PlayStation Network Connectivity Issues Resolved
Update: Sony confirmed to IGN the issue has now been resolved.
Original Story: Some PlayStation Network users are currently experiencing connectivity issues.
Sony acknowledged the network problems in a post on Twitter, assuring the PlayStation community the issues are currently being investigated.
We're aware that some PSN users are experiencing connectivity issues. Thank you for your patience as we investigate.
— Ask PlayStation (@AskPlayStation) February 1, 2016
Stars Who Were Almost Superheroes
It's well established Internet lore (and the subject of an excellent documentary) that Nic Cage was thiiiis close to playing a bonkers version of Superman in Tim Burton's doomed Superman Lives. But you might be surprised to learn how many other big name actors were on the verge of appearing as superheroes at various points over the years. Some left their projects willingly, some not so much.
If Paul Greengrass had his way, the cast of Watchmen might have included Joaquin Phoenix, Hilary Swank, Jude Law and Ron Perlman. Law also might have squared off against Colin Farrell in an earlier attempt to pit Superman against Batman on screen. Anne Hathaway was all set to suit up as Spider-Man's femme fatale Black Cat long before she appeared as another cat burglar in The Dark Knight Rises. Heck, even Bo Derek was once slated to star in an absolutely insane film adaptation of Marvel's ultimate disco property: Dazzler!
Assassin’s Creed Identity Announced
Ubisoft has revealed Assassin's Creed Identity, an action RPG coming to iOS on February 25 for $5.
The game will take place during the Italian Renaissance and will allow players to create and customize their own assassins from four classes: Berserker, Shadow Blade, Trickster and Thief. Berserker is for direct combat, Shadow Blade is for more stealth-oriented players, Trickster is more of a jack-of-all trades, and Thief is for agile and quick movement, stealing, and trap laying.
Players will be able to take these character classes through story missions, "countless" quests, and visit settings like the Santa Croce area in Firenze or the Colosseum area in Roma.
Assassin's Creed Identity is being made with the Unity game engine and uses controls like tap-to-move, dual stick, and gamepad.
The People v. O.J. Simpson is This Week’s TV Highlight
The Midseason TV rush slows down a bit for the first week of February as The Expanse closes out its first season, Lost Girl begins to air its final eight episodes in the U.S., The Muppets return to ABC (supposedly retooled to be less dour), and - you know - there's some football or something on Sunday.
The TV highlight this week though is The People v. O.J. Simpson. A TV series based on the famous O.J. Simpson trial and surrounding media circus. Part of a new American Crime Story anthology series (not to be confused with ABC's anthological American Crime) from Glee/American Horror Story's Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, along with creators Scott Alexander Larry Kraszewski (both, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Man on the Moon). The idea here, with ACS, is that each season will tackle a new court case. Some notorious and famous, others - perhaps - less well known but surrounded by notable occurrences. For example, Season 2 is supposed to be commented to Hurricane Katrina.
Lucha Underground Renewed for Season 3
Executive producer Mark Burnett and MGM have announced that El Rey Network's Lucha Underground will return for a third season.
The action-packed, character-driven series will begin production on the third season immediately in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles and will premiere on El Rey Network in early 2017.
Season 2 debuted back on January 27th, and the series airs on Wednesdays at 8:00pm ET/PT.
Gotham: See the First Episode of a New Motion Comic
While Gotham is taking a midseason break, that doesn’t mean there aren’t new stories to tell before the show returns on February 29th. FOX, Warner Bros. TV and DC Entertainment have partnered for an original tale, told as a five-part motion comic, called Gotham Stories, which bridges the first and second halves of the season.
Viewers watching The X-Files each week, beginning tonight, February 1st, will see 30 second versions of the motion comics, with the final installment airing with Gotham’s midseason premiere. However, you can see the full, 60 second version of each episode every week first, right here at IGN.
Check out the first installment below, as Penguin finds his leadership challenged – only for a cold new player to make his presence known.
NBA 2K16 Gets $250K Tournament
2K announced today that NBA 2K16 will have its own pro-am tournament, giving players the chance to win $250,000. NBA 2K16's Road to the Finals will allow teams to "compete in a series of in-game events" to qualify for the big tournament, which will culminate over the NBA Finals in June.
"The NBA 2K development team has aspired to join the exciting world of esports for years,” president of Visual Concepts Greg Thomas said in a statement. “Road to the Finals is our first step, and we can’t wait to add even more excitement and competitive action to our franchise."
Bethesda Announces E3 Press Conference Date
Bethesda has announced that it will once again be holding a "showcase" at E3. It will take place on June 12 at 7pm.
Last year, Bethesda held its first ever E3 press conference, where it showed off the likes of Fallout 4 and Doom.
Are you game? #BE3 pic.twitter.com/5qNZeHi7X5
— Bethesda Softworks (@bethesda) February 1, 2016
Dying Light Expansion Now Has a Release Date
Dying Light expansion The Following will release on February 9.
The release date varies depending on where you live and which format you’ll be playing on. To help with this, here’s a handy image:
The story-driven expansion sees Kyle Crane travel to a new area controlled by cultists who have something to do with the zombie outbreak. But to get to the bottom of what the cultists are hiding, you’ll need to go undercover.
You can also drive and upgrade a dirt buggy.
New The Division Beta May Be Coming Later This Month
Xbox Italy has posted details of an as yet unannounced open beta test for Tom Clancy's The Division.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed that Xbox Italy's official facebook page states the open beta will run from February 16 to February 21. Once again, Xbox One players will get an additional 24 hours to try out the game.
Of course, there's still time for things to change and we've yet to receive official word from Ubisoft about the beta, but we've reached out for comment and will let you know as/when we receive a response.