When J.K. Rowling really doubled down on her transphobic and highly controversial stock of opinions in 2022, it didn’t bode well for the Wizarding World franchise which hadn’t tasted true success since the eighth Harry Potter film. But evidently, it completely failed to derail a particular offshoot of the franchise.
I am definitely not talking about the Fantastic Beasts films, which died a slow, painful-to-watch death last year with Secrets of Dumbledore, even though a few of its stars did distance themselves from the author. Though the films had problems of their own, which ranged from poor plot lines to Ezra Miller, Rowling attending the premiere of the 2022 film majorly served to hasten the boycott of the film. Thus, amid the whole Rowling fiasco, the then-not-supposed-to-be-the-last-film became the tombstone of the Fantastic Beasts.
But not Hogwarts Legacy, the open-world action RPG that takes place in the world Rowling crafted for spinning the story of the Boy Who Lived.
But obviously, Warner Bros. Games doing its best to vehemently stress Rowling’s non-association with Hogwarts Legacy andthe constant reminders that even her shadow didn’t touch the creation game worked its magic as January 2024 confirms the game broke a big record that had been in place since 2009 — that, too, by pushing the ones who have been keeping the record alive to the sidelines.
For 14 long years, either a Call of Duty game or a Rockstar Games’ contender won the title of the best-selling game of a respective year. In fact, Call of Duty games have almost always topped the list, apart from the two times a Rockstar Games title dethroned it. But now, as per data provided by Circana, Hogwarts Legacy has emerged as the clear winner of 2023 as the best-selling game — on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch ports, PS5, PC versions, and more — that bested the mighty Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Hogwarts Legacy, which sold a solid 22 million copies by the end of 2023 after being played for a total of 707 million hours, has also won Best Game on Steam Deck. The massively positive feedback for the game has the developers planning a proper Potterverse video game world, with more additions like Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions.
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Selling a staggering 117 million units over the span of a decade has turned the PlayStation 4 into one of the most successful game consoles in history.
Sony owes a great deal of that success to a string of exclusive, highly-acclaimed titles that steadily made their way to the market during PlayStation 4’s lifetime. What may have initially started as a series of lukewarm games with no real vision (e.g. The Order 1886, inFAMOUS Second Son, Killzone Shadow Fall) soon turned into a maelstrom of hype for the Japanese entertainment company through projects like Bloodborne and Uncharted 4.
Some of these have since claimed spots in the list of the best games of all time, often ending with aggregated Metacritic scores of 90 and above. So, in case you’ve missed out on what could arguably be one of the greatest console generations in the medium’s history, or just wish to reminisce about the good old days, here are the top 10 PS4 exclusives ranked from worst to best.
10. Death Stranding (2019)
Death Stranding might be a bit of a controversial choice. I never met a fellow gamer who was mildly entertained by Hideo Kojima’s latest game. You either love Death Stranding with all your heart, or you hate it with a fiery passion. To those who love this title, Death Stranding is a gaming experience unlike any other. To those who hate it, it can be little more than a “walking simulator.” If you find yourself among the ranks of the former, however, you probably think that Death Stranding is one of the most innovative games out there. And hey, you’re probably right.
9. Horizon Zero Dawn (2017)
I found my time playing Horizon Zero Dawn to be incredibly frustrating. At first glance, this will come off as just another generic open-world action-adventure title. You know, the kind that companies like Ubisoft churn out these days regularly without breaking stride. But if you give it just a little more time, then Zero Dawn’s brilliance will begin to dawn on you, and you’ll get addicted to its incredibly versatile combat and electrifying boss battles.
8. The Last Guardian (2016)
This 2016 title from Fumito Ueda certainly deserves all the praise it receives and then some. Many in the industry cite Ueda as a huge influence on their craft, and it would be no overstatement to suggest that his work style reminds us of the conventional auteur types in other mediums like cinema. The Last Guardian comes on the heels of Shadow of the Colossus, which is one of the most artistic games in history. The title was initially supposed to come out on PlayStation 3, but the infamously difficult hardware compelled Ueda and the rest of Team Ico to push it back and target PlayStation 4.
