Fortnite Teases Innersloth Collaboration After Admitting Impostors Mode Was Inspired By Among Us
Update: Epic Games appears to have buried the hatchet with Innersloth. In a new post on Twitter, the official Fortnite account joked about how Among Us "inspired us" and teased a collaboration with Innersloth."Big fans!" Fortnite's account wrote. "We never got to talk about how you inspired us. What do you think about working on something fun together sometime?"
Big fans! We never got to talk about how you inspired us. What do you think about working on something fun together sometime?
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) October 12, 2021
The Among Us account responded enthusiastically, asking that Fortnite have "ur Agents contact our Cremates." So it sounds like the new partnership is set. Expect an announcement soon.
Original Story: Epic Games has finally acknowledged that Fortnite's cloak-and-dagger style Impostors game mode was inspired by Innersloth's Among Us.
As part of a blog post detailing the game's latest patch notes, Epic Games noted a number of changes to its Impostors mode while also clarifying what influenced the concept's initial inception. "v18.20 brings improvements to Impostors, the game mode inspired by Among Us from Innersloth," reads the post.
Despite Epic's acknowledgement, at present, this seems to be the only nod toward Among Us. As reported by Eurogamer, Impostor's in-game description hasn't been updated to include a reference to Innersloth's game — a factor that some fans may still find disappointing.
Impostors initially entered Fortnite back in August. Upon its release, the game mode was quickly called out by various members of the Among Us development team. At the time, the devs pointed out a range of similarities between the two games raising questions over Impostor's map design, overarching themes and terminology used.
Elsewhere in the patch notes, Epic also spoke about the changes set to appear in Impostors. As part of the update, the mode now includes a Role Bias feature that allows players to assign a preference over whether they'd rather be an Impostor or Agent in the game – though with only two Impostors and eight Agents per round, it's unlikely to guarantee your first choice every time.
The game mode will also now feature a playlist with open voice chat, which, in a similar fashion to Among Us, will split players into different channels based upon whether they have or haven't been eliminated. The change shouldn't impact fans who don't want to engage in open chat too much though, as Epic says that players who prefer no voice communication can still select an Impostors playlist with only Quick Chat enabled.
While updates continue to roll out across the game, recent reports suggest that discussions have been held at Epic Games over the potential to make a Fortnite feature film. This would seemingly form part of larger plans from the company to expand into wider media.
Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
G4 Will Officially Relaunch Next Month
At long last, G4 will officially be making its return on November 16, 2021.
In 2021, G4 will launch on not only "the channel lineups of Verizon Fios, Cox, and Xfinity TV," but it will also stream on "Philo and collaborate with Twitch on a multi-year promotional and commercial partnership through G4's official Twitch channel." Channel-specific content will also be featured on G4's social platforms and YouTube.
G4 programming is set to be "delivered through a first-of-its-kind 24/7 broadcast studio" which looks to also serve as a collaborative workplace and professional esports and gaming environment. G4's studio is located in Burbank, California and is designed by Populous, the company behind Yankee Stadium, Red Bull HQ, and Esports Stadium Arlington.
11.16.2021 pic.twitter.com/6OvQPJNsO6
— G4TV (@G4TV) October 12, 2021
The official lineup at launch features the return of such classic shows as Xplay and Attack of the Show alongside new shows like the weekly esports comedy series Boosted. The launch lineup, with descriptions from G4, is as follows;
- Attack of the Show!: The original geek culture variety show returns with host Kevin Pereira and a brand new cavalcade of misfits. Irreverent and unscripted, Attack of the Show! is a welcoming place for any fan who wants to spend a couple of hours laughing, watching epic stunts and hilarious sketches, and deep-diving
into the latest trends of the internet. From hilarious web videos to memes, to streaming of all types, to celebrity guests, to the weirdest tech, Attack of the Show! is still the show that gets it before it gets out. - Xplay: Xplay used an extra life! The ultimate video game review show returns as a digital-first content brand that balances an authoritative loudmouth confidence with the absurdity of a public-access comedy sketch show, all while (somehow) maintaining enough credibility to book interviews with top industry luminaries. Xplay is expanding the conversation with insightful and irreverent explorations into every game worth your time: AAA, indie, mobile, VR, retro… it’s all on the table. Adam Sessler is back, joined by a group of hilarious experts, to bring a brutally honest voice to the modern gaming scene.
