Microsoft, Nintendo, GTA Publisher Weigh in on New Consoles
The biggest story leading up to E3 2016, and of the show itself, was the existence of new hardware from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo that will be released over the course of the next year. As the video game industry shifts to a new business model where consoles will be refreshed at a much faster pace, the Associated Press spoke to Microsoft, GTA publisher Take-Two, and Nintendo for insight on what this means for the future.
At E3 Microsoft unveiled Project Scorpio, a stronger version of the company’s Xbox One coming in 2017, alongside the Xbox One S, a redesign of its existing system that adds 4K video output. "We're trying to shift the culture and put the power of when to upgrade in the hands of gamers, as opposed to it being driven by technology or a corporate initiative," said Shannon Loftis, head of publishing at Microsoft Game Studios, told the AP in an interview. "I hope that we don't frustrate gamers. We're responding to them. The feedback we've received is that they want more choices."
Dead of Summer Brings Summer Camp Horror to TV
Debuting Tuesday night, Freeform's new series Dead of Summer brings summer camp horror to TV.
From Lost and Once Upon a Time's Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz and an Goldberg (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Once Upon a Time), Dead of Summer is, appropriately enough, set in the 1980s, as a group of counselors at Camp Stillwater discover something very old and evil resides among their seemingly tranquil surroundings.
IGN has an exclusive clip from the series premiere, as Amy (Elizabeth Lail, known to Once Upon a Time fans for her role as Frozen's Anna) discovers why you shouldn't be off by yourself at night at Camp Stillwater...
Dead of Summer, which also includes Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), Eli Goree (The 100) and Zelda Williams (The Legend of Korra) among its cast, debuts Tuesday, June 28th on Freeform.
GoT’s Bran Stark Talks Theories, Visions and the Tower of Joy
Full spoilers for Game of Thrones: Season 6, including the finale "The Winds of Winter," continue below.
Bran Stark came back with a bang in Season 6, delivering what proved to be the most interesting exposition and backstories on Game of Thrones. From finding out the origins of the White Walkers to why Hodor earned the name "Hodor," Bran delivered big reveal after big reveal, culminating in the confirmation that Lyanna Stark is in fact Jon Snow's mother.
With viewers left to sit with that big revelation until Game of Thrones: Season 7 premieres and many more unanswered questions still lingering, IGN got on the phone with actor Isaac Hempstead-Wright to pick his mind about the series. The conversation ranged from whether he knows what Lyanna whispered to Ned, to why he thinks it's important Jon Snow's father be revealed at a later point in time, all the way to whether Bran might be the person responsible for the White Walkers getting into Westeros. He helped us dive deep on theories and speculation to get everyone excited all over again for Game of Thrones' return.
Ford Dealership Allegedly Steals Firewatch Artwork
A Ford dealership in Quincy, Massachusetts has allegedly used artwork from Campo Santo's Firewatch without permission in a new promotion campaign.
The Twitter account for Firewatch co-producer Panic Inc. posted a photo of a dealership ad from Quirk Ford in Massachusetts, which appears to use Firewatch artwork in the promotional image for a Ford Freedom sales event.
The ad appears to only be in use by the local Massachusetts dealership and not as part of a countrywide campaign. IGN has reached out to Ford with a request for comment and will update this story should they respond.
Doctor Strange: How Movie Version of Wong Is Different
The Martian actor Benedict Wong will play Wong in director Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange, and it seems like his character will be much more than a traditional superhero sidekick.
According to Wong, Marvel is taking his character in a new direction—far, far from the "tea-serving manservant" from the early comics. "We're heading in a different direction," Wong told Den of Geek. "He's more of a drill sergeant."
Marvel is kicking Wong's martial arts background in favor of sorcery. "There isn't any martial arts for Wong in Doctor Strange, actually," Wong added, "he's more of a drill sergeant to Kamar-Taj. He's one of the masters of sorcery."
New to Amazon Prime in July
Coming to Amazon this July is the third and final -- for now? -- season of NBC's Hannibal, along with several Star Trek films that just left Netflix, some Tarantino classics like Pulp Fiction and both volumes of Kill Bill, the Jack Ryan adventures Patriot Games and The Hunt for Red October, new seasons of TV shows like Vikings and Suits, and movies like Terminator Genisys, The Shining, and more.
And for purchase, there's Batman v Superman, Keanu, Hardcore Henry, Barbershop: The Next Cut, among others.
Pokemon GO Beta Period Ending This Week
Pokemon GO trainers only have a few days left to wrap up their quest to be the very best there ever was in the app's beta.
In an email sent out to beta testers of the app posted by MyNintendoNews, the team behind the app has revealed the beta "field test" will come to an end on June 30.
"On June 30th, we’ll shut down the Pokémon GO field test. Your app will not be playable any more and we’ll delete all gameplay data to prepare for the official launch," the email reads.
A field test for the app began in Japan in March while sign-ups opened up in North America in May. IGN has reached out to The Pokemon Company and Niantic for more information and will update this story should we hear back.
Netflix Releases New The Get Down Trailer
Netflix has released a new trailer for Baz Luhrmann–created drama The Get Down and it features new music by Nas, who serves as a creative contributor on the show.
The show's thirteen one-hour episodes are slated for release on August 12 at 12:01 am PT.
"Armed only with verbal games," stars Shameik Moore, Jimmy Smits, Giancarlo Esposito, and Jaden Smith take on '70s New York City in The Get Down. The story is told through the eyes of a "rag-tag crew of South Bronx teenagers" as looming bankruptcy gave birth to hip-hop, punk, and disco.
Daily Deals: Game of Thrones, Steam Summer Sale, Batman: Arkham Knight
Today Only, Game of Thrones Seasons 1& 2 Are Cheaper Than Ever
Praise the gods, old and new, for this deal on Game of Thrones seasons 1 & 2. I would say that season 1 is my favorite, but after this season, I'm honestly not even sure anymore. Anyway, both seasons are just $11 each, and the previous low price was $20, so this is a pretty hefty price drop. And if you'd prefer to own them digitally, both seasons are just $10 from Amazon Video.
Update: Season 1 on Blu-ray has sold out, but you can still get it for $10 digitally.
IGN’s Top 10 FPS Games of All Time
First person shooters have long been a gaming staple, with hundreds of shooters released over the last three decades. Just when the genre seems to run aground, a truly great game comes along revitalizing the space and reminding gamers the reason they love shooters to begin with. This is a collection of those games.
We judged these shooters on a combination of their shooting mechanics, influence, innovation, and refinement. These are IGN’s Top Ten FPS games of all time.
The announcement of a Left 4 Dead sequel so soon after the original was initially met with skepticism. But much to the elation of zombie slayers everywhere, Left 4 Dead 2 improved upon every aspect of its critically acclaimed predecessor. The sequel added melee weapons, environment specific infected and cranked the gore up to 11. But in spite of its additions and improvements, its place on this list is secured by the same sublime co-op mechanics that also made the original great. Special infected like the smoker, hunter and charger forced teammates to work together and stay together or risk being left for dead… too. - James Duggan