Batman: The Killing Joke Doesn’t Need a Retcon
The current volume of Batgirl has never been a stranger to controversy, especially where its ties to the classic graphic novel Batman: The Killing Joke are concerned. The latest kerfuffle came last week as Batgirl #49 opened the door for DC to essentially throw The Killing Joke out of continuity altogether. But while the creative team's intentions were noble, it would be a mistake for DC to pretend that The Killing Joke never happened or attempt to downplay its impact on the Batman franchise. This is one story that doesn't need to be retconned.
Affleck’s Batman Is Grieving for Robin
Ben Affleck has discussed how the death of Robin in the DC Cinematic Universe has affected the version of the caped crusader he plays in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Affleck said:
"He’s bitterly disappointed in the past that he’s lost this guy who fought by his side. That character’s death must have been devastating to him, and he’s suffered. We get the sense that he’s suffered a lot of devastating losses before this movie even starts."
We already knew about Robin's death - and had seen clues as to the effect of that loss in the film's Comic-Con trailer, where Robin's seemingly Joker-ravaged suit was mounted in the Batcave - but Affleck's provided the clearest insight yet into the kind of Batman we'll be seeing come the film's release on March 25 (March 24 in Australia) - namely, a sad one.
Sony to Hold a Recruitment Event for Lionhead Studios Staff
On Monday, Sony will be hosting a recruitment event in Guildford, England, and it has invited everyone at Lionhead Studios to come along.
Lionhead Studios is owned by Microsoft, but it seems likely that Microsoft will be shutting the studio down, joining Press Play Studios in Denmark.
Lionhead Studios was co-founded and formerly led by Peter Molyneux. It is well known for creating the Fable series, however Microsoft also announced on Monday that work on the upcoming Fable Legends has now ceased.
Sony reached out to the employees of Lionhead via the @PlayStationJobs Twitter account, saying that there will be people from all of its European game studios at the event available to chat.
Dark Souls 3 Will Run at 60 FPS on PC
After recent rumours that Dark Souls 3 will be locked at 30 frames per second on PC, the game's official Twitter account has categorically stated that the non-console version will run at a full 60 FPS. Of course, it illustrated this with a silky smooth 'Praise the Sun' gif.
Forget what you've heard. #DarkSouls3 will run at 60 FPS on PC! https://t.co/h8O21GTxR8
— Dark Souls (@DarkSoulsGame) March 10, 2016
The Dark Souls series has a shaky reputation when it comes to PC versions, with the Dark Souls 2 director even calling the original game's PC port "half-assed" - before his own game memorably included a glitch where those playing with double the frames were losing double the weapon durability with each strike.
Gears’ General Raam Spotted In Killer Instinct Stream
Gears of War’s General Raam is the next guest character coming to Killer Instinct Season 3.
The ruthless leader of the Theron Guard’s nameplate was seen in a preview stream by Iron Galaxy Studio’s Adam “Keits” Heart. Raam joins Season 3 as the third guest character from another universe - the other two being Halo’s Arbiter, and Battletoads' Rash.
Also revealed on the stream was Mira, Maya’s late twin sister. As Shoryuken points out, the circumstances surrounding Mira’s death remains a mystery, but the few details we do have indicate Mira sacrificed herself to save her sister.
London Games Festival Fringe: First Events Announced
The first wave of events taking place during the London Games Festival Fringe - taking place from April 1-10 - have been announced, and include everything from real-life choose your own adventures to "open mic" coding.
The Fringe, a set of events to complement the new London Games Festival, will take place across London and are chosen to "demonstrate the extraordinary reach and diversity of video games culture."
The London Games Festival, apart from being a hugely exciting event, is notable for being announced by London mayor, Boris Johnson, inside Minecraft.
Rocket League Is Getting a Basketball Mode
A Twitter tease from developer Psyonix has revealed a new Basketball-themed mode for Rocket League, possibly called Hoops.
March Madness is just around the corner. Great time to tease the mode we're working on next #RocketLeagueHoops pic.twitter.com/rrlEnnFhby
— Rocket League (@RocketLeague) March 11, 2016
There's a hint that the new mode - which, going by that screenshot, will require high-level aerial skills to nudge that giant ball into a half-pipe style hoop - could arrive in time for March Madness, the college basketball tournament.
Vikings: Why The Seer’s Hand Lick Means so Much to Floki
It's been a rough year for Floki. After his faith in the gods was tested by the defeat in Paris, invalidating his murder of Athelstan, his best friend and king, Ragnar, punished him by Viking water torture in a cave for an indefinite period of days.
When he finally was released, Gustaf Skarsgard's character found himself lacking purpose in the world -- that is, until he went to see the Seer. In a surprising turn of events, the Seer licked Floki's hand, bestowing a sign of respect back on the troubled Viking.
Gustaf Skarsgard as Floki on Vikings
Nintendo’s Miitomo Coming to Japan March 17
Nintendo has announced that its social messaging mobile app Miitomo will launch in Japan March 17.
We've known that that the first of Nintendo's projects with Japanese mobile gaming company DeNA was due to launch sometime this month, but this is the first word of a firm date in any territory. Nintendo plans to launch the app in other territories later this month, although no other specific dates have been announced. The final day for Miitomo pre-registration in Japan is the 16th.
Miitomo was described by Nintendo last year as "a free-to-start communication application that helps friends share fun personal facts and interests. Consumers create and use their own Mii characters to engage friends in a welcoming social environment, answering questions and sharing information to discover more about each other and what they have in common. Miitomo is designed to appeal to a wide range of global smart device users and introduce them to uniquely Nintendo experiences beginning with Miitomo and carried through future applications."
The Tick: Amazon Orders Pilot; Original Cast Not Returning
Amazon is finally moving ahead with its revival of The Tick.
Deadline reports that Amazon has ordered a pilot for Ben Edlund's comic book character, with Edlund aboard to write and produce.
It's still unclear who will fill the title character's shoes. Interestingly, Patrick Warburton, a longtime campaigner of the revival and The Tick in the original Fox show, will not return. This may be due to his commitments on NBC's Crowded; he is instead "expected" to serve as executive producer. Vinyl's Griffin Newman has been cast as The Tick's sidekick Arthur Everest, while The Following's Valorie Curry will play Arthur's sister Dot.