when the game comes to that platform.
Here’s The “Violent Video Game Reel” Trump Shared At The White House
UPDATE: The Electronic Software Association, issued a statement to IGN following President Donald Trump's meeting with members of the gaming industry and members of congress. The ESA said its members "appreciate the President’s receptive and comprehensive approach" to the meeting, which covered First Amendment protection of games, the ESRB rating system, and more.
The full statement reads:
“We welcomed the opportunity today to meet with the President and other elected officials at the White House. We discussed the numerous scientific studies establishing that there is no connection between video games and violence, First Amendment protection of video games, and how our industry’s rating system effectively helps parents make informed entertainment choices. We appreciate the President’s receptive and comprehensive approach to this discussion.”
Big News and Trailers from March 8’s Nintendo Direct
After a lot of leaks, rumors, and anticipation, Nintendo aired a Nintendo Direct today with a handful of new games headed to Switch and 3DS.
Here’s what Nintendo showed today, from release dates for things we already knew about to a few new surprises that will round out 2018 for Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo saved the best for last, finally confirming Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch. We don't know much yet, but a trailer showed off the Inklings, Mario, Link, and silhouettes of a few more familiar characters.
It remains to be seen if this will be a port of the Wii U version or an entirely new game, but either way it'll be exciting to have a new version of everybody's favorite brawler.
Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition Release Date Announced
Today's Nintendo Direct gave us the release date for Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition, coming to Nintendo Switch May 18.
The Definitive Edition includes every map and mission, as well as every character from both the Wii U and 3DS version, adding up to 29 characters in all.
The Switch edition also includes new outfits for Zelda and Link from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The Direct also gave us a release date for Project Octopath Traveler, coming July 13 with a special edition releasing on the same day.
When it originally came to Wii U, we gave it a 7 in our Hyrule Warriors review, calling it a fun sidestory for the Zelda universe. The 3DS version was also fun, but suffered problems from straining the 3DS limited power.
Far Cry 5 Had Our Curiosity, Now It Has Our Attention
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Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion Announced
Nintendo has announced Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion, the game's first paid, single-player DLC.
The expansion was revealed during today's Nintendo Direct. It introduces a new playable character, an Octoling named Agent 8, and will be released this summer for $20 USD. Completing the 80-mission single-player campaign will unlock the ability to play as Octolings in multiplayer.
Nintendo also announced Splatoon 2's 3.0 update will be released in "late April." Version 3.0 will feature additional stages, over 100 pieces of new gear, and Rank X, a new rank that's even higher than S+.
For more, check out IGN's Splatoon 2 review.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch Finally Confirmed
As many fans have been waiting for since the announcement of the Nintendo Switch, Super Smash Bros. is finally confirmed to be coming to the system. And it's coming in 2018.
Splatoon Inklings are confirmed to appear in a short teaser shown during the Nintendo Direct today. Mario and what appears to be The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Link were also shown in the teaser. Several other characters can be seen in partial shadow at the end of the trailer.
No official title has been set for the fighter, with its working title being Nintendo Switch Super Smash Bros.
The last Smash Bros. came in 2014, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, two companion entries in the franchise. IGN reviewed Smash Bros. for Wii U higher than Smash Bros. for 3DS, though still praised both games for their impressive additions and twists on the beloved fighting series.
Little Nightmares Announced for Nintendo Switch
Little Nightmares is coming to Nintendo Switch in just a couple months.
Nintendo shared the news during today's Nintendo Direct. The Switch version will be the Complete Edition, which includes all eight chapters, as well as all previously released DLC.
Additionally, a special in-game mask can be unlocked with the Pac-Man amiibo.
Little Nightmares: Complete Edition launches for Nintendo Switch on May 18. The game was released last year for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. For our thoughts on why it's a "very welcome fresh take on horror," read IGN's Little Nightmares review.
Today's Nintendo Direct featured no shortage of exciting announcements, including official confirmation Super Smash Bros. is coming to Switch, a release date for Mario Tennis Aces, and much more.
Undertale Announced For Nintendo Switch
The quirky role-playing game Undertale was revealed to be coming to Nintendo Switch during today's Nintendo Direct.
While there's no release window, Nintendo simply stated the game would come to the handheld platform "eventually."
IGN awarded Undertale with a 10 for "Masterpiece" when it was released in 2015 on PC, stating it tells its story in such a dynamic way, and with such a great understanding of the RPG player’s mindset, that it couldn’t have been told in any other way.
Brandin Tyrrel is IGN's Xbox Editor. You can find him on Unlocked, or chat over on Twitter at @BrandinTyrrel.