Game Scoop!: Is The Witness a Stealth Metroidvania?
Welcome back to Game Scoop!, IGN's weekly video game talk show. This week we're discussing The Witness, Hearthstone, Far Cry Primal, and more. Watch the video above or download the podcast below.
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Apple to Allow Broken iPhone Trade-Ins
Apple has updated its Reuse and Recycle iPhone trade-in program to allow customers to receive credit for damaged iPhone 5s and iPhone 6/6 Plus devices. 9To5Mac reports that iPhones with "damaged displays, cameras, and buttons" are "within reason."
Apple hopes that the program will encourage users to upgrade their phones, rather than simply repair the screen. The going rates for a trade-in, sources told 9To5Mac, are "$50 for a 5s, $200 for a 6, and $250 for a 6 Plus." Trade-ins aren't completely new for the company, as only undamaged iPhones were previously allowed.
Star Wars: Bloodline Novel Reveals Why Leia Distrusts the New Republic
An upcoming Star Wars novel will shed more light on why Leia abandoned politics for the Resistance military.
USA Today reports that Star Wars: Bloodlines will fill in some gaps between Return of the Jedi and Force Awakens. It establishes that Leia actually was a leader in the New Republic, and gained a seat on the Galactic Senate. However, during the course of the novel she starts to see a new generation of leaders that that refuses to learn from the past of the Empire. One new character, Ransolm Casterfo, is described as Leia's political opposite and even likes to collect old Imperial propaganda.
Mattel and Hasbro Reportedly in Merger Talks
Toy makers Mattel and Hasbro are said to be in talks to merge businesses.
Mattel and Hasbro are arguably the most well known names in the toy business, and they're currently the two largest manufacturers of playthings on Earth. A merging of the two behemoths of fun would create the world's biggest toy company.
According to Bloomberg, citing people "familiar with the matter," the current merger rumors represent a will-they, won't-they ballet the two giants have been dancing since last year.
Details of the potential transaction were not readily available, Bloomberg said, with its sources saying the deal might not happen at all.
You Can Watch Puppy Bowl XII in VR
Animal Planet is introducing virtual reality support in the best possible way—with puppies. With the big game approaching quickly, the company is getting fans pumped up with a sneak peek into the practice arena during the Puppy Bowl.
Those with access to VR goggles, like Google Cardboard or Samsung's Gear VR, can find Puppy Bowl XII videos through the DiscoveryVR app, Samsung Milk VR, or on Animal Planet's YouTube page. As of writing, there are four choices: Marley making his move, three dog tug-of-war, run and scrum, and a free-for-all highlight reel.
Is Thanos the Villain in Marvel’s Civil War II?
Marvel has revealed new covers for Civil War II #0 and their two Free Comic Book Day specials. If these covers are to be believed, a certain Mad Titan could have a prominent role to play in Marvel's upcoming crossover event.
Civil War II #0 is a prologue to the core mini-series and will be written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by Olivier Coipel. Check out the cover below:
Art by Olivier Coipel
Photos of Young Superman From Supergirl
Superman will appear on Supergirl when the next episode airs on February 8. The episode, For the Girl Who Has Everything, has Kara trapped in a fantasy world that puts her back at home on Krypton, with her family. New photos from the episode give a first look at the young Superman.
The episode is a riff on the classic Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons comic, For the Man Who Has Everything. Executive producer Andrew Kreisberg spoke at the Television Critics Association press tour about the TV adaptation, and said he'd been pitching the idea since he signed on.
Jason Patric Starring in Wayward Pines: Season 2
Wayward Pines: Season 2 has found its new leading man in Jason Patric.
According to THR, The Lost Boys actor will star in the second season of M. Night Shyamalan's television drama as Dr. Theo Yedlin, "a confident, driven surgeon whose leadership skills will prove invaluable to the residents of Wayward Pines."
Patric in Narc
Colony Renewed for Season 2 on USA
USA's Colony will be coming back for a 13 episode second season.
The show has earned steady ratings since it premiered last month and half a million people saw the pilot when it was released two weeks early on VOD and online streaming services. Created by Lost writer Carlton J. Cuse and Ryan Condal, the show follows a family caught up in the alien occupation of a near-future Los Angeles.
IGN recently got to speak with Condal and the show's stars, Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies, about how Colony explores life under hostile occupation.
"One of the fascinating things about this world is
Futuristic Zorro Movie Z Gets Director
Update: THR reporter Borys Kit reports that Cuaron's Z will see the director starting "from scratch." It will be "his vision and not a take on Zorro reborn."
Gravity co-writer Jonas Cuaron is set to direct the futuristic Zorro film Z.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cuaron has signed on to the project, with Lantica Media and Sobini Films producing Z. The son of Children of Men filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron, he previously helmed Disertio as well as Gravity companion short Aningaaq.