Monthly Archives: May 2021

Demon Slayer Has Overtaken Mortal Kombat at the Weekend Domestic Box Office

After losing a close battle in its opening weekend at the domestic box office, Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train has officially taken the top spot from Mortal Kombat. As detailed by Box Office Mojo, Demon Slayer earned $6.4 million this past weekend, which narrowly defeated Mortal Kombat's $6.2 million. Godzilla vs. Kong held on to the #3 spot with a total of $2.7 million. Rounding out the top five are Separation's $1.8 million and Raya and the Last Dragon's $1.3 million. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/22/mortal-kombat-movie-review"] In their box office debuts, Mortal Kombat earned $22.5 million and klaimed the top spot over Demon Slayer's $19.5 million. Not only did Demon Slayer pass Mortal Kombat at the domestic box office, but it also has passed its total gross of $34.1 million by collecting $34.11 million as of May 2, 2021. Both films saw an earnings drop of about 70% at the box office, while Godzilla vs. Kong dropped about 36% week-over-week. In our Mortal Kombat review, we said, "it may not be a flawless victory but the new Mortal Kombat movie is a fun time for fans of the game franchise." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/18/demon-slayer-the-movie-mugen-train-review"] In our Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train review, we said, "Ufotable’s jaw-dropping visuals alone make Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train well worth a watch, even if the film stumbles a bit at the climax. Those who enjoyed the TV series will no doubt enjoy the film as it is a solid continuation of the show’s main story and will no doubt be a major moment that shapes the next step in our heroes’ lives." [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.

Demon Slayer Has Overtaken Mortal Kombat at the Weekend Domestic Box Office

After losing a close battle in its opening weekend at the domestic box office, Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train has officially taken the top spot from Mortal Kombat. As detailed by Box Office Mojo, Demon Slayer earned $6.4 million this past weekend, which narrowly defeated Mortal Kombat's $6.2 million. Godzilla vs. Kong held on to the #3 spot with a total of $2.7 million. Rounding out the top five are Separation's $1.8 million and Raya and the Last Dragon's $1.3 million. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/22/mortal-kombat-movie-review"] In their box office debuts, Mortal Kombat earned $22.5 million and klaimed the top spot over Demon Slayer's $19.5 million. Not only did Demon Slayer pass Mortal Kombat at the domestic box office, but it also has passed its total gross of $34.1 million by collecting $34.11 million as of May 2, 2021. Both films saw an earnings drop of about 70% at the box office, while Godzilla vs. Kong dropped about 36% week-over-week. In our Mortal Kombat review, we said, "it may not be a flawless victory but the new Mortal Kombat movie is a fun time for fans of the game franchise." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/18/demon-slayer-the-movie-mugen-train-review"] In our Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train review, we said, "Ufotable’s jaw-dropping visuals alone make Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train well worth a watch, even if the film stumbles a bit at the climax. Those who enjoyed the TV series will no doubt enjoy the film as it is a solid continuation of the show’s main story and will no doubt be a major moment that shapes the next step in our heroes’ lives." [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.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition’s First Patch Is Bigger Than Each Mass Effect

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is set to be released in just a couple weeks, and a possible day one patch has just appeared on PlayStation servers that is bigger than the individual file sizes of Mass Effect 1, 2, and 3. As reported by Twisted Voxel, this patch appeared on OrbisPatches.com and includes improvements to performance, stability, Ambient Occlusion (AO), and lighting (both visual and performance-related). It also fixes crashes and "miscellaneous content." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/02/mass-effect-legendary-edition-official-trailer"] At 11.8 GB, this patch is bigger than the base game of the original Mass Effect's 6.83 GB, Mass Effect 2's 9.25 GB and Mass Effect 3's 10.60 GB. It is not, however, bigger than Cyberpunk 2077's Day Zero and Day One patches that came in at 43 GB and 28 GB, respectively. Things have obviously changed since 2007 when the original Mass Effect was released, and the advancements in technology and resolution also come with a higher required file size. Besides the fact that this patch most likely improves all three games, it's for a package that includes the entire trilogy and more than 40 pieces of downloadable content that are playable in 4K Ultra HD and HDR. Mass Effect Legendary Edition, when it is released on May 14 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, will tell the complete tale of Commander Shepard except for Mass Effect's Pinnacle Station DLC that was cut due to corrupted source code. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/02/mass-effect-legendary-edition-our-first-impressions"] We've called Mass Effect Legendary Edition less than a remake, but it's much more than a basic remaster. BioWare also detailed a ton of the gameplay tweaks fans can expect, including for combat, the Mako, and more. [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.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition’s First Patch Is Bigger Than Each Mass Effect

