Yearly Archives: 2020
Crash Bandicoot 4 Has No Microtransactions, Devs Say
After a notice on the Microsoft Store indicated Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time would feature "in-app purchases," discussion began about whether that meant Crash 4 would include microtransactions at launch. According to developer Toys for Bob, there won't be, and it seems the culprit behind the "in-app purchase" moniker may be the free cosmetic skins that will be available as a preorder bonus.
Toys for Bob has confirmed Crash 4 will have "no microtransactions" in a new statement, saying:
"We're seeing confusion about #MTX in Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time and want to be [gem emoji] clear. There are NO MICROTRANSACTIONS in the game. As a bonus, the Totally Tubular skins are included in all digital versions of the game."[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/29/crash-bandicoot-4-new-gameplay-shows-new-tricks-returning-moves"] The "in-app purchases" moniker led many to assume there would be DLC, either cosmetic or gameplay-wise, that Activision could charge players for from day 1. According to the developers, however, there are no microtransactions at this time. While, of course, DLC could be added down the line or more cosmetics made available via in-game purchases — Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled did add microtransactions with the ability to buy Wumpa Coins with real-world money after its launch — the developers appear to want to assuage fans' concerns that Crash 4's launch will be held back by additional content that has to be purchased on top of the base game. For more on Crash Bandicoot 4, check out our latest deep dive on exclusive Crash 4 gameplay, all of the first Crash 4 gameplay and story details, and a look at every Crash Bandicoot IGN review below. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-crash-bandicoot-game-review&captions=true"] Crash Bandicoot 4 hits PS4 and Xbox One on October 2.
Retro Digital Timex x Pac-Man Watches Now Available
UPDATE 7/7/2020: The Timex T80 x PAC-MAN watches are now available to order from Timex' website.
In the age of smartphones and Apple Watch, a classic digital watch is retro without even trying. Timex has combined two great retro flavors together in a limited-edition run of its classic T80 line by combining it with the 1980s gaming goodness that is Pac-Man.
The Timex T80 x PACMAN line comes in three different styles, each with stainless steel watchbands and water resistance up to 50m. Originally introduced at ComplexCon in Long Beach, CA last November, the watches go back on sale July 7 in the US, with global distribution coming sometime in August.
Check out the gallery below to see this doubly-retro watch.
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The watch comes in three different colors: black, silver, and gold, and the face is decorated to celebrate 40 years of Pac-Man. There's a pixelated Pac-Man chasing a ghost monster embossed in the clasp of the stainless steel band. In addition to all the normal features you find in the Timex T80 watch, like stopwatch, Indiglo lighting, and an alarm, this special-edition watch plays the "iconic PAC-MAN melody" too.
You'll be able to order your own from Timex on July 7 for $79 in the US.
If you're curious: yes, I am setting a reminder on my phone so I can order one for myself. I just can't decide which color.
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Seth Macy is Executive Editor, IGN Commerce, and just wants to be your friend. Find him on Twitter @sethmacy.
Retro Digital Timex x Pac-Man Watches Now Available
UPDATE 7/7/2020: The Timex T80 x PAC-MAN watches are now available to order from Timex' website.
In the age of smartphones and Apple Watch, a classic digital watch is retro without even trying. Timex has combined two great retro flavors together in a limited-edition run of its classic T80 line by combining it with the 1980s gaming goodness that is Pac-Man.
The Timex T80 x PACMAN line comes in three different styles, each with stainless steel watchbands and water resistance up to 50m. Originally introduced at ComplexCon in Long Beach, CA last November, the watches go back on sale July 7 in the US, with global distribution coming sometime in August.
Check out the gallery below to see this doubly-retro watch.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=timex-t80-x-pacman-limited-edition-watch&captions=true"]
The watch comes in three different colors: black, silver, and gold, and the face is decorated to celebrate 40 years of Pac-Man. There's a pixelated Pac-Man chasing a ghost monster embossed in the clasp of the stainless steel band. In addition to all the normal features you find in the Timex T80 watch, like stopwatch, Indiglo lighting, and an alarm, this special-edition watch plays the "iconic PAC-MAN melody" too.
You'll be able to order your own from Timex on July 7 for $79 in the US.
If you're curious: yes, I am setting a reminder on my phone so I can order one for myself. I just can't decide which color.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Seth Macy is Executive Editor, IGN Commerce, and just wants to be your friend. Find him on Twitter @sethmacy.
RDO: Claim Triple RDO$ in Showdown Modes, Free Resupplies, and More
This week in Red Dead Online, claim free resupplies for Moonshiners and Traders, triple payouts in Showdown Modes (including Gun Rush), and more.
RDO: Claim Triple RDO$ in Showdown Modes, Free Resupplies, and More
This week in Red Dead Online, claim free resupplies for Moonshiners and Traders, triple payouts in Showdown Modes (including Gun Rush), and more.
Nintendo Formally Apologizes For Joy-Con Drift
Nintendo has made a formal apology for Joy-Con drift issues frequently experienced with the Nintendo Switch’s controllers, although is unable to provide further comment due to the problem being the subject of a current class-action lawsuit.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/11/joy-con-drift-is-still-a-huge-problem-3-years-later"]
The apology was made during Nintendo’s latest financial Q&A. “Regarding the Joy-Con, we apologize for any trouble caused to our customers,” said Shuntaro Furukawa, the company’s president, as reported by Kotaku. “We are continuing to aim to improve our products, but as the Joy-Con is the subject of a class-action lawsuit in the United States and this is still a pending issue, we would like to refrain from responding about any specific actions.”