7. Ghost of Tsushima (2020)
If word of mouth and player reception are anything to go by, Ghost of Tsushima is probably among the top 3 successful PlayStation launches over the past decade. The story of Tsushima might feel undistinguished at times, but the gameplay and satisfying combat more than make up for it in the long run. Besides, the ending packs a heavy emotional punch, lifting the characters up considerably. And so, I’d say with some measure of certainty that Ghost of Tsushima is definitely one of the best PlayStation 4 games out there. At the very least, it’s among the foremost to scratch that Samurai itch for you.
6. Uncharted 4 (2016)
The story of the legendary Nathan Drake comes to a conclusive and satisfying conclusion in this troubled fourth installment in the Uncharted franchise. Troubled because Naughty Dog went through hell and back to make it work in time after Amy Hennig left the project, with Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley coming in to pick up the pieces in 2014 and attempt to release a functioning game by 2016. Uncharted 4 is a technical marvel, and the somewhat overhauled level design works exceptionally well in the context of the franchise’s former outings.
5. Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)
After years of speculation and hearsay, Final Fantasy VII Remake was unveiled to the world during Sony’s 2015 E3 press conference, turning that 90-minute showcase into one of the most memorable moments in the history of the retired expo. There was simply too much hype floating on the wings of Final Fantasy VII and its legacy as one of the most influential games of all time, but Square Enix ended up delivering on the improbably high expectations and turning the remake into one of the most acclaimed titles in the eighth generation.
4. Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)
Spider-Man is no stranger to the interactive medium thanks to a string of successful adaptations across the years, but none of them have managed to capture the spirit of what makes the character and his superpowers fun in a video game as much as this 2018 PlayStation 4 exclusive by Insomniac does. Move across New York City, web your enemies up, and relieve the tale of the friendly neighborhood webhead. And if you’re not satisfied by then, then the two sequels, Miles Morales and Spider-Man 2, will continue to build on the first game and deliver an even more impeccable experience.
3. Bloodborne (2015)
In many ways, Bloodborne was the first proper console exclusive in the eighth generation. After two years of uncertain releases casting a long shadow over the prospects of these new, burgeoning consoles, FromSoftware came forward with another banger and shattered industry expectations. Bloodborne is not just a great PS4 game; it is among the best video games in history. Our only regret is that after almost 8 years, Sony or FromSoftware have shown no interest in a PC port or a remaster. A very perplexing disinclination in and of itself, especially when talking about a medium that’s currently so engrossed with the idea of re-releasing with a fresh coat of paint any older game it can get its hands on.
2. God of War (2018)
2018’s God of War was a complete reinvention of Kratos both as a video game protagonist and a character. Santa Monica embarks on a journey across the Nine Realms in Norse Mythology and gives the series’ titular God of War a new mantle as a father. You once again get to meet gods, battle heroes of myth, and alter the fate of the entire world, all wrapped in a blanket of neatly trimmed iconic moments and addictive gameplay loops. Some might describe God of War’s level design as outdated, but we have another word for it, and that is “precise.”
1. The Last of Us Part II (2020)
As one of the most controversial game releases in history, The Last of Us Part II is an odd and baffling enigma, but no one could rightly deny that it’s an absolute masterclass in gameplay design and craftsmanship. Even after three years, you’d not have an easy time of it trying to find games that push the envelope in technical terms like The Last of Us Part II does, and for that reason alone, the folk at Naughty Dog deserve all the praise we could heap on them. And here’s the thing; even the story and characterization are laudable for their meticulous sharpness and emotional potency. I know admitting as much will earn you a burning at the stake in certain communities, yet I’m still willing to die on this hill. But that, as they say, is a whole different conversation.
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A fresh hero is coming to League of Legends this year, fulfilling a longtime promise from devs.