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is set to be released in just a couple weeks, and a possible day one patch has just appeared on PlayStation servers that is bigger than the individual file sizes of Mass Effect 1, 2, and 3. As reported by Twisted Voxel, this patch appeared on OrbisPatches.com and includes improvements to performance, stability, Ambient Occlusion (AO), and lighting (both visual and performance-related). It also fixes crashes and "miscellaneous content." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/02/mass-effect-legendary-edition-official-trailer"] At 11.8 GB, this patch is bigger than the base game of the original Mass Effect's 6.83 GB, Mass Effect 2's 9.25 GB and Mass Effect 3's 10.60 GB. It is not, however, bigger than Cyberpunk 2077's Day Zero and Day One patches that came in at 43 GB and 28 GB, respectively. Things have obviously changed since 2007 when the original Mass Effect was released, and the advancements in technology and resolution also come with a higher required file size. Besides the fact that this patch most likely improves all three games, it's for a package that includes the entire trilogy and more than 40 pieces of downloadable content that are playable in 4K Ultra HD and HDR. Mass Effect Legendary Edition, when it is released on May 14 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, will tell the complete tale of Commander Shepard except for Mass Effect's Pinnacle Station DLC that was cut due to corrupted source code. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/02/mass-effect-legendary-edition-our-first-impressions"] We've called Mass Effect Legendary Edition less than a remake, but it's much more than a basic remaster. BioWare also detailed a ton of the gameplay tweaks fans can expect, including for combat, the Mako, and more. [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.

Battlefield 6 Images Allegedly Leak Ahead of Official Reveal

Images from Battlefield 6 have allegedly been leaked ahead of the game's official reveal, and they showcase big storms, a rocket ship, helicopters, beaches, and more. As reported by VGC, these images, which you can see here and here as AI upscaled versions, were posted on social media and give a possible glimpse at the upcoming Battlefield title that has the biggest team in the series' history. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/18/dragon-age-and-battlefield-tech-teaser-ea-play-2020"] Tom Henderson, who has published multiple Battlefield 6 reports in the past, has confirmed that these images are in fact real. Furthermore, they match with sketches Henderson drew of these scenes in April that were from a teaser trailer set be released at some point in the future. "I'm not going to RT or share for obvious reasons... But yes, the 2 #BATTLEFIELD images that have been leaked in the past hour are real," Henderson wrote. "I'm not sure why the leaker has decided to capture the exact same shots (although the heli shot is a few frames out) but the screen grabs where likely captured via zoom or something like that - Which explains the low quality. We're not long away now :)" Battlefield 6 is planned for a 2021 release and will utilize the "full power of next-gen platforms to ensure this is 'exactly' the game that Battlefield fans want to play." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-battlefield-review&captions=true"] This will be the first new entry since 2018's Battlefield 5 and is just one of the projects in the works for the franchise alongside a standalone mobile game that is targeting a 2022 launch date. [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.

