With a global shortage of surgical masks due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, gaming hardware company Razer has begun manufacturing masks to donate to hospitals in need globally. Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan announced last night on Twitter that "[Razer] intend[s] to donate up to 1M masks to health authorities of different countries." While Razer is known primarily for its keyboards, mice, and other computer peripherals, this is quite a departure from illuminated gaming gear. Tan firmly believes that "all of us have a part to play in fighting the virus – no matter which industry we come from."

We intend to donate up to 1M masks to the health authorities of different countries globally. For starters, we’ve been in touch with the authorities in Singapore (where the @Razer SEA HQ is based) to donate some of the initial shipments to assist their fight against COVID-19.

— Min-Liang Tan (@minliangtan) March 19, 2020

Razer has been working tirelessly over the past couple of days, including 24-hour shifts, to convert its existing manufacturing lines in order to produce the surgical masks. Tan also mentioned he and his team have been in touch with authorities in Singapore (where Razer's HQ is located) to donate some of its initial shipments. The remainder of Razer's global offices will be reaching out to other governments and health authorities to prioritize its support going forward. It's important to stay safe during this global pandemic. We've put together a page to help answer any questions you may have around safety, and how you can help contribute to fighting the virus. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matthew Adler is a News and Features writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter or watch him stream on Twitch.

You may remember The Messenger, the 2018 ninja 'em up that sliced between 8- and 16-bit art styles. Developer Sabotage has announced a prequel game that pivots to an entirely different genre: the classic turn-based RPG. Watch the debut trailer above. Sea of Stars is set hundreds of thousands of years before The Messenger and follows two playable main characters as they train to defeat the villainous Fleshmancer. Sabotage says it is "inspired by the classics," and at a glance it definitely gives off Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana vibes. The turn-based combat features timed hits and active defense options, reminiscent of the systems in Super Mario RPG and the Mario & Luigi games. [caption id="attachment_232217" align="alignnone" width="720"] The combat system is reminiscent of Super Mario RPG.[/caption] Sabotage's mission is to make games with retro aesthetics but modern design, and to that end you'll notice some features right away that would not have been possible in the '90s games from which it draws inspiration. A dynamic lighting system renders a day-to-night cycle that creates realistic shadows you don't normally see in 2D pixel-art games. Players have much more freedom to explore the environment, and are able to swim across bodies of water, climb cliffs, or vault off ledges. Sea of Stars is still early in development and isn't planned for release until 2022 on PC and (presumably next-gen) consoles. A Kickstarter was just launched today where you can learn more.

You may remember The Messenger, the 2018 ninja 'em up that sliced between 8- and 16-bit art styles. Developer Sabotage has announced a prequel game that pivots to an entirely different genre: the classic turn-based RPG. Watch the debut trailer above. Sea of Stars is set hundreds of thousands of years before The Messenger and follows two playable main characters as they train to defeat the villainous Fleshmancer. Sabotage says it is "inspired by the classics," and at a glance it definitely gives off Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana vibes. The turn-based combat features timed hits and active defense options, reminiscent of the systems in Super Mario RPG and the Mario & Luigi games. [caption id="attachment_232217" align="alignnone" width="720"] The combat system is reminiscent of Super Mario RPG.[/caption] Sabotage's mission is to make games with retro aesthetics but modern design, and to that end you'll notice some features right away that would not have been possible in the '90s games from which it draws inspiration. A dynamic lighting system renders a day-to-night cycle that creates realistic shadows you don't normally see in 2D pixel-art games. Players have much more freedom to explore the environment, and are able to swim across bodies of water, climb cliffs, or vault off ledges. Sea of Stars is still early in development and isn't planned for release until 2022 on PC and (presumably next-gen) consoles. A Kickstarter was just launched today where you can learn more.