LoL fans have been eagerly awaiting Smolder, a charming dragon champion, since he was first announced. He’ll serve as the first new champion of season 14, and Riot Games is hinting that his release is coming our way sooner than expected. Despite varying degrees of appreciation for Smolder — because, apparently, even dragons get cyber bullied — the fandom is very much looking forward to the tiny, spunky little dragon’s big debut.
When will Smolder be available in League of Legends?
Smolder’s presence as the first new champion of season 14 essentially guarantees that he’ll join League of Legends‘ stacked ranks early in 2024. Riot Games has confirmed as much, informing fans of the longstanding multiplayer title that Smolder will make his official debut with with patch 14.3, which — according to Riot’s planned patch schedule — should be arriving on Feb. 7.
Its important to note that patch release schedules change all the time, and for a variety of reasons, so this timeline should be taken with a grain of salt. There are also a range of varying reports on the release date, ranging from a late January release to the slightly later February release. If it falls on the earlier end, players could be enjoying Smolder’s debut by the time January comes to a close, but its only an additional week if the later timeline is more accurate. Either way, Smolder should be joining the ranks of League of Legends favorites by the time Valentine’s Day hits.
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In the 1990s Sony was already riding high on the success of the PlayStation, but at the turn of the millennium, they went stratospheric with the all-conquering PlayStation 2. This powerful and elegantly designed console is, as of writing, still the highest-selling games console of all time, with an incredible 155 million units sold over its lifetime.
The Nintendo Switch may yet snatch that crown over the next few years, but however you slice it the PlayStation 2 is a truly historic platform in video-gaming history. And with that success came an avalanche of incredible games.
Between 2000 and 2015 there were 3421 titles released on PlayStation 2 in all territories. Here are the 10 best (according to me anyway).
10. Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution (2005)
Sorry Namco fans, but my pick for the fighting game genre on PS2 is Sega’s hugely underrated Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution. This was a polished and updated version of the 2002’s Virtua Fighter 4, rebalancing the game, adding a tonne of new content, new characters, and updated graphics.
One of the most novel features was a single-player “Tournament Quest” mode that saw you visiting arcades in which you fight CPU characters based on the playstyles of top real-life players. This was alarmingly addictive stuff, and Tekken would go on to add a suspiciously similar feature in its fifth entry.
9. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (2001)
Neversoft had already nailed the skating game formula with THPS2 on PlayStation, but refined the formula once again with the impeccable third entry in the series. The most notable gameplay addition is the revert, which lets you link together vertical tricks. That, in combination with complex and detailed levels, a buttery smooth frame-rate, some very cool bonus characters, and an amazing score makes this a must-play
Now, how about that remaster for modern consoles?
8. Amplitude (2003)
Gonna raise some eyebrows with this one, but Harmonix’ Amplitude really is that good. This sequel to Frequency takes that rhythm action gameplay and expands it, with the soundtrack featuring David Bowie, Pink, Garbage, Herbie Hancock, Run DMC, and Blink 182. As with many great games, it’s easy to pick up and difficult to master, and Harmonix would go on to use it as the basis for the all-conquering Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises.
7. Gran Turismo 4 (2004)
Polyphony Digital reliably push consoles to their limits, and 2004’s Gran Turismo 4 is about as good as a PS2 game can look. On top of the improved graphics there’s also hugely improved physics, a crew chief “B-Spec” mode in which you manage an AI racer, tonnes of “Driving Missions,” and the extreme attention to detail that’s defined Gran Turismo.
With the right kit you can even crank this up to a 1080i resolution with progressive scan and widescreen aspect ratio, resulting in a game that would look at home on future generations.
6. Ico (2001)
Team Ico’s Shadow of the Colossus is probably better known these days, but actually recommending it to modern players on its original hardware is a big ask due to its lumbering frame-rate. Anyway, for my money its predecessor Ico is the better game.
This minimalist adventure sees you play an unnamed horned child tossed into a foreboding castle. You soon encounter an ethereal girl named Yorda and try to escape. A game that’s effectively a full-length escort mission sounds like a nightmare, but Ico makes it work. The sun-dappled castle with its weathered rocks is still an incredible location, the focused plot has a nice dose of ambiguity, and you will almost immediately become attached to Yorda. It’s a stunning achievement.