- Boosted: Boosted is a weekly esports comedy series for curious gamers and esports fanatics alike. Boosted is that moment in-game when you realize you’re the worst player in the lobby. We want to revel in the entry-level as we approach gaming and esports as interns guided by our executive-level experts. Boosted will cover the latest trends, news, and tournaments in the esports world every week.
- Ninja Warrior: The quest to summit Mt. Midoriyama returns as G4 attains the exclusive linear broadcasting rights to SASUKE, better known as Ninja Warrior in the United States, from Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. (TBS). G4 will air all 167 episodes of the legendary competition series that pits heroic athletes of all types from pro gymnasts, to fishermen, to comedians against a four-stage, formidable, and/or impossible obstacle course. G4 will also present three tournaments never-before-seen in the United States, SASUKE 35, 36, and 37.
- ESL Gaming: G4 has partnered with ESL Gaming, the world’s leading esports and gaming lifestyle company, to produce and broadcast several prime-time esports programs, a first for ESL Gaming in the US and Canada. G4’s exclusive linear broadcast rights make it the premier destination for ESL Pro Tourevents including the IEM Katowice 2022.
- Dungeons & Dragons Limited Series: Coming off the immense success of D&D Live 2021 featuring notable celebrities like Jack Black, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Smith, and DrLupo, G4 will continue its partnership with Wizards of the Coast with an all-new, limited-run series to premiere on G4 this Fall. The series will follow four campaigns with a mix of G4 talent, veteran D&D players, and celebrities for a new generation of D&D fans.
At launch, G4 will see the return of hosts Kevin Pereira and Adam Sessler; esports personalities like Alex "Goldenboy" Mendez, Ovilee May, and Froskurinn; WWE Superstar Xavier Woods AKA Austin Creed; YouTube personalities like Kassem G, Jirard "The Completionist" Khalil, and Gina Darling; Twitch streamers like Fiona Nova and Will Neff; vStreamer CodeMiko; and "a degenerate rat-puppet named Ratty."
“Since the initial announcement of G4’s revival at Comic-Con @ Home last year, we’ve been in constant dialogue with our audience through the content we’ve produced,” said Russell Arons, President, G4. “We made a promise to fans that we would build this network with their input and are proud to say that our promise has been kept. At G4, we never stopped playing and can’t wait to have our fans join us in our hilarious and fairly preposterous sandbox on November 16.”
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Someone Made the First iPhone with USB-C
USB-C has been around since 2014, but if you have ever owned an iPhone or are heavily invested in the iOS ecosystem, you'll know Apple has yet to make an iPhone that uses USB-C charging. If you ever wondered what an iPhone would look like with USB-C, someone has finally created one.
Ken Pillonel, a robotics engineering student, uploaded a video on YouTube (spotted first by Apple Insider). He showed off a modded iPhone X he used, which swaps out the Lightning port with USB-C. Pillonel claims that the modded iPhone not only supports USB-C charging but is capable of handling data transfers through a USB-C cable.
This was not the first time Pillonel attempted to make a USB-C iPhone. In May, he created a prototype, but it only allowed the iPhone's battery to be charged over the USB-C port as the PCB board did not fit and would compromise the smartphone's functionality. To ensure the proof of concept worked, Pillonel notes that he had to create his own PCB design by reverse-engineering Apple's custom C94 connector.
Although the video is brief and does not detail how he modded his iPhone to include a USB-C port, Pillonel notes that he is currently editing a full video that explains how he managed to create it. Though he does not confirm nor deny whether or not he will share information on the custom PCB he made.
