Welcome back to IGN Game Scoop! (and Unlocked and Beyond and NVC), IGN's podcast series! This week Daemon Hatfield is joined by Ryan McCaffrey, Jonathon Dornbush, and Seth Macy to discuss Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and everything that went down in 2021. Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite, Deathloop, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Returnal, Metroid Dread -- all will be discussed!

Watch the video above or hit the link below to your favorite podcast service.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts

YouTube

Spotify

Stitcher

Find previous episodes here!

Welcome back to IGN Game Scoop! (and Unlocked and Beyond and NVC), IGN's podcast series! This week Daemon Hatfield is joined by Ryan McCaffrey, Jonathon Dornbush, and Seth Macy to discuss Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and everything that went down in 2021. Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite, Deathloop, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Returnal, Metroid Dread -- all will be discussed!

Watch the video above or hit the link below to your favorite podcast service.

Listen on:

Apple Podcasts

YouTube

Spotify

Stitcher

Find previous episodes here!

The first teaser trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been released, and teases appearances from Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, Mordo, and what seems to be a corrupted Doctor Strange doppelganger.

Revealed on Twitter shortly after the finale of Marvel's Hawkeye, it marks the first teaser for the next MCU release, due to come to theaters on May 6.

As you'd expect, the trailer keeps things somewhat vague, but it appears meddling with the multiverse has caused some serious problems for Strange, and we see glimpses of a marriage scene featuring Rachel McAdams' Dr. Christine Palmer, a very broken New York skyline, and an angry eye-squid monster, which we believe to be Shuma-Gorath.

Various characters hinted at in other MCU projects are confirmed to make an appearance too. As expected after the post-credits scene from the WandaVision finale, Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff makes an appearance, and Chiwetel Ejiofor returns as a seemingly more villainous Mordo, as hinted at by Doctor Strange's own post-credits scene. We also see glimpses of Xochitl Gomez' America Chavez throughout.

We also see a glimpse at what looks to be a corrupted version of Doctor Strange, who says "things just got out of hand" to our regular, and somewhat bemused, Stephen. He bears a resemblance to the tragically corrupted Strange featured in this year's What If...? Episode 4, although it's unclear if they're definitely the same character right now.

The first poster for the movie seems to indicate that Wanda will be a major part of the movie, too giving her almost space to Strange himself:

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was delayed from March 25 to May 6 earlier this year, and has reportedly seen "significant reshoots", with Loki writer Michael Waldron reportedly working on new material.

After losing original director Scott Derrickson – who apparently wanted to make a different movie to Marvel – legendary director Sam Raimi came aboard to helm the project. The movie will also introduce America Chavez to the MCU.

Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

The first teaser trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been released, and teases appearances from Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, Mordo, and what seems to be a corrupted Doctor Strange doppelganger.

Revealed on Twitter shortly after the finale of Marvel's Hawkeye, it marks the first teaser for the next MCU release, due to come to theaters on May 6.

As you'd expect, the trailer keeps things somewhat vague, but it appears meddling with the multiverse has caused some serious problems for Strange, and we see glimpses of a marriage scene featuring Rachel McAdams' Dr. Christine Palmer, a very broken New York skyline, and an angry eye-squid monster, which we believe to be Shuma-Gorath.

Various characters hinted at in other MCU projects are confirmed to make an appearance too. As expected after the post-credits scene from the WandaVision finale, Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff makes an appearance, and Chiwetel Ejiofor returns as a seemingly more villainous Mordo, as hinted at by Doctor Strange's own post-credits scene. We also see glimpses of Xochitl Gomez' America Chavez throughout.

We also see a glimpse at what looks to be a corrupted version of Doctor Strange, who says "things just got out of hand" to our regular, and somewhat bemused, Stephen. He bears a resemblance to the tragically corrupted Strange featured in this year's What If...? Episode 4, although it's unclear if they're definitely the same character right now.

The first poster for the movie seems to indicate that Wanda will be a major part of the movie, too giving her almost space to Strange himself:

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was delayed from March 25 to May 6 earlier this year, and has reportedly seen "significant reshoots", with Loki writer Michael Waldron reportedly working on new material.

After losing original director Scott Derrickson – who apparently wanted to make a different movie to Marvel – legendary director Sam Raimi came aboard to helm the project. The movie will also introduce America Chavez to the MCU.

Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Halo Infinite's Winter Contingency event has officially launched and it features holiday-themed rewards for players to unwrap each day.

The "in-game Halo advent calendar" is rolling out at just the right moment, as the days are quite literally numbered on everyone's traditional Christmas calendars. Halo's virtual alternative will offer an exciting boost to those final days, with daily rewards up for grabs from December 21 through to December 30, per Halo Waypoint.

There are 10 unique Holiday-themed rewards to collect in total, which can be unlocked by jumping into Halo Infinite's free-to-play multiplayer and completing a match of Arena or Big Team Battle. The daily treats include festive "Peppermint Laughter" coatings for your armor and weapons, along with new shoulder pieces, emblems, and more.

The rewards will unlock over time, meaning they will not all be available on day one. According to this Reddit post, the first match each day will award one tier in the Winter Contingency pass, so players must log in to play at least one game per day for 10 out of the 14 days that the event is running, in order to secure the items and complete the pass.

Players will then have up until the morning of January 4, 2022, to catch up on any items they may have missed during their deck the halls brawls in December. Fortunately for you, we have a full campaign walkthrough, collectible locations, an interactive map, and a multiplayer guide to help you navigate the battlefield, whether you're donning peppermint-colored gear or not.

Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

Halo Infinite's Winter Contingency event has officially launched and it features holiday-themed rewards for players to unwrap each day.

The "in-game Halo advent calendar" is rolling out at just the right moment, as the days are quite literally numbered on everyone's traditional Christmas calendars. Halo's virtual alternative will offer an exciting boost to those final days, with daily rewards up for grabs from December 21 through to December 30, per Halo Waypoint.

There are 10 unique Holiday-themed rewards to collect in total, which can be unlocked by jumping into Halo Infinite's free-to-play multiplayer and completing a match of Arena or Big Team Battle. The daily treats include festive "Peppermint Laughter" coatings for your armor and weapons, along with new shoulder pieces, emblems, and more.

The rewards will unlock over time, meaning they will not all be available on day one. According to this Reddit post, the first match each day will award one tier in the Winter Contingency pass, so players must log in to play at least one game per day for 10 out of the 14 days that the event is running, in order to secure the items and complete the pass.

Players will then have up until the morning of January 4, 2022, to catch up on any items they may have missed during their deck the halls brawls in December. Fortunately for you, we have a full campaign walkthrough, collectible locations, an interactive map, and a multiplayer guide to help you navigate the battlefield, whether you're donning peppermint-colored gear or not.

Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla may have released in 2020, but the original game continues to inspire a wealth new content. And not just video game expansions. IGN can exclusively reveal Assassin's Creed Valla: Forgotten Myths, Dark Horse's latest comic book spinoff.

Forgotten Myths is a follow-up of sorts to Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Song of Glory, a book which acted as a direct prequel to the main game. This story, however, is specifically a prequel to the upcoming DLC expansion Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok, which thrusts main protagonist Eivor into the mythological realm of Svartalfheim to live out the exploits of the Norse gods. In short, this isn't your typical Assassin's Creed adventure.

Here's Dark Horse's official plot summary for the series:

Thor, Baldr, and Heimdall have discovered trouble lurking at Asgard’s borders once again. A mighty fire giant from Muspelheim is threatening the land of the Æsir. In the aftermath of the raging battle, Baldr discovers that the Muspels are now massing at the gates of Svartalfheim and begins a journey to bring peace to the realms.

Song of Glory artist Martín Túnica will return to draw Forgotten Myths. The series is written by Alex Freed (Dragon Age: The Silent Grove), colored by colored by Michael Atiyeh (Halo: Escalation) and lettered by Jimmy Betancourt (HYPER SCAPE), with covers by Rafael Sarmento (Stanger Things: Tomb of Ybwen).

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Forgotten Myths #1 will be released in comic shops and digital storefronts on March 16, 2022, shortly after Dawn of Ragnarok is released on PC and consoles.

As for the future of the Assassin's Creed franchise beyond Valhalla, Ubisoft is reportedly working on a new game called Assassin's Creed Infinity, one which would exist for years as a constantly evolving, Fortnite-style online experience.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla may have released in 2020, but the original game continues to inspire a wealth new content. And not just video game expansions. IGN can exclusively reveal Assassin's Creed Valla: Forgotten Myths, Dark Horse's latest comic book spinoff.

