Evo 2021's return to Las Vegas has been canceled due to rising concerns surrounding the Delta Variant of COVID-19. In a tweet, Evo's organizer said they will continue to work on bringing back big, live events.

The statement said, in part, "The players invited to participate in the Evo 2021 Showcase represent many of the best fighters in the world. We're incredibly saddened to cancel the event." You can read the whole statement below.

Update regarding the Evo 2021 Showcase: pic.twitter.com/DjUbNXV3EP

— EVO (@EVO) September 29, 2021

Evo 2021 was scheduled to take place in Las Vegas on November 27 and 28. The lineup was set to include Guilty Gear Strive, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, Skullgirls 2nd Encore, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, and Tekken 7. Evo is still scheduled to hold an in-person event in Las Vegas in August of 2022.

Last month, Evo held its Evo 2021 Online event, which featured players from all around the world. The last in-person event was held in 2019, as Evo 2020 was canceled shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Last year, the Evo community was also rocked by a sexual abuse scandal surrounding Evo organizer Joey Cuellar. This caused multiple companies to pull out of 2020's Evo Online events. Cuellar was put on leave shortly after the allegations came to light.

Earlier this year, PlayStation bought the Evo Fighting Game Championship Series. Despite that, the event is still open to platforms beyond PlayStation, according to Evo team members. Super Smash Bros. was noticeably absent from this year's planned lineup, with Nintendo saying, "we will continue to assess Evo, and other opportunities, as we plan for future online and offline Super Smash Bros. tournament activity.”

Other gaming events are also taking the Coronavirus into account, with the Call of Duty League becoming the first major esports organization to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test ahead of its 2021 Championship Weekend last month.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Evo 2021's return to Las Vegas has been canceled due to rising concerns surrounding the Delta Variant of COVID-19. In a tweet, Evo's organizer said they will continue to work on bringing back big, live events.

The statement said, in part, "The players invited to participate in the Evo 2021 Showcase represent many of the best fighters in the world. We're incredibly saddened to cancel the event." You can read the whole statement below.

Update regarding the Evo 2021 Showcase: pic.twitter.com/DjUbNXV3EP

— EVO (@EVO) September 29, 2021

Evo 2021 was scheduled to take place in Las Vegas on November 27 and 28. The lineup was set to include Guilty Gear Strive, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, Skullgirls 2nd Encore, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, and Tekken 7. Evo is still scheduled to hold an in-person event in Las Vegas in August of 2022.

Last month, Evo held its Evo 2021 Online event, which featured players from all around the world. The last in-person event was held in 2019, as Evo 2020 was canceled shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Last year, the Evo community was also rocked by a sexual abuse scandal surrounding Evo organizer Joey Cuellar. This caused multiple companies to pull out of 2020's Evo Online events. Cuellar was put on leave shortly after the allegations came to light.

Earlier this year, PlayStation bought the Evo Fighting Game Championship Series. Despite that, the event is still open to platforms beyond PlayStation, according to Evo team members. Super Smash Bros. was noticeably absent from this year's planned lineup, with Nintendo saying, "we will continue to assess Evo, and other opportunities, as we plan for future online and offline Super Smash Bros. tournament activity.”

Other gaming events are also taking the Coronavirus into account, with the Call of Duty League becoming the first major esports organization to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test ahead of its 2021 Championship Weekend last month.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Netflix subscribers have a ton to look forward to this October, from the arrival of the legendary sitcom Seinfeld to the zombie-less Army of the Dead prequel Army of Thieves to a brand-new season of Locke and Key. Movie fans are also in for a treat as such classics as Titanic, Step Brothers, and Tommy Boy will also become available from the first of the month.

Check out the trailer for Locke & Key's second season below:

Netflix's creepy series You returns for a third season this month and explores how main character Joe Goldberg deals with the responsibility of fatherhood. Will Smith's Bright is also getting an anime spin-off that follows an orc assassin who sets out to rescue an elf orphan from their shared enemy.

If you miss Gravity Falls as much as we do, we also recommend giving Inside Job a shot. This new series from Gravity Falls' Alex Hirsch and Shion Takeuchi follows the employees of Deep State and their attempts to keep real conspiracies secret.

Colin Kaepernick will also have a chance to tell his story with a new drama series from him and Ava DuVernay that will follow a young Kaepernick's "high school years and the experiences that led him to become an activist."