News of the first iPhone with USB-C support comes just a few weeks after the European Commission announced plans to force electronic companies to adopt USB-C as the universal charger. It's a standard that would impact Apple in particular, which has used Lightning ports in its smartphones since 2012, starting with the iPhone 5.
While Apple has not responded on how it will address this new EU standard, the company could either create an iPhone that features a USB-C port or make an iPhone that solely relies on wireless charging. This would not be too far out of reach, as the company introduced MagSafe into its iPhones in 2020, yet it is important to remember that Apple's smartphones have supported wireless Qi standard charging since 2017.
Thumbnail image by Mohssen Assanimoghaddam/picture alliance via Getty Images.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
Metroid Dread Includes a Secret Boss Death Just for Sequence Breakers
Players have discovered a sequence-breaking moment in Metroid Dread that allows you to instantly defeat one of its early bosses if you find one of Samus' upgrades earlier than intended.
SPOILERS AHEAD for Metroid Dread
In Metroid Dread, Samus once again runs into the space pirate monstrosity known as Kraid. It's one of the earlier boss fights and features two phases that will test your skill in the game up to that point. However, if you are able to go a bit out of your way to obtain the Grapple Beam and then the Morph Ball Bombs, you can dispatch this giant lizard in the blink of an eye.
As shown by @Glaedrax on Twitter, Samus can destroy a part of the wall to the left with her Morph Ball Bombs and enter that part of the wall she destroyed to be shot right into Kraid's stomach. Once inside, Samus absolutely wrecks Kraid's insides and ends the fight without having to go through any of its phases.
You can do something funny to Kraid if you get bombs early, just like I thought :^)#MetroidDread #MetroidDreadSpoilers #NintendoSwitch pic.twitter.com/oOTBubpHmi
— Glaedrax - Sequence breaking Dread (@glaedrax) October 10, 2021
Due to the open-ended nature of Metroid games, sequence breaking has long been a part of its storied history. However, this may be the first time players have been rewarded for thinking outside the box and getting upgrades earlier than many other players would.
In our Metroid Dread review, we said that it " brings back the legendary exploration and progression and merges it with excellent modern combat and some of the best boss fights ever."
For more, check out our full Metroid Dread walkthrough, 20 essential tips, how to survive and defeat the E.M.M.I., and the locations of all the Artaria Missle Tanks, Energy Tanks, and Power Bomb Tanks.
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
The Activision Blizzard Lawsuits Have Hit a Major Snag
New information linked to the $18 million settlement between Activision Blizzard and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC] has shown potential ethical violations that may have a larger effect on the wider lawsuit between the company and California's Department for Employment and Housing [DFEH].
As reported by PC Gamer, the DFEH objected to a settlement between the EEOC and Activision Blizzard last week, on the basis the terms of the settlement could seal evidence necessary to its own case and cause harm to the DFEH's lawsuit against the company.
In response, a document filed by the EEOC opposing the DFEH's appeal raised a number of points and seemingly unearthed information that could not only undermine the department's appeal against the settlement but also its wider legal argument against Activision Blizzard.
According to the memorandum, the EEOC says that up until recently the DFEH's case against Activision Blizzard was being led by two lawyers who had previously worked for the EEOC and in particular on its own case against the company. If this is to be true, it would make the DFEH's objection a conflict of interest and could also be seen to be a breach of professional ethics as well as a violation of California's Rules of Professional Conduct.
"Specifically, two DFEH attorneys -- who play leadership roles within the organisation -- previously served as EEOC who helped to direct the EEOC's investigation into Commissioner's Charge No. 480-2018-05212 against Activision Blizzard, Inc," the memorandum states.
"These same attorneys then proceeded to represent DFEH in connection with these intervention proceedings, which seek to oppose the consent decree that arose out of the very investigation they helped to direct while at the EEOC."