Battlefield 6 Images Allegedly Leak Ahead of Official Reveal

Images from Battlefield 6 have allegedly been leaked ahead of the game's official reveal, and they showcase big storms, a rocket ship, helicopters, beaches, and more. As reported by VGC, these images, which you can see here and here as AI upscaled versions, were posted on social media and give a possible glimpse at the upcoming Battlefield title that has the biggest team in the series' history. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/18/dragon-age-and-battlefield-tech-teaser-ea-play-2020"] Tom Henderson, who has published multiple Battlefield 6 reports in the past, has confirmed that these images are in fact real. Furthermore, they match with sketches Henderson drew of these scenes in April that were from a teaser trailer set be released at some point in the future. "I'm not going to RT or share for obvious reasons... But yes, the 2 #BATTLEFIELD images that have been leaked in the past hour are real," Henderson wrote. "I'm not sure why the leaker has decided to capture the exact same shots (although the heli shot is a few frames out) but the screen grabs where likely captured via zoom or something like that - Which explains the low quality. We're not long away now :)" Battlefield 6 is planned for a 2021 release and will utilize the "full power of next-gen platforms to ensure this is 'exactly' the game that Battlefield fans want to play." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-battlefield-review&captions=true"] This will be the first new entry since 2018's Battlefield 5 and is just one of the projects in the works for the franchise alongside a standalone mobile game that is targeting a 2022 launch date. [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.

Microsoft Documents Reveal a Plan to Increase Revenue Share by 18% for Xbox Devs

According to confidential documents, Microsoft was planning to reduce its 30% revenue share for Xbox Store games by 18%, moving the split between the developers and itself from 70/30 to 88/12. As reported by The Verge, these documents were filed for the upcoming Epic Games vs. Apple case in January 2021 and state that "all games will move to 88/12 in CY21." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/10/08/valves-30-cut-is-actually-the-industry-standard"] Also stated on the same page is the already announced news that Microsoft will be increasing the revenue share of PC games on the Microsoft Store by the same 18% on August 1, 2021. This would be a significant move for the console games industry as Xbox, Nintendo, and Sony currently all have a revenue share split of 70/30. Microsoft's move on the PC side has put it in line with Epic Games' 88/12 split and moved it away from the 70/30 split that Steam still uses. However, a Microsoft spokesperson did tell The Verge that "We have no plans to change the revenue share for console games at this time." As The Verge notes, this could mean that the plans have fallen through, have changed, or Microsoft isn't ready to announce or commit to them. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-games-to-play-on-xbox-series-xs&captions=true"] Microsoft also refused to comment on another important part of the documents that revealed Microsoft would offer this 88/12 split for PC games revenue share "for all games in exchange for streaming rights to Microsoft." This would clearly be a move to bolster Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Game Pass service. Also detailed were some of the exclusivity deals in place for Microsoft games, including S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2's three-month deal, Tetris Effect: Connected's six-month deal, and a deal that would make The Gunk "exclusive in perpetuity." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/26/stalker-2-dev-diary"] [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.

Dragon Age 4 Concept Art Teases the Return of the Grey Wardens

New concept art for Dragon Age 4 has teased the return of the Grey Wardens - the order of warriors responsible for fighting back the darkspawn throughout Thedas. Dragon Age 4 executive producer Christian Dailey shared this latest piece of concept art on Twitter, and it follows a couple others from Dailey that showed off a mage in a rain-drenched alley in Minrathous and a helmeted archer in a fractured world. [caption id="attachment_250825" align="aligncenter" width="720"]E0QX6FeWUAAsdnP Image Credit: Christian Dailey[/caption] While its unclear if these are teases for characters we may encounter or play as in Dragon Age 4 or just a peek into its creation, it's always exciting to see something new related to this much-anticipated game. For those unfamiliar, Grey Wardens are an order of elite fighters that work to defeat the Archdemon and save the world from the Blight. Players became one of these Grey Wardens in Dragon Age: Origins and Anders from Dragon Age 2 has connections to them as well. They also played a role in Dragon Age Inquisition and players had a hand in deciding some of their fate. A book from BioWare confirmed that Tevinter is one of Dragon Age 4's main locations. The headquarters of the Grey Wardens - Weisshaupt Fortress - is just due west of the Tevinter Imperium and may very well be another location we visit when Dragon Age 4 is released. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/11/dragon-age-4-cinematic-trailer"] While we still have no release date or official title for Dragon Age 4, The Game Awards 2020 gave us a glimpse into its world and revealed some  returning characters and a greater sense of the art style. [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.