Check out the slideshow gallery below for highlights of Netflix's October offerings followed by the full list (U.S. Netflix only):

October 1

• A Sinister Sect: Colonia Dignidad -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Diana: The Musical -- NETFLIX SPECIAL
• Forever Rich -- NETFLIX FILM
• The Guilty -- NETFLIX FILM
• MAID -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Paik's Spirit -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Scaredy Cats -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• The Seven Deadly Sins: Cursed by Light -- NETFLIX ANIME
• Swallow -- NETFLIX FILM
• A Knight's Tale
• An Inconvenient Truth
• Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Season 1
• As Good as It Gets
• Awakenings
• B.A.P.S.
• Bad Teacher
• The Cave
• Desperado
• The Devil Inside
• Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
• Double Team
• The DUFF
• Eagle Eye
• Endless Love
• Ghost
• Gladiator
• Hairspray (2007)
• The Holiday
• Jet Li's Fearless
• The Karate Kid (2010)
• Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
• Léon: The Professional
• Malcolm X
• Observe and Report
• Once Upon a Time in Mexico
• Project X
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
• Rumor Has It...
• Seinfeld: Seasons 1-9
• Serendipity
• Spy Kids
• Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
• Spy Kids 3: Game Over
• Step Brothers
• The Ugly Truth
• Till Death
• Titanic
• Tommy Boy
• Unthinkable
• Waterworld
• Zodiac

October 3

• Scissor Seven: Season 3 -- NETFLIX ANIME
• Upcoming Summer -- NETFLIX FILM

October 4

• On My Block: Season 4 -- NETFLIX SERIES

October 5

• Escape The Undertaker -- NETFLIX FILM

October 6

• Bad Sport -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Baking Impossible -- NETFLIX SERIES
• The Blacklist: Season 8
• Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things
• The Five Juanas -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Love Is Blind: Brazil -- NETFLIX SERIES (new episodes weekly)
• There's Someone Inside Your House -- NETFLIX FILM

October 7

• The Billion Dollar Code -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Sexy Beasts: Season 2 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• ​​The Way of the Househusband: Season 1 Part 2 -- NETFLIX ANIME

October 8

• A Tale Dark & Grimm -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Family Business: Season 3 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Grudge / Kin -- NETFLIX FILM
• ​​LOL Surprise: The Movie
• My Brother, My Sister -- NETFLIX FILM
• Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Pretty Smart -- NETFLIX SERIES

October 9

• Blue Period -- NETFLIX ANIME
• Insidious: Chapter 2

October 11

• The Baby-Sitters Club: Season 2 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Going in Style
• The King's Affection -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Shameless (U.S.): Season 11

October 12

• Bright: Samurai Soul -- NETFLIX ANIME
• Convergence: Courage in a Crisis -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Making Malinche: A Documentary by Nacho Cano -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Mighty Express: Season 5 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• The Movies That Made Us: Season 3 -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It
• Smart People

October 13

• Fever Dream / Distancia de Rescate -- NETFLIX FILM
• Hiacynt -- NETFLIX FILM
• Love Is Blind: Brazil -- NETFLIX SERIES (new episodes weekly)
• Reflection of You -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Violet Evergarden the Movie

October 14

• Another Life: Season 2 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• ​​In the Dark: Season 3
• One Night in Paris -- NETFLIX FILM

October 15

• CoComelon: Season 4
• The Forgotten Battle -- NETFLIX FILM
• The Four of Us -- NETFLIX FILM
• Karma's World -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Little Things: Season 4 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• My Name -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Power Rangers Dino Fury: Season 1
• Sharkdog's Fintastic Halloween -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• The Trip -- NETFLIX FILM
• You: Season 3 -- NETFLIX SERIES

October 16

• Misfit: The Series -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• ​​Victoria & Abdul

October 19

• In for a Murder / W jak morderstwo -- NETFLIX FILM

October 20

• Found -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Gabby's Dollhouse: Season 3 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Love Is Blind: Brazil -- NETFLIX SERIES (new episodes weekly)
• Night Teeth -- NETFLIX FILM
• Stuck Together -- NETFLIX FILM

October 21

• Flip a Coin -ONE OK ROCK Documentary -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Go! Go! Cory Carson: Season 6 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Insiders -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Komi Can't Communicate -- NETFLIX ANIME
• Life's a Glitch with Julien Bam -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Sex, Love & goop -- NETFLIX SERIES

October 22

• Adventure Beast -- NETFLIX SERIES
• ​​Dynasty: Season 4
• Inside Job -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Little Big Mouth -- NETFLIX FILM
• Locke & Key: Season 2 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Maya and the Three -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• More than Blue: The Series -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Roaring Twenties -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

