Apple Acquires Music Identifying Service Shazam
Apple has acquired Shazam, the popular music identifying service, in a deal reportedly worth "around" $400 million USD.
"We are thrilled that Shazam and its talented team will be joining Apple," said Apple in a statement issued to Variety. "Since the launch of the App Store, Shazam has consistently ranked as one of the most popular apps for iOS." The company went on to say Apple Music and Shazam are a "natural fit," teasing it has "exciting plans in store" for the future of the service.
The Shazam logo (image via Shazam)
Kojima Explains Death Stranding Gameplay and Lore
“I’m trying to make something different. How to show that, how to have people see that, that’s something I’m trying to figure out.”
As usual, Hideo Kojima was calm and collected as I spoke to him just hours after the newest look at Death Stranding at the 2017 Game Awards. I’ve spoken with him several times throughout the past few years, from the forging of his partnership with Sony and his decision to use the Decima Engine, to the opening of his new studio deep in the heart of Shinagawa. But this time, something different happened. This time, I walked away from my time with Kojima with some actual, tangible details about the gameplay mechanics, philosophy, and lore of Death Stranding.
TWD: How Alexandria’s Fate Compares to the Comics
Walking Dead episode 808, "How It's Gotta Be," gave us a big character death and tons of action, with an ambush that came directly from Robert Kirkman's "All Out War" arc from the comic series. Of course, part of this episode's battle was already covered in a different section of the TV show, plucked and pulled out for use back in Season 7's finale, "The First Day of the Rest of Your Life" with all that went down with Sonequa Martin-Green's Sasha.
Conan Exiles Official Release Date Announced
Conan Exiles will be released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on May 8, 2018.
Developer Funcom announced the multiplayer barbarian survival game will be leaving Steam Early Access and the Xbox One Game Preview program next year. The PC version will be priced at $39.99, while the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions will cost $49.99.
Conan Exiles has been in early access all year and can currently be purchased on PC for $29.99 and for $49.99 on Xbox One's Game Preview program. Those who purchase the game on PC and Xbox One digitally prior to launch will receive the Conan’s Royal Armor in-game item. Digital pre-orders on PS4 will start at a later and will also include the same in-game item.
Out This Week: PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds on Xbox One, Yooka-Laylee on Switch
With so many new games and movies coming out, it can be hard to keep up. Lucky for you, IGN is here to help with a weekly round-up of the biggest releases each and every week. Check out the latest releases for this week, and be sure to come back next Monday for a new update.
Note: The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.
Why THAT Original Walking Dead Star Finally Left the Show
Warning: Full SPOILERS for The Walking Dead up through Season 8's midseason finale, "How It's Gotta Be."
This week, The Walking Dead pulled the trigger on one of the story's main characters - an O.G. VIP from the start of the show, young Carl Grimes.
Now, Carl's not dead-dead. Not yet, but there's no escaping a walker bite. If it was on his arm or some other cut-offable limb, maybe there'd be a chance, but considering it's on his stomach, and that he's been hiding it for a long while (the bite happened before the events of the episode aired), Carl's fate is sealed. He's going to die.
Detective Pikachu Game Could Finally See Western Release
The Detective Pikachu 3DS game might finally be released outside of Japan.
According to Serebii.net, the game has been rated by the European rating board PEGI. Its current release date, December 31, 2020, is reportedly just a placeholder. Detective Pikachu launched for the 3DS over a year ago in Japan on February 3, 2016.
"Detective Pikachu is on the case! Investigate evidence, question possible witnesses and solve a curious mystery," the game's PEGI 3+ description reads.
The game follows the walking, talking Pikachu teaming up with his human companion Tim Goodman to solve crimes and uncover the mystery of the disappearance of Tim's father. Detective Pikachu's potential upcoming Western release shouldn't be too much of a surprise considering production on the live-action film adaptation is moving full-steam ahead.
Next Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Update Adds Classic Features
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp's next update is adding some classic features next week.
The official Animal Crossing Twitter account announced gardening will be added, allowing players to maintain their own garden patch on their campsite. Another classic series feature coming soon is the ability to craft specific clothing.
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp update. Image via Twitter.
Xbox Controls Detailed for PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
Gamers excited for PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' arrival on Xbox now have an idea of what to expect from the adaptation's controls.
The process of adapting the controls has been called a "challenge", although Microsoft us confident it's found the best balance.
The entire control structure is intended to be as easy to use as possible whilst also allowing players maximum flexibility; as such many buttons have double uses, particularly the standard controls - for example, holding X will reload your weapon whereas tapping X allows you to interact with nearby objects. The directional buttons are allocated as "quick action keys" to allow you to easily shift between grenades and healing items (this is not an area where you want to make a mistake) without having to enter into the inventory page.
Monster Hunter World: New Monsters Will Be Free DLC
Monster Hunter series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto recently announced during a livestream that the latest entry in the series, Monster Hunter World, will receive free updates post-launch. He's now clarified those comments, confirming that additional monsters will be added to the game as DLC, free of charge.
As reported by Siliconera, he made the comments in an interview with Famitsu where he was asked specifically about post-launch content. He clarified that they are planning "new monsters and such" as part of the game's free updates, with the specific goal of ensuring that players will "play for as long as possible".