Filming of the Friends Reunion Special for HBO Max has been postponed for at least two months amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer were all set to return to the original soundstage, where the show started out about 25 years ago, to film the unscripted special on March 23 and March 24, but production has now been pushed back until at least May. A source told EW that the cast reunion remained on target to debut on HBO Max at launch. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=everything-coming-to-hbo-max&captions=true"] The reunion special was officially given the green light in February of this year, just a few months after reports of its development had surfaced in November. In the formal announcement, Kevin Reilly, the chief content officer of HBO Max and president of TBS, TNT, and truTV, said: "Guess you could call this the one where they all got back together — we are reuniting with David, Jennifer, Courteney, Matt, Lisa, and Matthew for an HBO Max special that will be programmed alongside the entire Friends library. "I became aware of Friends when it was in the very early stages of development and then had the opportunity to work on the series many years later and have delighted in seeing it catch on with viewers generation after generation. It taps into an era when friends – and audiences – gathered together in real-time and we think this reunion special will capture that spirit, uniting original and new fans." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-delayed-movie-due-to-coronavirus-so-far&captions=true"] The Friends Reunion Special joins a growing list of movie and TV productions affected by COVID-19, including Amazon's Lord of the Rings TV series, which has suspended production for at least two weeks, Netflix's The Witcher Season 2, which has also paused filming for two weeks in London, and FX's Fargo Season 4, which has been put on hiatus, and as a result, the show's April 19 premiere date has also been pushed. As we continue to update you on the industry shifts and delays, remember to please take a look at our list of recommendations to help, and stay safe, during the Coronavirus pandemic. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Filming of the Friends Reunion Special for HBO Max has been postponed for at least two months amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer were all set to return to the original soundstage, where the show started out about 25 years ago, to film the unscripted special on March 23 and March 24, but production has now been pushed back until at least May. A source told EW that the cast reunion remained on target to debut on HBO Max at launch. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=everything-coming-to-hbo-max&captions=true"] The reunion special was officially given the green light in February of this year, just a few months after reports of its development had surfaced in November. In the formal announcement, Kevin Reilly, the chief content officer of HBO Max and president of TBS, TNT, and truTV, said: "Guess you could call this the one where they all got back together — we are reuniting with David, Jennifer, Courteney, Matt, Lisa, and Matthew for an HBO Max special that will be programmed alongside the entire Friends library. "I became aware of Friends when it was in the very early stages of development and then had the opportunity to work on the series many years later and have delighted in seeing it catch on with viewers generation after generation. It taps into an era when friends – and audiences – gathered together in real-time and we think this reunion special will capture that spirit, uniting original and new fans." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-delayed-movie-due-to-coronavirus-so-far&captions=true"] The Friends Reunion Special joins a growing list of movie and TV productions affected by COVID-19, including Amazon's Lord of the Rings TV series, which has suspended production for at least two weeks, Netflix's The Witcher Season 2, which has also paused filming for two weeks in London, and FX's Fargo Season 4, which has been put on hiatus, and as a result, the show's April 19 premiere date has also been pushed. As we continue to update you on the industry shifts and delays, remember to please take a look at our list of recommendations to help, and stay safe, during the Coronavirus pandemic. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai has said that development on the game's next DLC fighters may have to go on hold indefinitely while Japan and the rest of the world struggle with COVID-19. Sakurai explained in his latest Famitsu magazine column (translated by IGN Japan) that just one patient at developer Sora's office would prevent any work on new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/30/super-smash-bros-ultimate-byleth-dlc-review"] “If someone is found to be infected, the entire building will be closed down and development will be halted altogether,” he said. In light of this, Sakurai explained that there was little point in announcing who the next fighter is, as they may not be able to follow through with plans. “Even if we did theoretically announce a new fighter, it’s possible that development would not continue as planned,” he explained. “Novel Coronavirus has cast a long shadow on game production,” he added. “Various software may be delayed or cancelled, but there’s nothing we can do about it. If people aren’t at work, then of course nothing will proceed as planned.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=even-more-characters-we-want-in-super-smash-bros-ultimate-pt-1&captions=true"] Many studios around the world now have staff working from home, allowing development to proceed while also allowing the recommended social-distancing tactics of pandemic prevention to play out. It appears from Sakurai’s comments that staff on the Super Smash Bros. project may not be currently able to work at home, or at least that move would severely impede development. So far news of game delays have been minimal - Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Cyberpunk 2077 are still on track to hit their intended release dates - but the events side of gaming has been severely impacted, including the cancellation of E3 2020 and the potential cancellation of Gamescom. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai has said that development on the game's next DLC fighters may have to go on hold indefinitely while Japan and the rest of the world struggle with COVID-19. Sakurai explained in his latest Famitsu magazine column (translated by IGN Japan) that just one patient at developer Sora's office would prevent any work on new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/30/super-smash-bros-ultimate-byleth-dlc-review"] “If someone is found to be infected, the entire building will be closed down and development will be halted altogether,” he said. In light of this, Sakurai explained that there was little point in announcing who the next fighter is, as they may not be able to follow through with plans. “Even if we did theoretically announce a new fighter, it’s possible that development would not continue as planned,” he explained. “Novel Coronavirus has cast a long shadow on game production,” he added. “Various software may be delayed or cancelled, but there’s nothing we can do about it. If people aren’t at work, then of course nothing will proceed as planned.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=even-more-characters-we-want-in-super-smash-bros-ultimate-pt-1&captions=true"] Many studios around the world now have staff working from home, allowing development to proceed while also allowing the recommended social-distancing tactics of pandemic prevention to play out. It appears from Sakurai’s comments that staff on the Super Smash Bros. project may not be currently able to work at home, or at least that move would severely impede development. So far news of game delays have been minimal - Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Cyberpunk 2077 are still on track to hit their intended release dates - but the events side of gaming has been severely impacted, including the cancellation of E3 2020 and the potential cancellation of Gamescom. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