5. Final Fantasy X (2001)
From Final Fantasy VII onwards the franchise became indelibly associated with PlayStation, with the tenth entry taking full advantage of the more powerful PS2 hardware. Many environments were now fully 3D and rendered in exquisite detail and the DVD format allowed for extensive voice-acting.
All that brings an epic fantasy romance to life. The story is focused, the characters are distinctive, the soundtrack is excellent, and I love the tropical setting. Final Fantasy XII is also a great PS2 game, but X will always have a special place in my heart.
4. God of War II (2007)
Arriving at the tail-end of the console’s lifespan, God of War II pushes the PS2’s hardware as far as it could possibly go. Building on the solid foundations of 2005’s God of War, Kratos’ sophomore adventure is bigger, louder, and more destructive in every possible way. Special shout-out to the opening mission in which you battle the Colossus of Rhodes, which the PS2 has no business rendering so well.
3. Silent Hill 2 (2001)
You have to feel sorry for Silent Hill fans. Since 2001 they’ve been chasing the same high as Silent Hill 2 and (while Silent Hill 3 came close) there’s nothing quite on this level in the horror genre. Team Silent were truly firing on all cylinders when it came to telling James Sunderland’s psychologically intense search for his wife in an abandoned town. A true PS2 masterpiece. Here’s hoping the impending remake does it justice.
2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
Speaking of absurdly ambitious games… In 2001 Grand Theft Auto III changed gaming forever and became a must-have PS2 title. 2002’s Vice City continued that hot streak with a bigger and brighter city, but in 2004 San Andreas blew the doors off.
The sprawling adventure took place over an entire state, featuring three distinct cities modeled after Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas and contained a ludicrous amount of content. At 17.3 million copies sold it’s the single highest-selling PS2 release and very much deserves its crown.
1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Choosing whether I should add Metal Gear Solid 2 or 3 to this list was a Sophie’s Choice moment. Both titles are in my top 5 of all time but, with a heavy heart, I have to leave Raiden’s fourth-wall bustin’ capers out in favor of the all-time great Snake Eater.
Yet another PS2 technical masterpiece, this survival-focused cold war adventure evolves the Metal Gear gameplay in every direction. Stealth is completely revamped, the food system is incredibly deep, and the bonkers story hits you in the feels, while also containing a man covered in bees who fires bees at you. I can’t think of a better PlayStation 2 game.
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Things are looking bleak for artists at the moment, and a situation unfolding over at Magic: The Gathering‘s parent company Wizards of the Coast is a solid example of why.
The basics go something like this: In a new age of artificial intelligence, Wizards of the Coast has been steadfast in their assertion that none of their products will be A.I. generated. That promise came into question recently when a series of promotional images for the company’s “Ravnica Remastered” card set looked, to fans, not quite right.
Wizards of the Coast’s critical miss
I guess the whole ad campaign was made with A/I generated imagery, then retouched to give it a semblance of man-made craft. pic.twitter.com/St5bXhcXfu
Responding to internet complaints that the backgrounds in the company’s promotional images had a lot of the hallmarks of A.I.-generated art, Wizards of the Coast released a since-deleted statement on X, promising that, like everything they produced, their promotional art was made by people. Real people. The kinds with arteries and pets and stuff.
Longtime Magic: The Gathering artist David Rapoza was one of several big names in the industry who put their foot down. Replying to the company’s post, Rapoza disagreed with the claim that WotC just happened to hire an artist who drew things in a way that looks a lot like A.I.-generated art.
And just like that, poof, I’m done working for wizards of the coast – you can’t say you stand against this then blatantly use AI to promote your products, emails sent, good bye you all! https://t.co/RAfJi5NhxR
Since Rapoza’s public exit from the company, Wizards of the Coast has stepped back its claims regarding the authenticity of their purportedly man-made promo images, posting on January 7 that they’d “made a mistake earlier” and that “…some AI components that are now popping up in industry-standard tools like Photoshop crept into our marketing creative.” They pointed out that the work had been purchased from a vendor, and promised that they were “evaluating” the way that they worked with contractors.