Joy-Con drift has been an issue hounding Nintendo Switch users for three years and counting. Since the console launched many players have found that their analogue sticks ‘drift’, meaning movement can be seen on-screen even when you are not touching the sticks at all. Last year Nintendo began to offer Joy-Con repairs for free and refunded those who had paid in previous years, but regardless it is still a huge issue in 2020.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=a-history-of-nintendo-hardware-1977-to-now&captions=true"]
Last year US law firm Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith filed a class action lawsuit against Nintendo, stating that the Joy-Cons violate "various consumer protection statutes as well as various warranty and common law claims." It’s angled against not just the standard Joy-Cons, but the analogue sticks on the Switch Lite, too.
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Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.
Nintendo Formally Apologizes For Joy-Con Drift
Nintendo has made a formal apology for Joy-Con drift issues frequently experienced with the Nintendo Switch’s controllers, although is unable to provide further comment due to the problem being the subject of a current class-action lawsuit.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/11/joy-con-drift-is-still-a-huge-problem-3-years-later"]
The apology was made during Nintendo’s latest financial Q&A. “Regarding the Joy-Con, we apologize for any trouble caused to our customers,” said Shuntaro Furukawa, the company’s president, as reported by Kotaku. “We are continuing to aim to improve our products, but as the Joy-Con is the subject of a class-action lawsuit in the United States and this is still a pending issue, we would like to refrain from responding about any specific actions.”
Joy-Con drift has been an issue hounding Nintendo Switch users for three years and counting. Since the console launched many players have found that their analogue sticks ‘drift’, meaning movement can be seen on-screen even when you are not touching the sticks at all. Last year Nintendo began to offer Joy-Con repairs for free and refunded those who had paid in previous years, but regardless it is still a huge issue in 2020.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=a-history-of-nintendo-hardware-1977-to-now&captions=true"]
Last year US law firm Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith filed a class action lawsuit against Nintendo, stating that the Joy-Cons violate "various consumer protection statutes as well as various warranty and common law claims." It’s angled against not just the standard Joy-Cons, but the analogue sticks on the Switch Lite, too.
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Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.
Ozark Returning for Two-Part Fourth and Final Season
Netflix has announced that its Emmy Award-nominated family crime drama, Ozark, will return for a fourth and final season that will be split into two parts.
Season four of Ozark will be 14 episodes long, with each part consisting of 7 episodes. It’s a finale format previously used for big critical hits such as Breaking Bad and Mad Men.
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The final season will once again be executive produced by showrunner and writer Chris Mundy and star Jason Bateman. Laura Linney, Julia Garner, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner, Charlie Tahan, and Lisa Emery will all reprise their roles.
In our review of Ozark Season 3, we noted that it’s still one of TV’s best crime dramas, with Jason Bateman and Laura Linney offering consistently excellent performances. Hopefully this final season will give the Byrde family the send-off they deserve.
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Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.
Ozark Returning for Two-Part Fourth and Final Season
Netflix has announced that its Emmy Award-nominated family crime drama, Ozark, will return for a fourth and final season that will be split into two parts.
Season four of Ozark will be 14 episodes long, with each part consisting of 7 episodes. It’s a finale format previously used for big critical hits such as Breaking Bad and Mad Men.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ozark-season-3-photos&captions=true"]
The final season will once again be executive produced by showrunner and writer Chris Mundy and star Jason Bateman. Laura Linney, Julia Garner, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner, Charlie Tahan, and Lisa Emery will all reprise their roles.
In our review of Ozark Season 3, we noted that it’s still one of TV’s best crime dramas, with Jason Bateman and Laura Linney offering consistently excellent performances. Hopefully this final season will give the Byrde family the send-off they deserve.
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Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.
Hamilton: Behind-the-Scenes Documentary to Debut Alongside Film
A special documentary featuring the original cast of Hamilton will debut alongside the filmed version of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical phenomenon, arriving on the Disney+ streaming platform on July 3.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Hamilton In-Depth With Kelley Carter will reunite the Broadway show's creators and stars for a virtual roundtable discussion examining the origins and legacy of the groundbreaking production.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/22/hamilton-official-trailer"]
"The story and subject matter that Hamilton covers, and the creative vision of its architects and actors, are more timely than ever," said Jimmy Pitaro, President of ESPN and Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks. "The Undefeated, and Kelley L. Carter, are uniquely positioned to help connect audiences – whether they have never seen the show, or have seen it 10 times – to the creative process, people and significance of Hamilton as it debuts on Disney+."
The behind-the-scenes feature, produced by The Undefeated, ESPN+, and Disney+, will be hosted by Kelley L. Carter, an award-winning journalist who will explore a wide range of topics in conversation with Hamilton director Thomas Kail and the musical's stars, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr., Christopher Jackson, Phillipa Soo, and Renée Elise Goldsberry.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/24/hamilton-alexander-hamilton-official-clip"]
The talented team will come together to reveal some theater tidbits and insider secrets about their collaborative creative process, including details about the show's early stages of development right the way through to its sellout run on the stage, as well as the deeper significance of the story and its meaning in the context of ongoing conversations about systemic racism and social injustice.
"The cast of Hamilton didn't come to play," said Carter. "They are accomplished performers who created genre-shifting art, but they also understand this unprecedented time in history and why their voices matter. This special isn't just about one of the most important pieces of work to ever play on Broadway. This is about how art inspires activation. And, well, how activation inspires great art."
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Hamilton is a dramatization of the life of Founding Father and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, tracing his story from his arrival in New York City at the dawn of the Revolutionary War through to his ill-fated duel with rival Aaron Burr in 1804. The musical features a unique combination of hip-hop, R&B, soul, and show tunes to help examine Hamilton's story through a modern lens.
Hamilton In-Depth With Kelley Carter premieres on Disney+ and TheUndefeated.com on July 3, 2020, alongside the filmed recording of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical about Alexander Hamilton on Disney+, which has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).
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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.
