The X-Files Could Only Have Become Popular in the ’90s
The X-Files recently returned for its eleventh season, which is premiering (thanks to breaks in its schedule) some 24 years after its debut. Mulder and Scully are largely familiar to us all, and paranoid government conspiracies about UFOs have become de rigueur thanks in part to the show's popularity. (Read our review of The X-Files Season 11 premiere here.)
The X-Files, however, could only have become popular right when it did, and it most certainly has to fight for relevance in a changed world. The X-Files was – more than we might realize – a product of the 1990s. Chris Carter's popular paranoiac brainchild, to this day, still represents interests and ideas that were only relevant during the decade of its inception. As such, The X-Files, even more than any recent pop culture revival, is nestled firmly in the bosom of nostalgia. We love the show – through its highs and lows – but its politics are most certainly dated.
Monster Hunter World: New Open Beta, First DLC Announced
Monster Hunter: World will hold a final open beta on PlayStation 4 from Friday, January 19 through Monday, January 22, Capcom announced today.
The upcoming beta will not require a PlayStation Plus subscription. Additionally, it includes a new quest to hunt flagship monster Nergigante, who was unavailable in previous betas. The beta's original three quest targets - Great Jagras, Barroth and Anjanath - will still be available.
Capcom also released a trailer introducing new and returning Elder Dragons coming in Monster Hunter: World. To the delight of series veterans, fan favorites Kushala Daora and Teostra will join newcomer Dodogama. Kushala Daora is a steel-clad storm on legs and Teostra a ferocious emperor of embers, and Capcom describes Dodogama as a rock-eating wyvern armed with explosive saliva.
Grab Xbox One S with 3 Games for Under £230
Future God of War Games Could Use Egyptian or Mayan Myth
God of War may only just be heading into the territory of Norse mythology, but it might not stick around there.
Speaking to Game Informer, director Cory Barlog explained: "The Greek games were the Greek era of God of War. Moving on, the next mythological belief system he interacts with became the Norse era of God of War. But we may end up going on to the Egyptian era and the Mayan era and so on and so forth."
Of course, God of War's Greek era was eight years and six games long, so this may not be a plan for the immediate future. Then again, much of the appeal of the upcoming PS4 God of War is in its change of setting and the personality of its lead character, Kratos, so Sony Santa Monica may be keen to reinvent the series more often.
IGN UK Podcast #416: Kung Fu Kenny’s Black Mirror
It's the new year, so of course we start by trying to discuss shiny new things like Black Mirror and Bright, but we just can't help ourselves falling into talking about Jonathan Creek, Football Manager and, yes, The Prestige. Whoops.
But we've also got a round-up of the games we caught up on over Christmas, the maddest film of last year, plus there's a recipe for a chicken meal at the very end for some reason.
IGN UK Podcast #416: Kung Fu Kenny's Black Mirror
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Microsoft Announces Glow-in-the-Dark Xbox One Controller
Microsoft has announced a tie-in accessory for upcoming pirate-themed action-adventure game Sea of Thieves, with a deep purple, glow-in-the-dark Xbox One controller, available as of next month.
Featuring a "translucent design" and "laser-etched barnacles", the controller also has its own hidden treasure in the form of one single golden trigger (it's the right trigger, if you're wondering) as well as a nautical design on the rear of the controller. The front face of the controller has as its centrepiece a glow-in-the-dark skull wearing an eyepatch, and continuing with the nautical theme, the left control stick has the appearance of a compass.
Burnout Paradise HD Remaster Seemingly Announced for Japan
'Burnout Paradise HD Remaster' (a tentative title) will seemingly be released for PS4 in Japan on March 16 - which hopefully means we'll be getting it worldwide too.
On Twitter, Renka_schedule (a game scheduling Wiki) revealed a Japanese format and release date for the classic open world racer/smasher.
As Gematsu points out, listings for PS4 and Xbox One versions dated for March were spotted in December. It's looking more and more likely that we'll be taken back to Paradise City this year.
Captain Marvel Casts DeWanda Wise in Supporting Role
DeWanda Wise has joined the cast of Captain Marvel.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wise will have a supporting role in the upcoming MCU movie. The actress stars as Nola Darling in the Netflix series She's Gotta Have It. She also appeared in last year's crime drama Shots Fired, as well as the history drama Underground.
DeWanda Wise as Nola Darling in She's Gotta Have It
Ridley Scott May Direct Disney’s Merlin Saga
Ridley Scott may direct a movie based on Merlin for Disney.
Variety reports Scott is in talks with Disney for The Merlin Saga, and it may be the filmmaker's next project with Philippa Boyens (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) penning the script. Scott’s production company Scott Free is also in negotiations to produce the movie.
While not much is currently known about The Merlin Saga, it is said to be based on T.A. Barron's novel series, which follows a young Merlin becoming a mentor to King Arthur. It is one of two movies Disney is currently developing based on the character, with the other one being a live-action remake of 1963's Sword in the Stone. Scott has met with Disney about this project as well.
Animaniacs Ordered for Two-Season Revival on Hulu
Animaniacs is getting a two-season revival on Hulu, the company announced today.
Hulu is teaming up with Warner Bros. Animation and Amblin Television to bring back the Peabody Award-winning animated comedy. New episodes will begin rolling out sometime in 2020 in what will be Hulu's first family-oriented original series.
The new seasons will once again focus on Warner brothers Yakko and Wakko and sister Dot. The trio has escaped Warner Bros. water tower after being locked up in there for quite a while. With their new-found freedom, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot begin causing plenty of chaos. Fan-favorite characters Pinky and the Brain will also make appearances in each new episode.