The DFEH seemed to have realized the slip up before filing its appeal as it replaced the two lawyers on the case. However, the EEOC's memorandum claims that as the DFEH's appeal was filed only a few hours after the department had brought in new counsel, it could still have had input from the lawyers in question.
"After being informed of this conflict, DFEH retained new counsel but appears to have filed the present intervention motion just hours after this counsel was retained, strongly suggesting that the motion is a product of the prohibited representation. For this reason, the intervention motion should be disallowed and DFEH attorneys should be barred from providing work product to, or advising, new counsel in connection with these intervention proceedings."
Elsewhere in the memorandum, the EEOC argues that not only would the two attorneys have likely been involved in the case, but moreover they would have worked with and directed other members of the DFEH's legal department on it too - therefore leading to the claim that the DFEH's entire legal department should be barred from being able to take the objection forward any further.
"There can be no claim that there was timely 'isolation of [these] lawyer[s] from any participation' in representing DFEH in connection with the intervention proceedings, as would be necessary to show that timely screening took place. Thus, all DFEH attorneys were and should remain barred from representing DFEH in this matter."
On Twitter, video games lawyer and host of the Virtual Legality Podcast Richard Hoeg shared his reaction to the legal dispute between the EEOC and DFEH. He said, "This is a pretty massive thing, and if true would call into question large portions of the DFEH process (certainly as against the EEOC directly). Hoeg went on to further suggest it could even provide Activision its own defense to the DFEH's original suit.
Direct Link: https://t.co/YPjkukZPzG
— Richard Hoeg (@HoegLaw) October 9, 2021
This is a pretty massive thing, and if true would call into question large portions of the DFEH process (certainly as against the EEOC directly). It might even provide Activision with its own defense to the oroginal suit.
Stay tuned.
To read up further on the serious ongoing allegations of harassment and mistreatment of marginalized workers that Activision Blizzard is facing, please visit our timeline as well as our in-depth report on the subject.
Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
No Time To Die Cast Says Goodbye to Daniel Craig in Emotional Final Video
Daniel Craig's No Time To Die castmates have paid a heartfelt tribute to the actor to coincide with his fifth and final outing as James Bond.
To celebrate Daniel Craig's five-film tenure as James Bond, IGN rounded up some messages from the No Time To Die cast to cap off 15 years of service playing Bond on the big screen, with Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Jeffrey Wright, and Billy Magnussen all bidding farewell to the 007 actor as he hangs up his tuxedo for one last time. Watch below:
"The dedication to the work is something that I've never witnessed before," Nomi star Lashana Lynch said of Craig, praising his humor and devotion to the role. "He's so giving... and because he gives his best work, you're able to give your best work. We thank you for being the best ever and for carrying us through cinema history in a way that we never anticipated."
Jeffrey Wright, who plays CIA agent Felix Leiter in the films, expressed congratulations to his co-star by offering him a short but sweet message of approval, while Billy Magnussen, who portrays CIA operative Logan Ash in the new 007 movie, reflected on Craig's long-spanning commitment to the franchise, calling it an "honor" to witness it play out.
"I want to thank him because it was incredible to work with him," Madeleine Swann star Léa Seydoux said in her teary tribute to the actor. "I have great admiration for the work he has done with this character. I feel very lucky to have been part of this film, but also very lucky to have worked with him… He deserves to have all of the success that he has with the film."
In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
The 25th Bond film earned an estimated $56 million at the US box office in its first weekend and surpassed $300 million globally, securing a box office win over Venom: Let There Be Carnage's $32 million, with the fifth-best US opening during the COVID-19 pandemic era. If you haven't seen it yet, we have a rundown of everything you need to know before watching.
Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
Epic Games Is Reportedly Considering Making a Fortnite Movie
Epic Games is reportedly considering making a Fortnite feature film as part of the company's plans to expand into wider media.