A new Pokemon Sword and Shield event will allow players to catch some Pokemon that are exclusive to the version they do not own. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/09/pokemon-sword-and-pokemon-shield-galarian-ponyta-trailer"] As reported by Serebii.net, a selection of version-exclusive Pokemon will be available through Max Raid Battles in the Wild Area. Pokemon Shield owners will finally be able to get their hands on Farfetch’d without trading, while Pokemon Sword players can catch a Ponyta in the wild. The special event doesn’t appear to be making every version exclusive Pokemon available - it appears that you won’t be able to get the Legendaries - but logging on between March 19 - March 26 will certainly make it possible to fill several gaps in your Pokedex. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-new-and-returning-pokemon-announced-for-the-sword-and-shield-expansion-pass&captions=true"] This is a rare move for Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, as version-exclusive Pokemon typically stay that way in order to encourage players to trade with each other or even buy both versions of the game. To see the different monsters available for each game, check out our Pokemon Sword and Shield versions guide. We've also got a guide to all the event Pokemon added to the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter.

A new Pokemon Sword and Shield event will allow players to catch some Pokemon that are exclusive to the version they do not own. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/09/pokemon-sword-and-pokemon-shield-galarian-ponyta-trailer"] As reported by Serebii.net, a selection of version-exclusive Pokemon will be available through Max Raid Battles in the Wild Area. Pokemon Shield owners will finally be able to get their hands on Farfetch’d without trading, while Pokemon Sword players can catch a Ponyta in the wild. The special event doesn’t appear to be making every version exclusive Pokemon available - it appears that you won’t be able to get the Legendaries - but logging on between March 19 - March 26 will certainly make it possible to fill several gaps in your Pokedex. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-new-and-returning-pokemon-announced-for-the-sword-and-shield-expansion-pass&captions=true"] This is a rare move for Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, as version-exclusive Pokemon typically stay that way in order to encourage players to trade with each other or even buy both versions of the game. To see the different monsters available for each game, check out our Pokemon Sword and Shield versions guide. We've also got a guide to all the event Pokemon added to the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter.

Evo 2020, this year’s event in the long-running fighting games tournament, is still planning to go ahead, despite the current COVID-19 pandemic concerns.

An important message from the Evo team... pic.twitter.com/jUuiQSIITz

— EVO (@EVO) March 18, 2020

The Evo team posted a statement on Twitter, explaining that while the event could still be postponed or cancelled if the coronavirus situation continues, plans are still moving forward with the idea that the event will go ahead July 31 - August 2. “At this time, Evo is moving forward with its plans to hold the event July 31-August 2, 2020 at Mandalay Bay (subject to its re-opening) but we are actively monitoring updates from the WHO, CDC, local governments, and public health agencies regarding COVID-19 and continuing to asses the situation,” says the announcement. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/05/marvel-vs-capcom-2-to-celebrate-20th-anniversary-at-evo-2020-ign-news"] The message comes with a promise that should Evo 2020 be forced to postpone or cancel, all ticket purchases will be refunded. If Evo 2020 is cancelled, it will be far from the first event impacted by COVID-19. E3 2020 has been officially cancelled, as have many more games events. Real-life fighting tournament WrestleMania 36 has also been made a non-public event, and many movies have been delayed. Similar to Evo, summer games expo Gamescom is still planning to go ahead, but will offer refunds if forced to cancel. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="legacyId=20103840&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter.