"I hope everyone didn't hate it and now we have to slink away and spend another 13 years trying to figure out what our next shot at the whole thing is."

BEYOND! On this week's episode of IGN's weekly PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Brian Altano, Lucy O'Brien, and Max Scoville to offer our thoughts on the Final Fantasy VII Remake demo, along with some of your impressions of the remake's opening. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/04/final-fantasy-7-remake-demo-what-we-loved-what-we-didnt-beyond-episode-633"] Plus, we dive into the postponement of GDC, the state of the industry's worries about COVID-19, celebrate the PS2's 20th anniversary, and more. Additionally, we announce our next monthly game to play along with us to look back at the PS4's exclusives library. This month's game is Infamous: Second Son. We'll be playing and then discussing at the end of the month, so be sure to dive back in to the campaign and open world, as we'll be including your thoughts in our retrospective episode. Have a question, comment, Memory Card story, or That One Thing submission? Write in to beyond@ign.com! [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=big-ps4-ps5-games-coming-in-2020&captions=true"] Download or listen to the show on these platforms:

• Direct Download

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Podcast Beyond! is live every Wednesday at 3 p.m. PT. For the latest on PS5, check out the new PS5 logo, how fans reacted to the PS5 logo, and check out images of the allegedly PS5 dev kit and controller, as well as a leak alleging the power of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Following the announcement that the city of Los Angeles is declaring a state of emergency over concerns about COVID-19, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has issued a new statement regarding E3 saying they are “monitoring and evaluating the situation daily.” The ESA says E3 is still planned to proceed in the full statement. “The health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, partners, and staff is our top priority. While the ESA continues to plan for a safe and successful E3 show June 9-11, 2020 — we are monitoring and evaluating the situation daily.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=all-the-big-games-coming-in-2020&captions=true"] “Our E3 team and partners continue to monitor COVID-19 via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We are actively assessing the latest information and will continue to develop measures to further reduce health risks at the show.” The new statement follows an update the ESA provided to IGN yesterday regarding E3 and how the organization is “moving ahead full speed with E3 2020 planning.” The city of San Francisco also issued a state of emergency for the city prior to the organizers announcing that the Game Developers Conference would be postponed. If the situation worsens, there’s a chance E3 may be affected over concerns of the novel coronavirus. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

The sequel to Hocus Pocus has reportedly locked down the director of Hairspray to helm the movie. Variety's sources say that Adam Shankman has signed on to direct. Variety also claims that the three original actresses have yet to sign up, but Sarah Jessica Parker previously said she, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy all want to do the film. Workaholics writer Jen D'Angelo is reportedly writing the Hocus Pocus sequel, which will stream on Disney+. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-movies-on-disney&captions=true"] Shankman is currently working with Disney on the sequel to Enchanted. His name has been attached to that movie since THR reported on his involvement in 2016. Shankman spoke to Variety as recently as 2019 about the movie, and said that a new draft of the script was on the way and the music was currently being written by Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken. He confirms that Amy Adams, James Marsden, Idina Menzel and Patrick Dempsey will all return for Disenchanted. Shankman last directed an episode of the Netflix series AJ and the Queen, but is best known as a choreographer on the Step Up movies, a host on So You Think You Can Dance and the director of 2007's Hairspray. He recently directed the Taraji P. Henson romantic comedy What Men Want. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/28/new-to-disney-plus-for-march-2020"] The Enchanted sequel was on IGN's list of 33 movies that were supposed to come out last decade. If you're looking for something to watch on Disney+ then check out everything that's coming to the service in March. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN who will be there for the midnight premiere of that Enchanted sequel.

While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare fans wait for official confirmation of the rumored Warzone battle royale mode, one more leak has given a new glimpse at what could be its map. As reported by Dexerto, Reddit user and known Call of Duty leaker Senescallo has posted what appears to be the full Warzone map. The map closely matches the leak in November 2019, also by Senescallo, that showed a similar map. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/14/new-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-battle-royale-details-reportedly-leaked-ign-news"] The map leak from November was edited by Redditor Kalinine, who marked up that map with potential locations that reference both multiplayer maps and Spec Ops maps. Kalinine estimates Warzone's map will be 8 km², and rumors suggest it could feature up to 200 players, have a "Gulag" feature that would see eliminated players battling it out 1v1 for a chance at a second life, a "Ping" system like Apex Legend's, and many vehicles. While there has been no official confirmation that Warzone exists, the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's second season has heavily hinted at its imminent arrival. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-call-of-duty-review&captions=true"] Not only did the opening cinematic show players jumping out of a plane onto a much larger map than usual, but there is a new mode on the main menu that only says "CLASSIFIED." While we may have to wait a bit longer to experience Modern Warfare's battle royale mode, players can jump into the store and purchase a Tomogunchi, a watch that houses a virtual pet that needs kills, wins, captures, and more to survive. [poilib element="accentDivider"] 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.