October 24

• We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks

October 25

• King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

October 26

• Roswell, New Mexico: Season 3
• Sex: Unzipped -- NETFLIX SERIES

October 27

• Begin Again
• Hypnotic -- NETFLIX FILM
• Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight Part 2 -- NETFLIX FILM
• Sintonia: Season 2 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Wentworth: Season 8

October 28

• Luis Miguel - The Series: Season 3 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• The Motive -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

October 29

• Army of Thieves -- NETFLIX FILM
• Colin in Black & White -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Dear Mother -- NETFLIX FILM
• Mythomaniac: Season 2 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Roaring Twenties -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY (new episodes)
• Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go
• The Time It Takes -- NETFLIX SERIES

Coming Soon

• A World Without -- NETFLIX FILM
• An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Call My Agent: Bollywood -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Encounters: Season 1
• House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Inspector Koo -- NETFLIX SERIES
• The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

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.

Netflix subscribers have a ton to look forward to this October, from the arrival of the legendary sitcom Seinfeld to the zombie-less Army of the Dead prequel Army of Thieves to a brand-new season of Locke and Key. Movie fans are also in for a treat as such classics as Titanic, Step Brothers, and Tommy Boy will also become available from the first of the month.

Check out the trailer for Locke & Key's second season below:

Netflix's creepy series You returns for a third season this month and explores how main character Joe Goldberg deals with the responsibility of fatherhood. Will Smith's Bright is also getting an anime spin-off that follows an orc assassin who sets out to rescue an elf orphan from their shared enemy.

If you miss Gravity Falls as much as we do, we also recommend giving Inside Job a shot. This new series from Gravity Falls' Alex Hirsch and Shion Takeuchi follows the employees of Deep State and their attempts to keep real conspiracies secret.

Colin Kaepernick will also have a chance to tell his story with a new drama series from him and Ava DuVernay that will follow a young Kaepernick's "high school years and the experiences that led him to become an activist."

Check out the slideshow gallery below for highlights of Netflix's October offerings followed by the full list (U.S. Netflix only):

October 1

• A Sinister Sect: Colonia Dignidad -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Diana: The Musical -- NETFLIX SPECIAL
• Forever Rich -- NETFLIX FILM
• The Guilty -- NETFLIX FILM
• MAID -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Paik's Spirit -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Scaredy Cats -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• The Seven Deadly Sins: Cursed by Light -- NETFLIX ANIME
• Swallow -- NETFLIX FILM
• A Knight's Tale
• An Inconvenient Truth
• Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Season 1
• As Good as It Gets
• Awakenings
• B.A.P.S.
• Bad Teacher
• The Cave
• Desperado
• The Devil Inside
• Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
• Double Team
• The DUFF
• Eagle Eye
• Endless Love
• Ghost
• Gladiator
• Hairspray (2007)
• The Holiday
• Jet Li's Fearless
• The Karate Kid (2010)
• Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
• Léon: The Professional
• Malcolm X
• Observe and Report
• Once Upon a Time in Mexico
• Project X
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
• Rumor Has It...
• Seinfeld: Seasons 1-9
• Serendipity
• Spy Kids
• Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
• Spy Kids 3: Game Over
• Step Brothers
• The Ugly Truth
• Till Death
• Titanic
• Tommy Boy
• Unthinkable
• Waterworld
• Zodiac

October 3

• Scissor Seven: Season 3 -- NETFLIX ANIME
• Upcoming Summer -- NETFLIX FILM

October 4

• On My Block: Season 4 -- NETFLIX SERIES

October 5

• Escape The Undertaker -- NETFLIX FILM

October 6

• Bad Sport -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Baking Impossible -- NETFLIX SERIES
• The Blacklist: Season 8
• Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things
• The Five Juanas -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Love Is Blind: Brazil -- NETFLIX SERIES (new episodes weekly)
• There's Someone Inside Your House -- NETFLIX FILM

October 7

• The Billion Dollar Code -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Sexy Beasts: Season 2 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• ​​The Way of the Househusband: Season 1 Part 2 -- NETFLIX ANIME

October 8

• A Tale Dark & Grimm -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Family Business: Season 3 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Grudge / Kin -- NETFLIX FILM
• ​​LOL Surprise: The Movie
• My Brother, My Sister -- NETFLIX FILM
• Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Pretty Smart -- NETFLIX SERIES

