Abandoned Xbox Smartwatch Allegedly Revealed
Images have surfaced that seem to reveal a never-produced Xbox brand smartwatch from Microsoft.
SuomiMobiili reports (via Neowin) that these images may depict the never released Xbox wearable that Microsoft was rumored to be developing back in 2013. The potential device was rumored to be slated for release in 2015 but instead, we saw the quite different-looking Microsoft Band hit shelves late 2014.
Avatar Sequels Begin Filming
Nearly eight years after the release of the original, James Cameron has officially started production on the four(!) Avatar sequels.
Deadline reports that the blockbuster films have finally begun filming in Manhattan Beach today after the sequels had already been delayed multiple times.
Avatar 2 is now slated for release in 2020, but all four movies will be shot in succession, which makes the estimated collective budget of over $1 billion USD the most expensive shoot in history.
Infamous Started as a ‘Superhero Version of Animal Crossing’
Sucker Punch has revealed that the popular superhero action game Infamous was originally slated to be more akin to an Animal Crossing game.
In a PlayStation Blog post, the company looks back on 20 years of development starting with their first title on Nintendo 64, Rocket Robot on Wheels. While not very successful this lead the team to make the Sly Raccoon games and eventually brought them to Infamous.
Chris Zimmerman, one of the Co-Founders of Sucker Punch, explains that originally Infamous was going to be a lot more like Animal Crossing.
"At first, we were building a superhero version of Animal Crossing. You roamed your city, tracked down criminals, helped out the citizens, and did some light zoning work along the way. The best superheroes have alter egos, right? So your alter ego was a property developer, deciding where to put the pet shops and tiki bars the citizens were demanding. Sounds awesome, right? Well, it wasn’t. After six months of experimentation we gave up on property development and focused on superhero action."
Official Resident Evil 2 Board Game Is Being Made
Steamforged Games is working on a new board game based on the popular video game Resident Evil 2.
The makers of the Dark Souls board game which was funded in 3 minutes have launched a new Kickstarter campaign for a cooperative survival horror board game set in the Resident Evil universe. This new game is looking to see similar success, as it was fully funded within an hour of the campaign's launch and has already breached four of its stretch goals.
IT Sequel Release Date Announced
Stephen King's IT: Chapter 2 will be released in theaters on September 6, 2019, New Line and Warner Bros. have announced.
IGN can confirm the sequel to director Andres Muschietti's record-breaking horror film will debut on that date in regular and reportedly IMAX theaters.
Gary Dauberman, who was one of the writers on the first film, is already on board to pen the sequel, and Muschietti is expected to return to direct. In adhering to the structure of King's original novel, the sequel will pick up 27 years after the first film and center around the same group of characters. Check out our picks to play the adult versions of the Losers' Club.
How Guardians of the Galaxy Impacted Flash Gordon Movie
Guardians of the Galaxy impacted Matthew Vaughn's long-gestating Flash Gordon remake, according to the Kingsman director.
In an interview with Collider Vaughn, who signed on for Flash Gordon back in 2015, said that while he's still working on the remake, it's become a bit more difficult to make it ever since the success of Guardians of the Galaxy.
"For me, the only problem with Flash Gordon is Guardians
kind of stole what I would have liked to have done with it," Vaughn said. "You’ve got Star Wars, you’ve got Guardians, so you’ve got to have your own space opera, but you have to find something that can survive among these two very, very great franchises."
Golf Story Nintendo Switch Release Date Announced
Golf Story is officially coming to the Nintendo Switch on September 28, developer Sidebar Games has confirmed to IGN.
After a release date appeared on the European eShop, Sidebar told IGN the golf adventure recently highlighted in the August Nindies Nintendo Showcase will come to the Nintendo platform later this week.
Players take on the role of, unsurprisingly, a golfer in Golf Story, solving most problems by hitting a golf ball both on and off the green. The golf adventure game features eight different environments. In addition to traditional golf, disc golf, mini golf, and more like drone flights and geocaching will be included in the adventures.
Video Game Voice Actor Strike Set to End
The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has announced the video game voice actor strike will come to an end.
After running for nearly a year, the strike against 11 video game companies has reached a tentative agreement, which will provide performers with a new bonus structure in the form of an additional payment.
The bonuses are based on sessions worked, starting with $75 for the first session and accruing to $2,100 after 10 sessions. The bonus must be paid on or before the game is released. This appears to be a different arrangement to the revenue-based payments some developers agreed to back in May.
History Reveals Trailer for New Knights Templar Drama
History has announced the debut date for its upcoming Knights Templar medieval drama, Knightfall.
The 10-episode series premieres on History on December 6 at 10pm ET/PT. The drama delves into the most mysterious and powerful military order of the Middle Ages, the Knights Templar.
Knightfall will chronicle the Templar Order's life or death mission to recover the Holy Grail, which was lost during the fall of the city of Acre, as well as the Templar's clash with the King of France, and the eventual demise of the Templar Order on Friday the 13th, 1307.
Downton Abbey alum Tom Cullen stars as the headstrong Templar Knight Landry, who embarks on the mission to find the Holy Grail. Additionally, Pádraic Delaney (The Tudors) stars as a crippled Templar who was once the greatest swordsman in the order, and Simon Merrells (Spartacus) plays the steadfast and brave Tancrede.
Marvel’s Relaunch Kicks Off This Week
With dozens of comic books to choose from, let us show you which are the best coming out this week. Take a look at this list spotlighting our favorite comics that we know are money-well-spent and new books that look cool and are backed by some top-tier talent.
Check out our picks, then head to the comments to let us know what you’ll be buying this week!
Art by Joe Quesada. (Marvel Comics)