Microsoft Teases the Return of Battletoads
During the Windows 10 event at GDC 2015, head of ID@Xbox Chris Charla hinted that there may be a future for the classic game series Battletoads.
While speaking about games being played between Windows 10 devices, Charla revealed that the Battletoads would be making an appearance in the recently-announced Xbox One version of Shovel Knight. He then went on to cryptically say "I wonder when we'll see them next?"
This isn't an official announcement, but several hints in the past have pointed to the possibility that Rare's tough-as-nails brawler could be making a comeback to modern platforms. Xbox head Phil Spencer has noted his fondness for them in the past and even sported a Battletoads t-shirt while presenting at the Windows 10 event earlier this year. Additionally, in November 2014 Microsoft filed a trademark for Battletoads, explaining to IGN that this was done "as part of its
Gigantic Headed to Xbox One With Windows 10 Cross-Play Support
Microsoft has partnered with developer Motiga to bring Gigantic to Xbox One, the company announced today during a Windows 10 event at GDC.
The MOBA, RPG, arena shooter hybrid will launch with cross-play support, allowing you to play with Windows 10 PC players if you're on Xbox One, and vice versa.
Gigantic also allows you to use one account across both Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, meaning your progress and in-game purchases will be available on either device at any time.
To learn more, check out IGN's Gigantic preview from earlier this year.
During the event, Microsoft also announced it has teamed up with Frontier Developments to bring Elite: Dangerous to Xbox One.
Zachary Quinto Joins Hannibal: Season 3
Zachary Quinto may not be returning to Heroes, but he has decided to pop up on another NBC series.
Per EW.com, Quinto is set to star on Hannibal, appearing in at least one Season 3 episode. Quinto previosuly worked with Hannibal creator Bryan Fuller, of course, back when Fuller was a writer/producer on Heroes.
Quinto will guest as a patient of Gillian Anderson's Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier. Is he a former patient of Bedelia's or a new one? Details are unknown. Because we've only heard about that one mystery patient who previously attacked Bedelia as a part of Hannibal's manipulation. If Quinto is playing this role, then we could be getting a flashback.
App Store Update: March 4
Every day hundreds of new apps make their debut on the App Store, and hundreds more are updated or reduced in price. We have sifted through the noise and highlighted those select few that might be worth your attention.
Note: The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.
Blood Bowl – ($0.99, Down from $4.99)
This iOS adaptation of Games Workshop's classic tabletop football sim starring a bunch of mutants and monsters went live in the App Store last summer and hasn't had a sale since – until now. 80% off!
John Carmack Talks New Gear VR Release
Today at GDC 2015, Oculus chief technology officer John Carmack took to the stage to talk about the future of mobile VR, including a release for the consumer version of the Gear VR. He also said that there is little difference between the old Gear VR and the updated version for the Galaxy S6.
While not giving anything concrete as far as dates, Carmack said that Samsung does two product release cycles a year, and that the official strategy for Oculus is to go full-consumer on Samsung's next release cycle.
"Oculus is going forward as hard as we can," Carmack said. But he said that the new Gear VR is not "radically different" from the older version. The old version will run with an S6, but Oculus doesn't recommend it as it will heat up too fast.
Oscars May Return to Just 5 Best Picture Nominees
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences might discontinue its current policy of having up to 10 nominees for Best Picture and return to its former policy of only five nominees in that category.
"The potential move, which is being pushed by a significant fraction of the Academy, would be a radical shift for the 6,000-member organization and a tacit acknowledgement that its six-year-old strategy of boosting the number of best picture nominees has failed," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"A large portion of the board has been pushing for the change behind the scenes, arguing that having too many best picture nominees has watered down the prestige of a nomination — without boosting the TV audience for the annual Oscars telecast. This year's Academy Awards broadcast on ABC was down more than 15 percent from last year's, and sources say there is fury among the governors about the quality and length of the show."
HTC Executive ‘Misspoke’ About VR Half-Life
Every once in a while, a little glimmer of hope surfaces for Half-Life fans. Valve just announced its new Source 2 engine, for example, and on Monday the chairwoman of HTC mentioned the company was collaborating with Valve on some type of virtual reality Half-Life game. But as is the case so often with Half-Life rumors, the truth is kind of a let-down.
Speaking to BBC, Cher Wang corrected her apparent mistake, saying HTC was working with Valve on new VR experiences, but not necessarily Half-Life. HTC and Valve recently revealed the Vive virtual reality headset.
Elite: Dangerous Coming to Xbox One
During GDC 2015, Microsoft's Phil Spencer announced Elite Dangerous will be coming to Xbox One this summer.
Microsoft will be once again partnering with Frontier Developments. Previously Frontier and Microsoft worked on Screamride, which launched just this week.
Spencer didn't give any other details about the game, such as price. The space sprawling simulator came out on PC at the end of last year.
In our review, we gave Elite: Dangerous a 7.4 on PC, saying that the gorgeous game contained a lot in the way of variety, but suffered from long patches of monotony.
Prime Free Game: A Story About My Uncle
IGN Prime has partnered with Coffee Stain Studios to give away 20,000 Steam copies of A Story About My Uncle to IGN Prime members during the month of March.
Search for your lost uncle in this first-person adventure platformer as you explore a wondrous and colorful world. Your suit is equipped with rocket boots and a grapple beam, which are your only assets as you traverse through caverns and over chasms. Soar through this mysterious world as you uncover secrets and learn about the fate of your uncle.
Codes will be released every week in March, with the first batch available now. We have heard your feedback, and to better accommodate our international friends, we will be staggering the release time each week:
Independence Day 2 Casts Actor as Will Smith’s Son
Jessie Usher, star of the Lebron James-produced Survivor's Remorse, has been cast in Independence Day 2 as the son of Will Smith's character from the original film. Smith is not expected to return for the sequel to the 1996 hit.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smith's on-screen son will be a "central character" in the upcoming sequel. Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games) has also been cast in a lead role.
Jeff Goldblum will reprise his role from the original film, while Independence Day director-producer Roland Emmerich and producer Dean Devlin will also return.