October 9

• Blue Period -- NETFLIX ANIME
• Insidious: Chapter 2

October 11

• The Baby-Sitters Club: Season 2 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Going in Style
• The King's Affection -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Shameless (U.S.): Season 11

October 12

• Bright: Samurai Soul -- NETFLIX ANIME
• Convergence: Courage in a Crisis -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Making Malinche: A Documentary by Nacho Cano -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Mighty Express: Season 5 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• The Movies That Made Us: Season 3 -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It
• Smart People

October 13

• Fever Dream / Distancia de Rescate -- NETFLIX FILM
• Hiacynt -- NETFLIX FILM
• Love Is Blind: Brazil -- NETFLIX SERIES (new episodes weekly)
• Reflection of You -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Violet Evergarden the Movie

October 14

• Another Life: Season 2 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• ​​In the Dark: Season 3
• One Night in Paris -- NETFLIX FILM

October 15

• CoComelon: Season 4
• The Forgotten Battle -- NETFLIX FILM
• The Four of Us -- NETFLIX FILM
• Karma's World -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Little Things: Season 4 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• My Name -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Power Rangers Dino Fury: Season 1
• Sharkdog's Fintastic Halloween -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• The Trip -- NETFLIX FILM
• You: Season 3 -- NETFLIX SERIES

October 16

• Misfit: The Series -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• ​​Victoria & Abdul

October 19

• In for a Murder / W jak morderstwo -- NETFLIX FILM

October 20

• Found -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Gabby's Dollhouse: Season 3 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Love Is Blind: Brazil -- NETFLIX SERIES (new episodes weekly)
• Night Teeth -- NETFLIX FILM
• Stuck Together -- NETFLIX FILM

October 21

• Flip a Coin -ONE OK ROCK Documentary -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Go! Go! Cory Carson: Season 6 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• Insiders -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Komi Can't Communicate -- NETFLIX ANIME
• Life's a Glitch with Julien Bam -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Sex, Love & goop -- NETFLIX SERIES

October 22

• Adventure Beast -- NETFLIX SERIES
• ​​Dynasty: Season 4
• Inside Job -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Little Big Mouth -- NETFLIX FILM
• Locke & Key: Season 2 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Maya and the Three -- NETFLIX FAMILY
• More than Blue: The Series -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Roaring Twenties -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

October 24

• We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks

October 25

• King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

October 26

• Roswell, New Mexico: Season 3
• Sex: Unzipped -- NETFLIX SERIES

October 27

• Begin Again
• Hypnotic -- NETFLIX FILM
• Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight Part 2 -- NETFLIX FILM
• Sintonia: Season 2 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Wentworth: Season 8

October 28

• Luis Miguel - The Series: Season 3 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• The Motive -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

October 29

• Army of Thieves -- NETFLIX FILM
• Colin in Black & White -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Dear Mother -- NETFLIX FILM
• Mythomaniac: Season 2 -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Roaring Twenties -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY (new episodes)
• Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go
• The Time It Takes -- NETFLIX SERIES

Coming Soon

• A World Without -- NETFLIX FILM
• An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Call My Agent: Bollywood -- NETFLIX SERIES
• Encounters: Season 1
• House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
• Inspector Koo -- NETFLIX SERIES
• The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

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.

Macus Lehto, co-creator of Halo, has given fans a look at what the original Halo: Combat Evolved might have looked like if it had come out in 2021. The image, which was made using 3DS Max and Unreal Engine 4, features Master Chief, the Warthog, weapons, and the iconic Halo ring itself.

Imagining what Arriving on Halo might look like today.

I've had so much fun rebuilding the original Warthog, Mark V, and MA5B Assault Rifle after 20 years.

This universe will always be a part of me.#Halo #MasterChief #Warthog pic.twitter.com/6E9woPdVko

— Marcus Lehto (@game_fabricator) September 29, 2021

Lehto also showed off a shot of Chief from the back, showing that he included the easter egg of his initials on the bottom of Chief's right foot.

In case anyone questioned my attention to detail, I didn't forget the Easter egg. ;) pic.twitter.com/BrZhEG44VL

— Marcus Lehto (@game_fabricator) September 29, 2021

Lehto was a longtime art director with Bungie, who developed the original Halo trilogy, as well as Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach. Lehto was the director on Halo Reach. He later formed V1 Interactive, which released FPS title Disintegration in 2020. Earlier this year, the studio shut down.

Recently, Lehto also took to Twitter to show off unused weapon assets from the original Halo, including a microwave gun, a particle beam rifle, and more.

