New Fable Reportedly in Development at Playground Games
Microsoft is reportedly reviving the Fable series with a big-budget, character-focused action-RPG. Playground Games, the studio behind the Forza Horizon series, is said to be developing the new Fable.
Eurogamer reports Microsoft is making a "significant investment" in Fable, though development is still in its "early days." The report states Playground is in the process of hiring staff, "with some 200 people set to work on the game." Playground has already brought on talent from DICE, Rockstar North, and Ninja Theory.
Monster Hunter World Day One Patch Required for Online Play
Monster Hunter World is set to receive a Day One patch which adds a few new features - most notably, the arrival of series staple Poogies.
The adorable little pet pigs initially seemed to be absent from the game but after we mentioned it in our list of 47 ways Monster Hunter World mixes up the series' formula, Capcom calmed our spirits by informing us that Poogies would appear in the game in some form - and now we know they'll be arriving on launch day.
As reported by Siliconera, the game's producer Ryozo Tsujimoto appeared as part of a Capcom TV live stream to explain what was included in the patch, confirming that Poogies' relationship with the player characters will remain the same as in previous iterations: you can show it affection and pick it up, and Monster Hunter World actually takes this a step further by including a treasure hint function. While carrying your Poogie, a rumbling controller will indicate nearby treasure - and your porcine pal will even scurry off and collect it for you.
A Wrinkle in Time: Exclusive New Character Posters – IGN First
All month long, IGN First is spotlighting the Films to Watch in 2018. Today, we take a look at Disney's A Wrinkle in Time, Ava DuVernay's adaptation of the seminal Madeleine L'Engle sci-fi/fantasy novel, which assembles an all-star cast including Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, in addition to newcomer Storm Reid.
With just under two months to go until Disney's A Wrinkle in Time finally hits theaters, IGN is excited to debut three brand new character posters for the upcoming film. The posters showcase stars Storm Reid, Chris Pine and Mbatha-Raw as the core family at the center of the film, the Murrys. Take a look at the exclusive images below:
Nintendo to Announce ‘New Interactive Experience’ for Switch
Nintendo plans to announce a "new interactive experience for the Switch" later today, with more details expected at 10pm GMT / 5pm EST / 2pm PST / 9am Thursday January 18 AEDT. Although there is little information at the moment, Nintendo is describing it as "specially crafted for kids and those who are kids at heart".
The announcement comes as something of a surprise; last week saw a Nintendo Direct Mini but that presentation didn't allude to anything like this. Since the Direct was focused on games, it seems likely that this is something else, perhaps an accessory, although the phrase "interactive experience" would suggest something a little wider.
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Mobile Dissidia Game is Coming to the West
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT launches for the PlayStation 4 on January 30, but fans of the franchise will have more than one way to pit their favourite characters against each other, with the news that a mobile version of the game called Dissidia Final Fantasy: Opera Omnia will be arriving on Android and Apple devices in the near future, following a successful launch in Japan.
Taking its inspiration from Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, this game also features a world where Spiritus and Materia are locked in eternal battle, pitting warriors from various realms against each other. When the endless battle becomes too much, the warriors send out a cry for help, which is where the player comes in.
Metal Gear Survive: More “Survive”, Less “Metal Gear”
The “Survive” in the title of Metal Gear Survive is a lot more literal than the first glimpses of gameplay might’ve made it seem. This is, first and foremost, a survival game, with unforgiving thirst and hunger systems that deplete by the second. On the other hand, the “Metal Gear” part of the title is much less literal. This is an action-first, crafting-driven adventure that, based on our three hours of hands-on time, has almost nothing but environments in common with previous games in the series, for better or for worse.
We dropped into the game’s seemingly expansive open world right after a series of somewhat uninspiring story cutscenes, and were immediately introduced to Survive’s version of Mother Base. It’s a fairly bleak but customizable base setup that initially has stations for crafting gear, weapons, and medicine, plus a fireplace for cooking raw meat so it becomes edible. There’s also a station specifically dedicated to leveling up, and all of these are explained by two off-screen robots that speak infuriatingly slowly.
Overwatch Blizzard World Map Release Date Revealed
Blizzard has announced when all players can dive into the Overwatch Blizzard World map for competitive play.
The Blizzard World map, first announced at BlizzCon 2017, will be available on Jan. 23. The map is an homage to Blizzard's other franchises, including World of Warcraft and Hearthstone. Featuring areas themed around all of these games, Blizzard World lets players loose in an amusement park.
New J.J. Abrams Drama Series In the Works
Star Wars: Episode IX director J.J. Abrams is working on a new sci-fi drama series.
According to The Hollywood Reporter the untitled series, written by Abrams, centers around a family who gets into a car crash that leaves the mother, who's a scientist, in a coma. After looking through her mother's experiments, the daughter finds herself in a different land where the world is battling against some sort of monstrous, oppressive force.
Abrams will executive produce alongside Bad Robot's Ben Stephenson. He is currently shopping the series around with multiple networks reportedly interested, including HBO and Apple.
Flash Standalone Film Gets Vacation Directors
Warner Bros. is reportedly tapping two comedy directors to helm the Flash standalone film Flashpoint.
Variety reports Vacation directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein are in talks to helm the movie, with Warner Bros. seemingly eyeing a more comedic tone for Flashpoint. Joby Harold has turned in the latest draft for the movie after a reported page-one rewrite. The studio also reportedly wanted Ben Affleck to direct, but he passed on the project.
Flashpoint's future has been in doubt following DC Films reportedly undergoing a restructuring, which resulted in a new DC Films boss. As for whether Affleck's Batman will show up in Flashpoint, reports suggest it now seems more likely Affleck will make his final appearance as the Dark Knight in Suicide Squad 2 instead.