Forgotten Myths is a follow-up of sorts to Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Song of Glory, a book which acted as a direct prequel to the main game. This story, however, is specifically a prequel to the upcoming DLC expansion Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok, which thrusts main protagonist Eivor into the mythological realm of Svartalfheim to live out the exploits of the Norse gods. In short, this isn't your typical Assassin's Creed adventure.

Here's Dark Horse's official plot summary for the series:

Thor, Baldr, and Heimdall have discovered trouble lurking at Asgard’s borders once again. A mighty fire giant from Muspelheim is threatening the land of the Æsir. In the aftermath of the raging battle, Baldr discovers that the Muspels are now massing at the gates of Svartalfheim and begins a journey to bring peace to the realms.

Song of Glory artist Martín Túnica will return to draw Forgotten Myths. The series is written by Alex Freed (Dragon Age: The Silent Grove), colored by colored by Michael Atiyeh (Halo: Escalation) and lettered by Jimmy Betancourt (HYPER SCAPE), with covers by Rafael Sarmento (Stanger Things: Tomb of Ybwen).

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Forgotten Myths #1 will be released in comic shops and digital storefronts on March 16, 2022, shortly after Dawn of Ragnarok is released on PC and consoles.

As for the future of the Assassin's Creed franchise beyond Valhalla, Ubisoft is reportedly working on a new game called Assassin's Creed Infinity, one which would exist for years as a constantly evolving, Fortnite-style online experience.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced its shortlists for various categories ahead of the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects.

The Visual Effects category is populated with blockbuster films such as Dune, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and No Time to Die. The MCU dominates the list with all four of its feature films from the past year making appearances in the shortlisted line-up, including the first movie of Phase 4, Black Widow, starring Scarlett Johansson in the titular role.

Here are the ten films that remain in the running for the Oscars 2022 Visual Effects category:

• Black Widow
• Dune
• Eternals
• Free Guy
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife
• Godzilla vs. Kong
• The Matrix Resurrections
• No Time to Die
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
• Spider-Man: No Way Home

Warner Bros. Tenet took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects at the 93rd Academy Awards, and the studio has a few contenders in the mix again this time, with Dune, Godzilla vs. Kong, and The Matrix Resurrections all making it onto the shortlist to potentially take a spot as a nominee in the Best Visual Effects category at the Oscars 2022.

In addition to No Way Home, Sony Pictures features on the list with Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which earned $44 million at the US box office during its opening weekend. Films from other studios also appear, with 20th Century Studios' Free Guy named as a contender alongside MGM/United Artists Releasing's latest James Bond movie, No Time to Die.

All members of the Visual Effects Branch will be invited to view 10-minute excerpts and interviews with the artists from each of the shortlisted films on January 29, 2022. Branch members will then vote to nominate five films for Oscar consideration, with the final Academy Awards nominees being announced on February 8, 2022. Stay tuned to IGN for more!

Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced its shortlists for various categories ahead of the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects.

The Visual Effects category is populated with blockbuster films such as Dune, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and No Time to Die. The MCU dominates the list with all four of its feature films from the past year making appearances in the shortlisted line-up, including the first movie of Phase 4, Black Widow, starring Scarlett Johansson in the titular role.

Here are the ten films that remain in the running for the Oscars 2022 Visual Effects category:

• Black Widow
• Dune
• Eternals
• Free Guy
• Ghostbusters: Afterlife
• Godzilla vs. Kong
• The Matrix Resurrections
• No Time to Die
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
• Spider-Man: No Way Home

Warner Bros. Tenet took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects at the 93rd Academy Awards, and the studio has a few contenders in the mix again this time, with Dune, Godzilla vs. Kong, and The Matrix Resurrections all making it onto the shortlist to potentially take a spot as a nominee in the Best Visual Effects category at the Oscars 2022.

In addition to No Way Home, Sony Pictures features on the list with Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which earned $44 million at the US box office during its opening weekend. Films from other studios also appear, with 20th Century Studios' Free Guy named as a contender alongside MGM/United Artists Releasing's latest James Bond movie, No Time to Die.

All members of the Visual Effects Branch will be invited to view 10-minute excerpts and interviews with the artists from each of the shortlisted films on January 29, 2022. Branch members will then vote to nominate five films for Oscar consideration, with the final Academy Awards nominees being announced on February 8, 2022. Stay tuned to IGN for more!

Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.