It's a big year for Halo fans. We're less than three months out from the launch of Halo Infinite, the next entry in the series from 343. For more, check out our Halo Infinite multiplayer impressions from this past weekend's test flight. You can also watch our in-depth interview with Lehto, where he talks all things Halo.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Macus Lehto, co-creator of Halo, has given fans a look at what the original Halo: Combat Evolved might have looked like if it had come out in 2021. The image, which was made using 3DS Max and Unreal Engine 4, features Master Chief, the Warthog, weapons, and the iconic Halo ring itself.

Imagining what Arriving on Halo might look like today.

I've had so much fun rebuilding the original Warthog, Mark V, and MA5B Assault Rifle after 20 years.

This universe will always be a part of me.#Halo #MasterChief #Warthog pic.twitter.com/6E9woPdVko

— Marcus Lehto (@game_fabricator) September 29, 2021

Lehto also showed off a shot of Chief from the back, showing that he included the easter egg of his initials on the bottom of Chief's right foot.

In case anyone questioned my attention to detail, I didn't forget the Easter egg. ;) pic.twitter.com/BrZhEG44VL

— Marcus Lehto (@game_fabricator) September 29, 2021

Lehto was a longtime art director with Bungie, who developed the original Halo trilogy, as well as Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach. Lehto was the director on Halo Reach. He later formed V1 Interactive, which released FPS title Disintegration in 2020. Earlier this year, the studio shut down.

Recently, Lehto also took to Twitter to show off unused weapon assets from the original Halo, including a microwave gun, a particle beam rifle, and more.

It's a big year for Halo fans. We're less than three months out from the launch of Halo Infinite, the next entry in the series from 343. For more, check out our Halo Infinite multiplayer impressions from this past weekend's test flight. You can also watch our in-depth interview with Lehto, where he talks all things Halo.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Update: Amazon sent a statement to IGN after the publication of this article, noting that the characterizations of Asto's performance in the recent report were "simply inaccurate."

Amazon's full statement follows:

These characterizations of Astro’s performance, mast, and safety systems are simply inaccurate. Astro went through rigorous testing on both quality and safety, including tens of thousands of hours of testing with beta participants. This includes comprehensive testing on Astro’s advanced safety system, which is designed to avoid objects, detect stairs, and stop the device where and when necessary.

The original story continues below.

Amazon's newly announced home robot Astro, might not be ready to roam around households, a new report claims.

Originally reported by Vice, one source who worked on Astro reportedly called the smart robot a "disaster that's not ready for release." Another developer is alleged to have said Astro is "terrible," noting that the robot is not reliable for accessibility purposes as Astro will "almost certainly throw itself down a flight of stairs." Amazon notes on Astro's store listing that Astro has intelligent motion, meaning it should be able to move around objects with no issue; this includes avoiding going up or down the stairs, which the company also notes it cannot do either.

The report also notes that leaked documents and videos of developers' meetings obtained by the outlet show that Astro did a lot of surveillance with a reliance on facial recognition systems; this includes a feature where Astro will follow unrecognized people around. When a user obtains Astro, there's an optional feature that allows you to "enroll" your face and voice of everyone in the home so the robot can learn who lives in the house.

Yet, sources that spoke to Vice note that Astro is unfortunately not great at detecting people. This scenario could cause a potential headache for residents in the home that Astro is constantly bugging in the form of following them around or bumping into their ankles.

Although the article raises a lot of questions about the overall quality of Astro, preordering the robot is currently not available publicly. You can submit an application expressing interest in the chance to buy the robot for $999.99. After the device becomes more widely available to purchase, it will retail for $1,499.99. When you are filling out an application, Amazon asks you a series of questions that give a better idea of your home, which may determine your chances of getting a "Day 1 Edition" of Astro. In either case, the possibility of spending over $1,000 on a robot that may break does not seem ideal.

Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Update: Amazon sent a statement to IGN after the publication of this article, noting that the characterizations of Asto's performance in the recent report were "simply inaccurate."

Amazon's full statement follows:

These characterizations of Astro’s performance, mast, and safety systems are simply inaccurate. Astro went through rigorous testing on both quality and safety, including tens of thousands of hours of testing with beta participants. This includes comprehensive testing on Astro’s advanced safety system, which is designed to avoid objects, detect stairs, and stop the device where and when necessary.

The original story continues below.

Amazon's newly announced home robot Astro, might not be ready to roam around households, a new report claims.