A report from The Information claims that discussions have already taken place over the prospect of a Fortnite film adaptation. Those talks have also reportedly formed part of a broader conversation at Epic about the possibility of "launching an entertainment division focused on scripted video programming" as a way to diversify the studio's brands.
The report notes that three former Lucasfilm employees have joined Epic Games this year, including Epic's new president of Special Projects, Jason McGatlin. He previously served as the vice president of Physical Production at Lucasfilm and was executive producer of all the Star Wars films released by Disney. He's joined by Lynn Bartsch and Chris Furia.
Epic is said to be looking at taking steps into the film and television arena amid its legal disputes with Apple and Google. Apple effectively banned Fortnite from returning to the App Store last month by saying it would not reinstate Epic's developer account until the legal battle is complete, which Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney says could take as long as five years.
If you've not been keeping up with Epic and Apple's disagreement, it began when Epic implemented a direct-pay system into Fortnite, which meant the money from V-bucks purchases went straight to Epic, bypassing the App Store and ensuring Apple didn't take a cut. Apple responded by removing Fortnite from iOS devices and this led to Epic suing Apple.
Epic has also filed a similar suit against Google over Fortnite's removal from its Play store, as the decision made by Google further dashed the company's ambitions for the mobile market. Epic is now seemingly in search of new ways to grow its library of game franchises, as more and more gaming studios turn to filmmaking in a bid to boost revenues.
In recent years, Fortnite has doubled up as a virtual platform to host film screenings and musical performances, with three Christopher Nolan films being screened for free at Party Royale's Big Screen last year. Nolan also collaborated with Epic Games' popular battle royale shooter to debut a new Tenet trailer on the platform in the lead up to the film's release.
Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Casts Will Poulter as Adam Warlock
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will follow through on a teaser from the end of the last film by finally introducing Adam Warlock in the third Guardians movie.
Deadline is reporting that the next Guardians of the Galaxy movie has cast Will Poulter (Midsommar, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch) as the character that was first teased at the end of 2017’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
While Guardian 2's main villain was Ego, played by Kurt Russell, a plot in the movie involved the Guardians helping out then betraying an alien race known as the Sovereign, led by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki). Humiliated by the betrayal, Ayesha was last seen overlooking the creation of a perfect being named Adam that she will use to destroy the Guardians.
How exactly Adam Warlock will be introduced in the third movie is being kept under wraps and there's a good chance Adam Warlock will diverge from his comic origins.
Adam Warlock was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, though has undergone some major revisions over the years. Originally an artificial being created by a group known as the Enclave, Adam Warlock has been reborn into the Marvel universe numerous times as either a hero or a villain. He is typically more involved with the cosmic aspects of the Marvel universe.
Meaning he’s a perfect character for Marvel Phase Four which has already introduced the multiverse, countless alternate timelines, and more.
To keep abreast of it all check out IGN's rundown of everything you can expect from the MCU in Marvel's Phase Four, or check out our review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.
Former Daredevil Showrunner Won’t Work for Marvel Again Due to Controversial Comics Editor-in-Chief
Marvel Comics writer and former Daredevil showrunner Steven S. DeKnight says he is done working with Marvel Comics until Editor in Chief C.B. Cebulski's controversial past — where he pretended to be a Japanese man — is properly addressed.
On Twitter, DeKnight said, "I can’t in good conscience accept any additional work until this is resolved. I hope other creatives will follow suit."
Completely unacceptable. Writing for Marvel is a childhood dream come true. My next issues come out in December. But I can’t in good conscience accept any additional work until this is resolved. I hope other creatives will follow suit. https://t.co/vbKReksGk8
— Steven DeKnight (@stevendeknight) October 9, 2021
Cebulski previously wrote under a fake Japanese name, Akira Yoshida, working with Marvel Comics on franchises including X-Men, Thor, Fantastic Four, and more.
According to a 2017 report from Bleeding Cool, Marvel liked working with "Yoshida" because he was from a non-English speaking country who could write well for American audiences, which provided Marvel with an "authentic voice" to continue partnering with.