Earlier today, Google announced a brand new video game studio in Playa Vista, California created to develop games exclusively for Stadia. To head up the new studio Google tapped former God of War executive producer Shannon Studstill to lead the new endeavor. As for Santa Monica Studio, PlayStation has announced the new studio head to replace her. In a statement to IGN, Santa Monica Studio has announced Yumi Yang, a 19-year veteran at PlayStation “with an extensive background in product development and heavy involvement across many of Santa Monica Studio’s biggest games,” as the next studio head for its Santa Monica location. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-god-of-war-review&captions=true"] “Her project management prowess and meticulous oversight of 2018’s God of War helped the title fully realize its groundbreaking potential,” a spokesperson said in the statement. “After nearly two decades and countless substantial contributions to Santa Monica Studio’s rich legacy, Yumi has the unquestioned respect and trust of her peers. With her vast experience and deep understanding of the studio’s distinct creative DNA, she is perfectly positioned to lead Santa Monica Studio to a bold and exciting future.” Santa Monica Studio’s most recent game was 2018’s God of War which both Yang and Studstill worked on. God of War was a critical success and earned IGN’s 2018 Game of the Year award, along with several other accolades. The studio is currently developing an unannounced project. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/04/20/god-of-war-official-accolades-trailer"] Check below for Santa Monica Studio’s full statement, and check out IGN’s God of War review here or our God of War wiki for walkthroughs, tips, and more.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Shannon Studstill on her new role. Under her leadership, the studio she helped found over twenty years ago masterfully reinvented itself and its greatest franchise with 2018’s Game of the Year, God of War. In her role as VP of Product Development, Shannon helped smaller independent teams incubate within the studio, leading to groundbreaking works like Journey and The Unfinished Swan. All of PlayStation is better for and grateful of her many years of exemplary service and bold creative vision. Taking over as studio head is Yumi Yang, a 19-year PlayStation veteran with an extensive background in product development and heavy involvement across many of Santa Monica Studio’s biggest games. Her project management prowess and meticulous oversight of 2018’s God of War helped the title fully realize its groundbreaking potential. After nearly two decades and countless substantial contributions to Santa Monica Studio’s rich legacy, Yumi has the unquestioned respect and trust of her peers. With her vast experience and deep understanding of the studio’s distinct creative DNA, she is perfectly positioned to lead Santa Monica Studio to a bold and exciting future.

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.

Adam Driver came to the rescue when Ben Affleck needed last minute birthday presents for his son. Affleck was recently on Jimmy Kimmel Live and recounted a story about Driver being more prepared for his son's birthday than he was. Affleck said he was in the middle of shooting the The Last Duel with Adam Driver and demanded one day off for his son's birthday party. Before Affleck left the shoot, he told Driver that his son is a massive Star Wars fan and asked Driver to record a birthday video, which Driver agreed to do. The studio scheduled Affleck to shoot right up to the day, but the actor managed to get to the birthday party in time. Unfortunately for Affleck, he arrived home to find out that the presents he ordered for his son had yet to arrive. Affleck said his heart sank, especially since he's recently divorced and claims to get half the time he used to with his son. When all hope appeared lost, Affleck found out that Driver sent presents with a signed picture of Kylo Ren. Affleck joked to the crowd that he took those presents and played them off as his own, but told his son that his presents didn't make it. But, Affleck was able to show Driver's birthday video to his son and watch him joyfully unwrap Driver's presents. "It was an incredibly moving and powerful moment. Adam made me a hero to my kid and I will never ever ever forget that," Affleck said on Jimmy Kimmel Live. "...It meant the fu*king world to me." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/04/ben-affleck-confirms-mcdonalds-monopoly-movie-with-matt-damon-is-still-in-the-works-ign-news"] Affleck and Driver's movie, The Last Duel, will hit theaters on December 25 and is Ridley Scott's latest project. The film is based on a true story and takes place in the year 1386 when the last trial by combat was issued in France. Knight Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) accuses the squire Jacques Le Gris (Driver) of raping his wife, and he then gets approval from King Henry VI for a trial by combat after the matter was settled in Le Gris' favor. Scott will direct a screenplay by Affleck, Damon, Can You Ever Forgive Me? writer Nicole Holofcener and writer Eric Jager, according to IMDb. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=59-movies-to-geek-out-over-in-2020&captions=true"] Affleck recently said that he is still working on a movie about the guy who defrauded the McDonald's Monopoly game. His new movie, The Way Back, was praised in IGN's review, where the critic called it, "a gratifying sports movie that is made better than the average by some sadness, some realism, and Ben Affleck's performance." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN.

