Yearly Archives: 2020

Netflix Officially Announces Tiger King Aftershow With Joel McHale

UPDATE, April 9: Netflix has officially announced the follow-up to their hit true crime series Tiger: The Tiger King and I, an after-show set to air April 12. Netflix tweeted the official announcement featuring a video greeting from the after-show's host Joel McHale. The Tiger King and I will feature "brand new interviews with John Reinke, Joshua Dial, John Finlay, Saff, Erik Cowie, Rick Kirkman, and Jeff and Lauren Lowe." Our original report from April 5 follows. [poilib element="accentDivider"] With most everyone now basking in, or currently binging, the oddball glory that is Netflix's Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, series star Jeff Lowe (with wife Lauren Dropla) dropped a message online that should excite the ever-increasing Joe Exotic fandom. In the video, Lowe says that Netflix is adding a new episode, currently filming now, that will arrive on the site next week. Check it out... Make sure to check out IGN's review of Tiger King, which calls the series a "fascinating and depressing look inside a community of big cat fanatics." Tiger King is currently having a huge "lightning in a bottle" moment as people self-isolate and look for buzz-worthy things to watch. Actor Jared Leto even held a viewing party for the show, while many other celebrities -- including Edward Norton, Kate McKinnon, and Dax Shepard -- have asked to be cast in the upcoming scripted series based on Joe Exotic. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/01/tiger-king-whos-the-worst"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

GameStop Closes All Massachusetts Stores, Including Curbside Pick-Up

GameStop has closed all of its stores in Massachusetts, including any curbside service, according to The Boston Globe. The closure also comes after a report that GameStop leadership instructed employees to wrap their hands in plastic or wear gloves while handing off orders to customers.

The state of Massachusetts ordered all nonessential businesses to close on March 24. GameStop pushed back against the closure order by saying it provided an essential service, a statement that appeared to apply to GameStop stores across the U.S.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/07/how-gamestop-plans-to-save-itself"]

After keeping stores operational despite the state government’s order, the inspectional services department for the City of Boston ordered GameStop’s Dorchester location to close. The Boston Globe reports that no fine was issued to GameStop, but a nuisance order was issued, and the inspector followed up by visiting the store location on Wednesday to ensure the store had actually closed.

GameStop confirmed to Boston Globe it had closed all Massachusetts stores on Thursday.

It's unclear If GameStop has fully shut down stores in other states, except for California, where GameStop eventually relented and followed the governor's shutdown order. IGN has reached out to GameStop for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=gamestop-in-the-news-timeline&captions=true"]

Facing increasing pressure and criticism last month, GameStop finally relented and closed the physical storefronts of all U.S. locations on March 23, announcing the decision in a press release. Despite the announcement, many stores continued to offer curbside pickup for customer orders. According to Boston Globe, this included employees being instructed to either wear gloves or wrap their hands in plastic shopping bags while handing orders to customers through the crack in a door.

According to Boston Globe, In a company email, GameStop employees were specifically instructed to “lightly (you want to be able to get it off easily) tape a Game Stop plastic bag over your hand and arm. Do not open the door all the way — keep the glass between you and the guest’s face — just reach out your arm.”

GameStop still has some pretty lofty plans to save itself as a company, but like a lot of businesses throughout America, it’s coming under increasing strain to remain afloat. GameStop is set to permanently close 300 stores this year after more financial struggles. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer for IGN.

GameStop Closes All Massachusetts Stores, Including Curbside Pick-Up

GameStop has closed all of its stores in Massachusetts, including any curbside service, according to The Boston Globe. The closure also comes after a report that GameStop leadership instructed employees to wrap their hands in plastic or wear gloves while handing off orders to customers.

The state of Massachusetts ordered all nonessential businesses to close on March 24. GameStop pushed back against the closure order by saying it provided an essential service, a statement that appeared to apply to GameStop stores across the U.S.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/07/how-gamestop-plans-to-save-itself"]

After keeping stores operational despite the state government’s order, the inspectional services department for the City of Boston ordered GameStop’s Dorchester location to close. The Boston Globe reports that no fine was issued to GameStop, but a nuisance order was issued, and the inspector followed up by visiting the store location on Wednesday to ensure the store had actually closed.

GameStop confirmed to Boston Globe it had closed all Massachusetts stores on Thursday.

It's unclear If GameStop has fully shut down stores in other states, except for California, where GameStop eventually relented and followed the governor's shutdown order. IGN has reached out to GameStop for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=gamestop-in-the-news-timeline&captions=true"]

Facing increasing pressure and criticism last month, GameStop finally relented and closed the physical storefronts of all U.S. locations on March 23, announcing the decision in a press release. Despite the announcement, many stores continued to offer curbside pickup for customer orders. According to Boston Globe, this included employees being instructed to either wear gloves or wrap their hands in plastic shopping bags while handing orders to customers through the crack in a door.

