Elite: Dangerous’ Mysterious Aliens Start Attacking Players
The fifth major update of the Horizons season has been released for Elite: Dangerous, bringing with it the arrival of the Thargoids.
Dubbed Horizons 2.4 – The Return, the new update features an ongoing story arc where commanders find themselves caught up in a battle against the mysterious aliens, whose history dates back the release of the original Elite in 1984. Players will need to employ new strategies and develop new technologies in order to contend with the threat the Thargoids pose to humanity.
The story of the Thargoids can be found in the extended fiction of the Elite franchise, as well as Frontier: Elite II and Frontier: First Encounters. The events that transpire in Elite: Dangerous are set over 50 since those of Frontier: First Encounters.
TWD Cast and Creators Talk What It Means to Reach Episode 100
When The Walking Dead debuted in 2010, few would have predicted it would become one of the most successful TV series airing today. But the series not only found an audience, it found a huge one – turning it into a massive international hit.
When The Walking Dead returns for Season 8 on October 22nd, it will kick off with a season premiere that also serves as the show’s 100th episode. During a visit to the Atlanta set of the series, while episode 100 was being filmed, we got to see a couple of different scenes being filmed – scenes that would turn out to be the ones that bookend the Season 8 trailer that debuted during San Diego Comic-Con.
In the first, Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) finds himself in big trouble, as he's confronted by Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), who warns Gabriel he better have his “s**tin’ pants” on. The other scene certainly raised eyebrows, as it found Rick (Andrew Lincoln) looking many years older. Rick wasn’t the only character in that scene, but for now, we’ll stay quiet on who else he was interacting with…
Agents of Mayhem Dev Volition Reportedly Hit by Layoffs
Agents of Mayhem developer Volition has reportedly been hit by layoffs this week.
According to Kotaku, more than 30 people have been let go from the Saints Row studio that's located in Illinois. That apparently includes the layoff of Volition general manager Dan Cermak.
Deep Silver is reportedly dissatisfied with sales of Agents of Mayhem, which released last month. IGN has reached out to the publisher for comment.
Volition was acquired by Deep Silver back in 2013, after THQ was dissolved. The developer is also known for the Red Faction franchise.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter New Christmas Experience Details Revealed
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort will debut a new Christmas experience this year.
The Christmas experience previously announced by Universal will run from November 18, 2017 to January 6, 2018, during which Hogsmeade and its storefronts will be decked out with uniquely-themed decorations, along with special holiday themed food, drink and entertainment.
Hogwarts Castle will be getting a Christmas makeover.
James Cameron Stands By His Wonder Woman Criticism
Despite facing criticism for his own critique of Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman, Terminator and Avatar filmmaker James Cameron is not backing down on his opinion of the film.
The director recently vocalized his belief the film was actually "a step backwards" in terms of female representation in Hollywood. After reactions, including that of Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, criticized Cameron for his remarks, the director has doubled down, telling The Hollywood Reporter that he "stands by" those beliefs.
Young Sheldon Gets Full Series Order at CBS
The Big Bang Theory prequel Young Sheldon has received a full series order from CBS.
The announcement follows the show's September 25 debut, in which it averaged 17.2 million viewers and retained an impressive 98 percent of Big Bang Theory's lead-in audience, according to CBS. The network touts it as "the most watched comedy premiere on any network since 2011."
Young Sheldon, which follows a 9-year-old Sheldon Cooper, was previously picked up for 13 episodes. However, as Variety notes, with the full series order, the comedy's first season will now span 22 episodes.
Michelle Williams in Talks to Join Venom
Sony's upcoming Venom movie is reportedly close to casting an Oscar-nominated actress for a lead role opposite Tom Hardy.
Variety reports Michelle Williams, who was recently nominated for an Oscar for her role in Manchester by the Sea, is in talks to star in an unnamed role. Williams would play a district attorney and quite possibly Eddie Brock's (Hardy) love interest.
Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea.
Learn About Egyptian History in Assassin’s Creed Origins
Assassin's Creed Origins will get an educational mode early next year called Discovery Tour by Assassin's Creed: Ancient Egypt.
Ubisoft says the free update will let players explore Ancient Egypt in Assassin's Creed Origins without worrying about combat or time constraints. This includes visiting Alexandria, Memphis, the Nile Delta, Great Sand Sea and more.
Early next year Ubisoft will add an educational mode to Assassin's Creed Origins called Discovery Tour by Assassin's Creed: Ancient Egypt.
Google Revives Pac-Man in Honor of 19th Birthday
To celebrate the company's 19th birthday, Google is bringing back 19 of its most beloved Doodle games and Search easter eggs via a "surprise spinner."
As detailed by Google, the spinner can be accessed by simply searching "Google birthday surprise spinner." Most notably, the spinner features the return of Pac-Man, one of the company's most memorable Doodle games. The browser version of the arcade classic was the featured Doodle in 2010, in honor of Pac-Man's 30th anniversary.
Other "surprises" include tic-tac-toe; a collection of animal sounds; a version of cricket in which you play as a cricket; and Google's latest Search easter egg, a modern take on the classic mobile game Snake.
New Cast Members Revealed for Avatar Sequels
20th Century Fox has revealed seven young new cast members who'll be joining the upcoming Avatar sequels.
The sequels will see three new members added to the Sully family, with Jamie Flatters playing Jake and Neytiri's first born son Neteyam (neh-tay'-ahm) and Britain Dalton portraying second born son Lo'ak (loh' ahk). Trinity Bliss will play the youngest member of the family, Tuktirey: (took-tee'-ray).
The Metkayina Clan will also have three new members. Bailey Bass will portray Tsireya (see-ray'-ah), or "Reya," the young Neytiri of the ocean who's a graceful and strong free-diver. Filip Geljo has been cast as the young male hunter/free-diver son of the Metkayina Clan, Aonung (aw-nung'). Meanwhile, Duane Evans Jr. will play Rotxo (row'-txoh), the second new male hunter/free-diver of the Metkayina clan.