Well, we made a mistake earlier when we said that a marketing image we posted was not created using AI. Read on for more. (1/5)
AI-generated art is, at best, ethically gray, as it’s created through the amalgamation and reconstruction of pre-existing work. This is around the point in the proceedings where aspiring philosophy majors like to point out that all art is just a reimagining of pre-existing data. Aspiring philosophy majors don’t get invited out very often.
Complicating matters further is the fact that A.I. artwork can be difficult to spot, and can slip through the cracks of the production process pretty easily, as may or may not have happened when Wizards of the Coast announced their 2024 Player’s Handbook by posting a picture of a dwarf with a lower-than-average number of arms.
We may never know exactly what happened with the creation of this image, though companies being raked over the coals by unhappy fans for using A.I. generated art is something we’re going to see much more of this year. So, if you’re in marketing, want to knock up a quick image and figure you can take a shortcut, maybe consider just paying an artist.
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Way back in the ancient days of 1991, Nintendo released a revolutionary new console, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It was Nintendo’s second home console in America, following the breakout success of the OG Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985.
While the NES was an 8-bit gaming system (it used an 8-bit microprocessor as its central processing unit), the SNES was double the power at 16-bit. It had better graphics and sound than its predecessor and was the most advanced home console of all time at launch.
There are a lot of great games on the system and it can be hard to single out just a few, but here are our picks for the 11 best SNES games:
11. Street Fighter II Turbo
We know Street Fighter as a fighting game institution covering a huge number of titles, but this iteration is an absolute gem. From Sagat screaming “Tiger Punch” to skinny Dhalsim and his “yoga flame” mantra, Street Fighter II Turbo was the ultimate fighting game in the golden era of the genre.
Was it better than Mortal Kombat? Yes.
10. Contra III: The Alien Wars
Contra III had big shoes to fill. The original Contra on the NES was already iconic by the time the SNES came out. Somehow, Konami delivered another classic. This game had it all: motorcycle levels, top-down levels and gruesome firefights pushing the SNES’s Mode 7 capabilities.
It was also incredibly difficult. That made beating this monstrous game all the more satisfying in the end.
9. Super Castlevania IV
Castlevania had three titles on the NES before this beloved platformer made its way to the SNES. It continued the story of the Belmont clan and their life’s mission of destroying Dracula. This was an early graphical showcase for the system, features classic levels like the clock tower, and requires a dexterity that few possess.
While it had its flaws, it was a huge step forward in a franchise that would eventually peak with Symphony of the Night on the Playstation – a game that all other games of its ‘Metroidvana’ type are measured by.
8. Mega Man X
Mega Man X effectively invented the cinematic tutorial level that we see in so many games today. Its first stage introduces you to its futuristic world while showing off the detailed and colorful graphics the SNES was capable of.
It was packed with secrets and power-ups that you didn’t need to get but helped so much when you did. Unfortunately, after an amazing run on the NES, this was pretty much Mega Man‘s peak.
There was that JRPG on the PlayStation and there are countless Battle Network games and spinoffs, but nothing quite captured the lightning in the bottle that X did. This one doesn’t show its age. Classics are classics for a reason.
7. Super Mario Kart
Mario Kart 8 on the Nintendo Switch is one of the best-selling video games of all time, but it wouldn’t exist had it not been for this quirky little go-kart game on the SNES. It featured, for the first time, all of the Mario characters facing off head to head in races around familiar-looking locales from Mario games.
The formula has been tweaked over the years but the base of what makes the game so much fun was captured wonderfully in this little beauty. Always look for shortcuts!
6. Super Mario World
Super Mario World had huge shoes to fill after Super Mario Bros. 3 revolutionized platforming games for the previous generation, but this is Nintendo firing on all cylinders.
Shigeru Miyamoto and his team took their winning formula and expanded it in every direction. No need to break something that works, right? With better graphics and new power-ups, including the ability to ride Yoshi for the first time, this classic offered heart-pounding, challenging fun.