According to Boston Globe, In a company email, GameStop employees were specifically instructed to “lightly (you want to be able to get it off easily) tape a Game Stop plastic bag over your hand and arm. Do not open the door all the way — keep the glass between you and the guest’s face — just reach out your arm.”

GameStop still has some pretty lofty plans to save itself as a company, but like a lot of businesses throughout America, it’s coming under increasing strain to remain afloat. GameStop is set to permanently close 300 stores this year after more financial struggles. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer for IGN.

TNT Will Premiere the Snowpiercer Series Earlier

With just about every movie and TV show being delayed, and production on future projects being halted, here's news of a series actually debuting earlier than originally scheduled. TNT has bumped up its Snowpiercer series. Previously slated to premiere on Sunday, May 31, Snowpiercer -- which is based on French graphic novel Le Transperceneige (that spawned the 2013 Bong Joon-ho film adaptation) -- will now arrive two weeks sooner, on Sunday, May 17. The story involves a future world that has become a frozen wasteland. The remnants of humanity -- who struggle with class warfare, social injustice and politics -- inhabit a perpetually moving train, with 1001 cars, that circles the globe. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/07/21/snowpiercer-season-1-trailer-comic-con-2019"] “Snowpiercer is one of the most anticipated original series of 2020 and in this climate, viewers are craving thrilling, engaging, edge-of-your-seat content that speaks to them on a deeper level,” said Brett Weitz, general manager for TNT, TBS and truTV. “It is extremely important that we continue with our promise to meet audiences where they are, and to that effect, we are moving up Snowpiercer’s premiere so that fans can enjoy this futuristic series even earlier.” Snowpiercer, which has already been renewed for a second season, stars Tony-winner Daveed Diggs, Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly, Emmy-nominee Alison Wright, Mickey Sumner, and Tony Award-winner and Grammy-nominee Lena Hall. For more Snowpiercer, check out these posters drawn by popular artists, and a sneak-peek clip that we saw at New York Comic Con back in 2019. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-sci-fi-movies&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

TNT Will Premiere the Snowpiercer Series Earlier

With just about every movie and TV show being delayed, and production on future projects being halted, here's news of a series actually debuting earlier than originally scheduled. TNT has bumped up its Snowpiercer series. Previously slated to premiere on Sunday, May 31, Snowpiercer -- which is based on French graphic novel Le Transperceneige (that spawned the 2013 Bong Joon-ho film adaptation) -- will now arrive two weeks sooner, on Sunday, May 17. The story involves a future world that has become a frozen wasteland. The remnants of humanity -- who struggle with class warfare, social injustice and politics -- inhabit a perpetually moving train, with 1001 cars, that circles the globe. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/07/21/snowpiercer-season-1-trailer-comic-con-2019"] “Snowpiercer is one of the most anticipated original series of 2020 and in this climate, viewers are craving thrilling, engaging, edge-of-your-seat content that speaks to them on a deeper level,” said Brett Weitz, general manager for TNT, TBS and truTV. “It is extremely important that we continue with our promise to meet audiences where they are, and to that effect, we are moving up Snowpiercer’s premiere so that fans can enjoy this futuristic series even earlier.” Snowpiercer, which has already been renewed for a second season, stars Tony-winner Daveed Diggs, Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly, Emmy-nominee Alison Wright, Mickey Sumner, and Tony Award-winner and Grammy-nominee Lena Hall. For more Snowpiercer, check out these posters drawn by popular artists, and a sneak-peek clip that we saw at New York Comic Con back in 2019. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-sci-fi-movies&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

ESA Reportedly Announces Dates for ‘Reimagined’ E3 in 2021

The Entertainment Software Association has formally announced dates for a “reimagined” E3 in 2021, following the cancellation of E3 2020, and IGN's own announcement of its Summer of Gaming event. E3 2021 will be held from June 15 to June 17, 2021.

According to GamesIndustry.biz, the ESA sent out the news to industry partners late Friday.

E3 2020 was officially cancelled on March 11 due to concerns over the COVID-19/coronavirus and the ensuing shelter-in-place orders that various state governments have issued, including Los Angeles, California, where E3 is held each year.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/03/ign-announces-summer-of-gaming-showcase-for-june"]

The ESA has previously stated it is considering the possibility of an online event, although it has not provided any further details as of early April.

If by some chance you missed the news, IGN has announced its own “Summer of Gaming” event, which will take place this June. Summer of Gaming will feature developers and news from studios like 2K, Square Enix, SEGA, Bandai Namco, Amazon, Google Stadia, Twitter, Devolver Digital, THQ Nordic, and more. Check out the link above for more details, and keep an eye on IGN for when we announce more details.

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a reimagined writer/producer for IGN.

ESA Reportedly Announces Dates for ‘Reimagined’ E3 in 2021

The Entertainment Software Association has formally announced dates for a “reimagined” E3 in 2021, following the cancellation of E3 2020, and IGN's own announcement of its Summer of Gaming event. E3 2021 will be held from June 15 to June 17, 2021.

According to GamesIndustry.biz, the ESA sent out the news to industry partners late Friday.

E3 2020 was officially cancelled on March 11 due to concerns over the COVID-19/coronavirus and the ensuing shelter-in-place orders that various state governments have issued, including Los Angeles, California, where E3 is held each year.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/03/ign-announces-summer-of-gaming-showcase-for-june"]

The ESA has previously stated it is considering the possibility of an online event, although it has not provided any further details as of early April.

If by some chance you missed the news, IGN has announced its own “Summer of Gaming” event, which will take place this June. Summer of Gaming will feature developers and news from studios like 2K, Square Enix, SEGA, Bandai Namco, Amazon, Google Stadia, Twitter, Devolver Digital, THQ Nordic, and more. Check out the link above for more details, and keep an eye on IGN for when we announce more details.

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a reimagined writer/producer for IGN.

The Office Producers Creating New Comedy Based on Work-From-Home Virtual Meetings

As more and more people's homes becomes their "workplace," The Office executive producers Ben Silverman and Paul Lieberstein are currently lining up a new workplace comedy based on working-from-home conditions amidst the current COVID-19 crisis. “So many of us are jumping on daily Zoom meetings — for work and beyond,” Silverman told Deadline. “We are in a new normal and are personally navigating ways to remain connected and productive at work and in our home lives." "With the brilliant Paul Lieberstein (who played Toby on The Office) at the helm, we think we have a series that not only brings humor and comfort during this troubling time but will also be an inventive and enduring workplace comedy for years to come.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/25/the-office-surprising-reason-behind-steve-carells-exit-revealed-ign-now"] The series is reportedly about "a wunderkind boss who, in an effort to ensure his staff’s connectedness and productivity, asks them all to virtually interact and work face-to-face all day." "Start with the office comedy, lose the office and you’re just left with comedy. The math works,” according to Lieberstein. Speaking of virtual meetings, The Office's John Krasinski and Steve Carell just held a mini-Office reunion on the first episode of Krasinski's new YouTube series, Some Good News. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=everything-coming-to-nbcuniversals-peacock&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

The Office Producers Creating New Comedy Based on Work-From-Home Virtual Meetings

As more and more people's homes becomes their "workplace," The Office executive producers Ben Silverman and Paul Lieberstein are currently lining up a new workplace comedy based on working-from-home conditions amidst the current COVID-19 crisis. “So many of us are jumping on daily Zoom meetings — for work and beyond,” Silverman told Deadline. “We are in a new normal and are personally navigating ways to remain connected and productive at work and in our home lives." "With the brilliant Paul Lieberstein (who played Toby on The Office) at the helm, we think we have a series that not only brings humor and comfort during this troubling time but will also be an inventive and enduring workplace comedy for years to come.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/25/the-office-surprising-reason-behind-steve-carells-exit-revealed-ign-now"] The series is reportedly about "a wunderkind boss who, in an effort to ensure his staff’s connectedness and productivity, asks them all to virtually interact and work face-to-face all day." "Start with the office comedy, lose the office and you’re just left with comedy. The math works,” according to Lieberstein. Speaking of virtual meetings, The Office's John Krasinski and Steve Carell just held a mini-Office reunion on the first episode of Krasinski's new YouTube series, Some Good News. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=everything-coming-to-nbcuniversals-peacock&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

Vince McMahon Considered Holding WrestleMania 36 in an Empty Stadium

Before the decision was made to not only made to keep WrestleMania around this year, amidst the COVID-19 landscape, but also change venues to the emptied-out WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Chairman Vince McMahon reportedly was still thinking about using the original location, Tampa's massive Raymond James Stadium. According to Sports Illustrated, "staying at Raymond James was at one point a consideration," though naturally the show would have been held with 70 to 80 thousand empty seats. For "for reasons outside of [Vince's] control," the course was altered and everything, including WWE's regular weekly TV tapings, were shifted to the Performance Center. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/02/the-10-best-wrestling-games-of-all-time"] WrestleMania 36 will be the strangest WWE PPV in history, as not only has the roster lineup changed due to the pandemic, but the show itself has now been pre-taped and spread out over two nights. With 16 matches split up into two parts -- April 4 and April 5 -- the main marquee matches are reportedly being divvied up as follows: Part 1, April 4
  • Braun Strowman) vs. Bill Goldberg
  • Shayna Baszler vs. Becky Lynch
  • John Cena vs. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt - Firefly Funhouse Match
  • Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins
Part 2, April 5
  • Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar
  • Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley
  • Edge vs. Randy Orton - Last Man Standing Match
  • The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles - Boneyard Match
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-wwe-game-review-ever&captions=true"] Will you be watching WrestleMania 36? Both nights? If so, what match are you looking forward to the most? IGN will have a live-blog running for the event on both nights, so make sure you check the homepage for all the WrestleMania match results and reactions in real-time. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.