The developers of Half-Life: Alyx want to make more games in the Half-Life series, and they want to make them "a lot sooner than last time." It's not quite 'Half-Life 3 confirmed', but it's probably as close as we've come in the last decade-and-a-half. Speaking to IGN's Ryan McCaffrey in an upcoming episode of IGN Unfiltered, Half-Life: Alyx developers Chris Remo and Robin Walker were asked if, now that Alyx is complete, they were done with Half-Life for the time being, or energised to make more games set in the universe. "I think much more the latter than the former, for sure", explained Remo. "It's really clear that people at the studio really, really like working in this universe, and have really enjoyed making this game. And, like, why wouldn't you, you know? It makes a lot of sense. As someone who's only been [at Valve for] a couple years, it is sort of amazing to come into contact with all this stuff that I recognise so deeply, but see what it means in a modern context. That's incredibly exciting, and paints all kinds of pictures - they're all hazy pictures, I don't know what any of them are, but it feels like people are very excited about the Half-Life universe, for sure." Walker went further: "Yeah, I mean, hopefully everyone likes the game, and they want more of it. I can only really echo what Chris said. We've really enjoyed building this, it was a heck of a lot of fun to go back to and deliver on what, hopefully, everyone wanted from us. I hope we get to build more of it. I hope everyone didn't hate it and now we have to slink away and spend another 13 years trying to figure out what our next shot at the whole thing is. So yes, I hope you see more from us a lot sooner than last time." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/04/half-life-alyx-13-minutes-of-valve-commentary-ign-first"] Neither will say the magic words - 'Half-Life 3' - but it's beginning to feel like we're closer to that near-mythical sequel than ever before. When Half-Life: Alyx was first announced, Walker told us that those who had made the original games were "thrilled to be back in the Half-Life universe again." Given how many Half-Life sequels have reportedly been cancelled in the years since Half-Life 2: Episode 2, the team is likely pleased to get a game out of the door, in the hopes that it means more will come. Whether future games will finish Half Life 2's story, or continue it (Half-Life: Alyx is a prequel to that game) is still unknown. However, we know that writer Marc Laidlaw had a plot in mind for Half-Life 2: Episode 3, which included a Combine-surrounded, reality-phasing ship, and Wallace Breen's brain plugged into an enormous slug monster. Of course, we have Half-Life: Alyx to enjoy first, and it arrives for PC-compatible VR headsets on March 23. We're running an IGN First on the game for the whole of March - so far, we've shown off a 9-minute chunk of the game, and Valve has broken down 13 minutes of gameplay for us too. Later this month, we'll release the full, hour-plus interview with Remo and Walker that these quotes come from - it's very much worth staying tuned for that. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/02/half-life-alyx-9-minutes-of-gameplay-ign-first"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News, and he would quite like Half-Life: DOG. Follow him on Twitter.

My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising has earned its place among the highest-grossing anime films of all time in the US after pulling in $10 million at the box office. Watch an exclusive clip from My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/04/my-hero-academia-heroes-rising-official-clip"] The box office haul puts it ahead of Digimon: The Movie’s $9.6m and into the top 10 biggest anime earners of all time. That list naturally includes a trio of Studio Ghibli films - Spirited Away, Ponyo, and The Secret World of Arrietty - and is unsurprisingly topped by Pokemon: The First Movie, Pokemon: The Movie 2000, and Dragon Ball Super: Broly in the number one, two, and three slots respectively. My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising opened on February 26 across more than 1,200 screens in the US and Canada, in both original Japanese and English dub languages. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-anime-of-the-decade-2010-2019&captions=true"] Just like the main anime series, in our review, we said My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising shines. For more anime, check out our Power Raking episode where we reveal the five best anime series ever, as voted by you. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

The Batman director Matt Reeves has shared the first look of his version of the Batmobile, alongside another look at Robert Pattinson as Batman himself. The three images, which can be seen in the gallery below, were posted on Twitter by Reeves with just a bat and car emoji and #TheBatman. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-batman-first-look-at-the-batmobile&captions=true"] This Batmobile is a big change from Batman v Superman's Batmobile that was much more heavily armored and tank-like. This follows Reeve's earlier reveal of Robert Pattinson's camera test, which gave us our first look at Pattinson as the Dark Knight. The Batman is set to be released in theaters on June 25, 2021, and will star Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle, Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/The Riddler, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, and Colin Farrell as the Penguin. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/13/the-batman-camera-test"] It was also confirmed that Jayme Lawson and Peter Sarsgaard will also join the cast as a mayoral candidate named Bella Real and Gotham's District Attorney Gil Colson, respectively. While we don't know much of The Batman's plot, it is reportedly set in the '90s and takes place early on in Bruce Wayne's career. Pattinson is taking over for Ben Affleck's Batman, who starred in Batman v Superman and Justice League and had a short appearance in Suicide Squad. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-batman-cast-every-actor-and-character&captions=true"] Affleck discussed his decision to hang up the cowl, saying that he tried to write a script he loved, but just couldn't quite get it to where it needed to be. For more on Batman, check out our ranking of the best movie Batman, what comics Jeffrey Wright is researching for his Jim Gordon role, and our theory on what Pattinson's Batsuit's Bat Symbol could actually be. [poilib element="accentDivider"] 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.