5. Secret of Mana
One of the things the SNES did exceptionally well in its generation was JRPGs. Secret of Mana was made by Square, who back then had a reputation for making the world’s best JRPGs in the business.
The game tells a timeless story with some of the most sweeping and beautiful music of its day. In addition, it wasn’t turn-based, so the action moved quickly, and it featured the novelty of having an extender that allowed three players to play at once. The game’s story was so well-crafted it could bring you to tears.
4. Donkey Kong Country
Before Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong was basically a Nintendo C-lister. He was a character they used as a foil to Mario way back in Nintendo’s arcade days, but Donkey Kong Country changed all that. It brought the fearless ape to the forefront with his own incredible platformer.
We got introduced to a whole new slew of characters in the Donkey Kong universe, ones that still pop up all the time today. The graphics were incredible and the music seemed to float in the middle of the air. Didn’t hurt that it was also really, really fun to play.
3. Chrono Trigger
Neck and neck with Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger is Square’s ultimate masterpiece of the era. This gets the pick because it’s almost flawless. It has so much variety, heart and lore that it could be a Tolkien novel. It somehow made time traveling not a trope, but a true character in the story.
Every generation should get a chance to experience this incredible adventure.
2. Super Metroid
Super Metroid begins with a fully powered-up Samus making her way through a space fortress to eventually meet Ridley, a fearsome winged beast. Once she defeats him, a countdown begins and she has to make her way out of the building very fast, or die. Games just didn’t start like that!
After losing her powers she made her way through a tough adventure on an alien world to uncover ancient lore and take on the fearful Mother Brain and the several different types of Metroids, along with Space Pirates. The first Metroid was a plucky little game but this one changed Samus into an all-time icon.
1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Every generation has its favorite iteration of The Legend of Zelda, and A Link to the Past used every bit of processing power the SNES could muster to deliver a cinematic masterpiece pitting Link against Ganon as he tries to save not one but two kingdoms.
It was so innovative in the way it progressed, and its puzzles could get you stuck for weeks. There was no part of the game that was boring, and it featured surprise after surprise, like how you think you’ve finished it but all of a sudden you’re in a bizarro upside-down world that has a ton of new dungeons.
Play it if you’ve never played it, it hasn’t aged a day.
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You know it, I know it, He Who Remains at his Citadel at the End of Time knows it, so let’s just say it up front. Jonathan Majors is officially out of the MCU, with Marvel announcing the news pretty much immediately after he was charged on two counts of harassment and assault.
The big question now is what happens to the Multiverse Saga without its big bad, but while we await news on what’s next for Marvel’s future, fans are instead turning back to the MCU’s past to scrutinize other actors’ misdeeds.
Marvel ending the Kang Dynasty early casts fresh light on the legal drama of other MCU actors
Image via Marvel Studios
In the wake of Majors’ firing due to his guilty verdict, shocking secrets — or, at least, things many of us had completely forgotten about — of other Marvel stars’ pasts have re-emerged. For instance, details on former MCU big bad Josh “Thanos” Brolin’s prior arrest and the fact that Terrence Howard — probably the most notably recast Marvel actor prior to Majors — also has an unsavory history of domestic violence. And, on the Avengers’ side themselves, allegations against Jeremy Renner by his ex-wife are well-circulated at this point. The MCU unfortunately has a fair few skeletons, hanging up next to the super-suits, in its closet.
Sony’s plans to expand its other Spider-Man universe revealed way too soon thanks to alarming data leak
Image via Insomniac Games
While webheads the world over eagerly await Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4 and Beyond the Spider-Verse, Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man universe is going from strength to strength. And, although we’ve come by this information by unsettling means, it’s exciting to find out that the developer has plans for this universe for the rest of the decade, in its own MCU-like franchise expansion. Due to Insomniac being hit by a ransomware attack and failing to pay up, all its secrets have been dumped online, including the many other Spider-Man games in the works, including a spinoff for Venom and a multiverse-themed threequel. We’re thrilled by the information, but appalled by how we came by it. It’s like being made to open a Christmas present at gunpoint.