Instead of just a pen name, reports say a lot of effort was made to present Yoshida as a real, Japanese person. "Yoshida" even gave interviews talking about growing up in Japan and learning English from American comics. Cebulski went as far as to say he had lunch with Yoshida, and that he would provide pictures to prove it. The proof, however, never came.
In 2017, the same time Cebulski was promoted to Editor-In-Chief, Cebulski admitted what he had done to Marvel executives.
He eventually confirmed this to Johnston, saying, "I stopped writing under the pseudonym Akira Yoshida after about a year. It wasn't transparent, but it taught me a lot about writing, communication and pressure. I was young and naïve and had a lot to learn back then. But this is all old news that has been dealt with, and now as Marvel's new Editor-in-Chief, I'm turning a new page and am excited to start sharing all my Marvel experiences with up and coming talent around the globe."
While this has been public information since 2017, it seems DeKnight is just uncovering it for himself now.
This just came to my attention. If he had been made EIC twenty years ago, I would still feel the same. https://t.co/UcPk3r1zKB
— Steven DeKnight (@stevendeknight) October 11, 2021
DeKnight worked on the 2015 Daredevil TV show for Netflix and was the showrunner on the critically-acclaimed first season. On the comics side, he penned part of the Wastelanders series that's coming this December.
The writer recognizes that just one person stepping away from Marvel won't have much of an impact, but is one of the highest-profile writers to bring up Cebulski's past in recent years.
Once again, time to get back to work. In the grand scheme of Marvel, who I have loved since childhood, me not working with them in comics over this will probably have zero impact. But I can't in good conscience write for a company that promoted this man to editor-in-chief.
— Steven DeKnight (@stevendeknight) October 10, 2021
For more on the business side of Marvel Comics, check out Marvel's decision from earlier this year to shift to Penguin Random House in a multi-year partnership.
Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.
Scream 2022: Even the Cast Didn’t Know Who Was Under Ghostface’s Mask for Some of the Shoot
The identity of the next Scream movie's incarnation of Ghostface was so secret that members of the cast on the upcoming movie were intentionally kept from knowing who was under the mask for some of the shoot.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Tyler Gillett said that the crew had intentionally kept the identity of Ghostface a secret for as long as possible in order to ensure that as many people as possible were kept in the dark for the film's big 'whodunit' reveal.
"We were really careful to protect the big reveal of the movie," says Gillett. "We went as far as to withhold those moments in the script from the actors. We wanted everybody involved, to the degree that we could, to be a part of the whodunit. Obviously, you get to a point in the shoot where you have to let the cat out of the bag, but we went pretty far into prep and into production with a surprising amount of secrecy maintained."
Part of the attraction to the Scream franchise is its commitment to secrecy. Every movie's Ghostface has been a major reveal, and the fifth movie won't be an exception. Little has been revealed about the film's plot, with many of the cast members keeping it closely under wraps. As part of the interview with EW, however, returning series veteran David Arquette spoke a little about his character's return in the upcoming film. "Dewey's had a rough life of it, and in the fourth Scream, they wanted me to get rid of his limp," he says. "But he's got the limp back; I can give you that much!"
Arquette is set to be joined in the film by returning co-star Neve Campbell who plays the series main protagonist, Sidney Prescott, as well as Courtney Cox who is reprising her role as reporter Gale Weathers. Following the news of her return, Campbell said in a statement that she was confident that Wes Craven's franchise is in good hands.
“After spending time speaking with Radio Silence [Productions], they have shown such love, respect and admiration for Wes Craven and all that he’s created in the Scream franchise," Campbell said. "I am beyond excited to step back into the role of Sidney Prescott and return to Woodsboro.”
Scream (2022) is set to release in theatres on January 14, 2022. To keep up with a range of the latest news and features from across the movie, make sure to check out our dedicated Scream IGN page.
Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