Doom Eternal Adds More Paid Cosmetic DLC After Assurances It Wouldn’t

Despite assurances that Doom Eternal would not add paid cosmetic DLC, two more packs have now been made available for purchase. As reported by VGC, these two packs - the DOOMicorn Master Collection Cosmetic Pack and the Series One Cosmetic Pack - are now available for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation and cost $4.99 and $8.99, respectively. Prior to Doom Eternal's launch, creative director Hugo Martin responded to a Facebook comment confirming the game would have "no store." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/28/doom-eternal-will-not-have-microtransactions"] "No store," Martin wrote. "Nothing u can unlock in eternal with XP has anything to do with player abilities or content that would impact your game in anyway. The only thing u can unlock with XP is COSMETICS. These cosmetics have no impact on how u play, they just look cool. "Eternal is a $60 game, not a free to play game or a mobile game - we are giving u a complete experience with no store just like you'd expect. Unlocking skins with XP is a part of the experience if you care about that stuff or u can completely ignore it and it will have no impact on your experience AT ALL and it's all free." These two packs also aren't the first pieces of cosmetic DLC to be made available, as the Rip 'N Tear pack was released a couple months after launch. However, these were items that were originally a pre-order incentive, so there wasn't too much negativity surrounding it. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/23/doom-eternal-the-ancient-gods-part-2-review"] Like the Rip 'N Tear pack, many of the items in the newly released packs were given away to players for free or as part of a promotion at some point in Doom Eternal's history, but now they are available as a full bundle. Doom has had paid DLC in the form of expansions known as The Ancient Gods Part 1 & 2, and those were generally well-received despite their difficulty. Doom Eternal is available on Xbox Game Pass, and Microsoft has since acquired its parent company ZeniMax Media, so it's very possible that all of these shifts have led to this decision. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/09/microsoft-bethesda-heres-to-the-journey-official-announcement-trailer"] IGN has reached out to Bethesda for a comment. [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.

G4 Adds a New, Entirely Virtual Presenter to Its Line-Up

G4 has announced that CodeMiko, an entirely virtual presenter (or ‘vTuber’), will be part of its presenting team when the gaming network returns later this year. “In just a few short months, CodeMiko has carved out a wildly successful niche on Twitch,” said Kevin Sabbe, G4’s Head of Content, in a press release. “CodeMiko will bring her revolutionary interview experience to G4 and help the network push the boundaries of gaming entertainment.” If you’ve not encountered CodeMiko before, she is a Twitch streamer created through live animation. Her creator - known only as ‘The Technician’ - wears a motion capture suit, the data from which is rendered using Unreal Engine and translated into movement. This is then mapped in real time to animate a digital avatar of CodeMiko on-screen. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/24/g4-2021-return-teaser"] CodeMiko can generally be found in the ‘Just Chatting’ section of Twitch, where she interviews a variety of people including some relatively prolific people in the gaming and content creator communities, such as Dunkey and Jacksepticeye. Her interview style is probably most easily categorised as ‘unusual’. This unique approach has amassed her 676,000 followers in just a few months. On G4, CodeMiko will be interviewing people from the games industry in her own style, as well as presenting comedy skits and live streams. “On G4, I’ll be interviewing some of the most notable names in gaming and entertainment,” said CodeMiko. “I’ll also be interviewing people like Kevin Pereira and Adam Sessler.” The return of G4 was teased last summer, and has since been announced to be coming back in a major way. X-Play and Attack of the Show, the network’s best-know shows, will be resurrected, and their original hosts Adam Sessler and Kevin Pereira will return. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.