Pokemon Go Developer Buys AR Company Escher Reality
Pokemon Go developer Niantic Labs has purchased augmented reality company Escher Reality.
Niantic announced the acquisition in a post on its official blog, publicly welcoming Escher co-founders Ross Finman and Diana Hu and their team to Niantic.
"The addition of the Escher AR technology is incredibly exciting to us at Niantic as it significantly accelerates our work on persistent, shared AR as part of the Niantic real-world application platform," Niantic founder and CEO John Hanke said in the post.
The Pokemon Go developer plans to broaden the availability of its cross-platform AR technology to developers later this year, and will share more information on this front in the future.
Batman and Catwoman’s Wedding Date Revealed
Ever since Catwoman accepted Batman's marriage proposal last year, fans have wondered when (and if) these two characters would actually tie the knot. That event will unfold this July in the pages of Batman #50, but the two lovers will have some hurdles to cross before they can finally walk down the aisle.
The countdown to the big day will begin in DC Nation #0, a budget-priced one-shot hitting stores in May. Writer Tom King and artist Clay Mann will reunite for a story that explores what happens when Joker learns about Batman and Catwoman's impending nuptials. Needless to say, he won't be pleased.
DC Nation #0 cover by Jorge Jimenez. (DC Entertainment)
Did You Know There’s a New Stargate Series?
It looks like the Stargate franchise is alive and well. The final trailer for Stargate Origins reveals an Indiana Jones-inspired adventure featuring Nazis, thrilling action, and a formidable young Catherine Langford (Ellie Gall) that Stargate fans will remember from the original film back in 1994. The first episode will be available to stream on February 15th -- exclusively on Stargate Command.
Stargate Origins first season will center on the adventures of Catherine and her father, Paul (Connor Trinneer). Set in 1939, 10-years have passed since the discovery of the ancient alien relic and the Langford’s still have no idea how to activate it. When a sinister Nazi occultist named Dr. Wilhelm Brucke starts showing interest in the Stargate project -- things go horribly wrong.
It’s Monster Hunter’s World, We’re Just Living In It
Welcome back to Game Scoop!, IGN's weekly video game talk show. This week we're discussing Monster Hunter World, Shadow of the Colossus, PS4 exclusives, and more. Watch the video above or download the podcast below.
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God of War Facebook Text Adventure Explores Atreus’ Past
Sony has collaborated with Facebook on a God of War text adventure titled A Call From The Wilds, and it's out now on Facebook's Messenger app.
According to Santa Monica Studios' announcement on Twitter, players will "explore the Norse wilds as Atreus on his first adventure." The text adventure consists of several chapters, and if you make it to the end, you'll unlock eight pieces of concept art. You'll make choices and type out commands in order to progress through the tale.
You can check out A Call From The Wilds here.
New Look for Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Revealed
The Ninja Turtles are returning to television with a whole new look.
The show completely reimagines the characters, with Donatello sporting a soft-shell and a tech-bo staff and Leonardo as a red-eared slider who uses an ōdachi sword. Raphael, on the other hand, wields tonfas and is a snapping turtle with a jagged-shelled. The youngest Ninja Turtle, Michelangelo, is a box turtle who uses a kusari-fundo as his weapon. Check out the images below.
April O’Neil and Splinter are part of this new adventure as well, which premieres on Nickelodeon this fall. The series will expand the mythology of the Ninja Turtles with new villains, and featuring a "more mystical New York City."
43 Images of Nintendo Labo in Action
IGN has gone hands-on with Nintendo Labo, and you can get a first look at our experience.
Ahead of our impressions of playing with Labo's Variety and Robot kits, which are set for release on April 20, check out 43 images of our hands-on below:
Nintendo's cardboard DIY expansion kits for the Switch are only a couple of months away, so check out IGN's Labo preorder and purchasing guide for everything you need to know about picking up Nintendo's unique experience.
Mission Impossible 6 Poster Features Cruise Helicopter Stunt
The sixth film in the Mission Impossible series is heading to theaters this July, and Tom Cruise has been sharing tidbits from the film on social media.
Last week, we were treated to a shot of Cruise clinging to the side of a helicopter for one of the film's stunts, and today, he shared a short teaser in anticipation of the official trailer dropping Super Bowl Sunday, and we also got a look at the movie's first poster.
Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition Preorder Bonuses Detailed
Square Enix has released a benchmark tool for players to optimize their PCs before Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition releases in March.
Square Enix shared the news in a post on its official blog, where it also provided details about the preorder bonuses for those who purchase the game through Steam, Origin, or the Microsoft Store.
The PC version supports native 4K and 8K resolutions, and HDR10. Mods will also be supported. You can check out the benchmark tool for your region by clicking the links below:
Brian Bendis Takes Over DC’s Superman Comics
DC Comics has finally revealed what readers can expect from writer Brian Michael Bendis. The newly DC-exclusive writer will be taking control of the Superman franchise this summer, writing both the monthly Superman and Action Comics titles as well as a weekly miniseries called Man of Steel.
As revealed last month, Bendis will make his official DC debut as part of the anniversary issue Action Comics #1000, which will debut on April 18. From there, Bendis' Superman run begins in earnest with Man of Steel, which will ship weekly starting in May. The series will pair Bendis with a number of prominent DC artists, including Ivan Reis, Evan “Doc” Shaner, Ryan Sook, Kevin Maguire, Adam Hughes and Jason Fabok. According to DC, Man of Steel will explore the destruction of Krypton and Superman's rise as a hero, introducing a major new villain with direct ties to Krypton in the process. Bendis will also team with artist Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez for a Man of Steel prelude story in May's DC Nation #0.