Originally reported by Vice, one source who worked on Astro reportedly called the smart robot a "disaster that's not ready for release." Another developer is alleged to have said Astro is "terrible," noting that the robot is not reliable for accessibility purposes as Astro will "almost certainly throw itself down a flight of stairs." Amazon notes on Astro's store listing that Astro has intelligent motion, meaning it should be able to move around objects with no issue; this includes avoiding going up or down the stairs, which the company also notes it cannot do either.

The report also notes that leaked documents and videos of developers' meetings obtained by the outlet show that Astro did a lot of surveillance with a reliance on facial recognition systems; this includes a feature where Astro will follow unrecognized people around. When a user obtains Astro, there's an optional feature that allows you to "enroll" your face and voice of everyone in the home so the robot can learn who lives in the house.

Yet, sources that spoke to Vice note that Astro is unfortunately not great at detecting people. This scenario could cause a potential headache for residents in the home that Astro is constantly bugging in the form of following them around or bumping into their ankles.

Although the article raises a lot of questions about the overall quality of Astro, preordering the robot is currently not available publicly. You can submit an application expressing interest in the chance to buy the robot for $999.99. After the device becomes more widely available to purchase, it will retail for $1,499.99. When you are filling out an application, Amazon asks you a series of questions that give a better idea of your home, which may determine your chances of getting a "Day 1 Edition" of Astro. In either case, the possibility of spending over $1,000 on a robot that may break does not seem ideal.

Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

Windows will soon let you download the Epic Games Store as an app as it announces a significant update that will allow third-party apps to be discoverable on the Microsoft Store. As detailed as part of a wider blog post, the Windows team says that both Amazon and Epic Games will be bringing their apps to the Microsoft Store and that it is looking forward to welcoming further stores in the future.

In a similar fashion to apps on the store, third-party storefronts will have a product detail page that allows their customers to check out user reviews and notable information about an app before installing it. Windows has said that the decision to bring in third-party storefront apps shows its "commitment to being an open store for an open platform".

While the arrival of Windows 11 on October 5 will bring with the public launch of a new Microsoft Store, third-party storefront apps won't be rolling out immediately. Despite the fact that Epic Games and Amazon will act as the first companies to bring their storefront apps over to the Microsoft store, this will take place over the next few months.

As for the free Windows 11 upgrade, Microsoft has confirmed that the new version of the operating system will be phased in gradually. The company previously said that new eligible devices will be offered the upgrade first, with support for other models rolling out thereafter. Although this may mean that many people won't be able to access Windows 11 until the beginning of next year at the earliest, all eligible devices are expected to be offered the upgrade by mid-2022. For those unsure about upgrading to Windows 11, don't panic, for Windows 10 is expected to still be supported until October 2025.

For more on Windows 11, make sure to check out this article detailing a range of new features that will be coming with the update including Windows widgets, auto HDR gaming, and a new and improved experience for tablet users. Alternatively, for those looking to check out the system requirements needed to run Windows 11, you can do so here.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Windows will soon let you download the Epic Games Store as an app as it announces a significant update that will allow third-party apps to be discoverable on the Microsoft Store. As detailed as part of a wider blog post, the Windows team says that both Amazon and Epic Games will be bringing their apps to the Microsoft Store and that it is looking forward to welcoming further stores in the future.

In a similar fashion to apps on the store, third-party storefronts will have a product detail page that allows their customers to check out user reviews and notable information about an app before installing it. Windows has said that the decision to bring in third-party storefront apps shows its "commitment to being an open store for an open platform".

While the arrival of Windows 11 on October 5 will bring with the public launch of a new Microsoft Store, third-party storefront apps won't be rolling out immediately. Despite the fact that Epic Games and Amazon will act as the first companies to bring their storefront apps over to the Microsoft store, this will take place over the next few months.

As for the free Windows 11 upgrade, Microsoft has confirmed that the new version of the operating system will be phased in gradually. The company previously said that new eligible devices will be offered the upgrade first, with support for other models rolling out thereafter. Although this may mean that many people won't be able to access Windows 11 until the beginning of next year at the earliest, all eligible devices are expected to be offered the upgrade by mid-2022. For those unsure about upgrading to Windows 11, don't panic, for Windows 10 is expected to still be supported until October 2025.

For more on Windows 11, make sure to check out this article detailing a range of new features that will be coming with the update including Windows widgets, auto HDR gaming, and a new and improved experience for tablet users. Alternatively, for those looking to check out the system requirements needed to run Windows 11, you can do so here.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.