With Jonathan Majors out, can we expect an X-Men movie before 2030?
Screenshot via 20th Century Fox
Here’s some food for thought. Another major revelation from the Insomniac leaks reveals that Marvel’s Wolverine game, which we already knew about, is intended to be eventually followed up by a Marvel’s X-Men title that is tentatively scheduled to release in 2030. Obviously, this is an entirely different medium and franchise from the MCU, but the timing of this is intriguing as 2030 delivering Marvel Studios’ own X-Men reboot would fit with those rumors of the Mutant Saga taking place after Secret Wars concludes the Multiverse Saga in 2027. Although, of course, with Majors gone, it’s just about possible the Mutant Saga could kick off early.
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James McCaffrey, known for the unmistakable voice of Max Payne, has passed away at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer.
McCaffrey appeared in dozens of television shows and films in a career spanning three decades, and you have probably seen him occasionally pop up in a number of them over the years, but his most memorable performance was in the Max Payne video game series. He even lent Rockstar his own likeness for the third game, further immortalizing his reputation in the gaming community.
McCaffrey had been battling cancer, but he regretfully passed away on December 18 surrounded by his family and friends. Sam Lake, the director of Remedy Entertainment and the creative who worked in close association with McCaffrey to develop Max Payne’s character, took to Twitter/X to share a sincere tribute.
“I’m heartbroken to hear the sad news of James McCaffrey’s passing. We worked together for more than 25 years. He was a lovely man and a dear friend. He was a key part of the Remedy family. He was a brilliant actor. No one could do what he did better than him,” Lake wrote.
Sam Lake and James McCaffrey in the studio together / Image via Sam Lake on X (Twitter)
McCaffrey was born in 1958 in Albany, New York. His first acting gigs included several romantic comedies, namely The Truth About Cats & Dogs, Nick and Jane, and Coming Soon. He began his video game voice acting career in 2001 with the first Max Payne game and followed that up with Max Payne 2, Alone in the Dark, and finally, Alan Wake. He also appeared in the third Max Payne game by Rockstar and provided motion capture for the gun-toting titular protagonist. McCaffrey reunited with Sam Lake and Remedy in 2019 for Control, and later for Alan Wake II as mentioned above.
Earlier today, actor Kevin Dillon shared an image on Instagram announcing the news, but since McCaffrey’s death coincided with the tragic passing of a teenager with the same name in Ireland, people were unsure what to make of the news, and whether it was a mistake. Later in the day, TMZ confirmed the news via a representative, who explained that McCaffrey had been battling multiple myeloma.
Rest in peace, James McCaffrey. There won’t be a Max Payne without you.
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In the run-up to the much-anticipated Superman: Legacy finally going before cameras, James Gunn is trying his hardest right now to get the intel on his DCU reboot under control. For instance, did you hear Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Pom Klementieff was in the movie? Well, you shouldn’t have because she isn’t.
Unfortunately another major leak has hit the DC multimedia multiverse that Gunn can’t do anything about. With DC taking a year off from releasing any big-screen outings due to the new DC Studios chief developing his own universe, the biggest DC title dropping in 2024 has to be Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. With a title like that and the fact it’s a sequel to the ultra-popular Arkhamverse, hype for this one has been through the roof ever since it was announced in 2020.
And yet a fresh batch of leaks have emerged that are threatening to kill the enthusiasm for the game stone dead, in a myriad ways. For starters, alleged leak art appears to confirm that both Poison Ivy and Joker, both dead by the end of Arkham Knight, are resurrected in the new game. A little unfortunate that it’s undoing their prior demises, but hey, this is DC, where nobody stays dead for long.
Image via Rocksteady Studios
Unfortunately, the treatment of a beloved favorite who sadly is about to make their final ever appearance is what’s really ticking fans off. Despite a big hint sitting right there in the title, further images reveal that Task Force X will indeed succeed in murdering the League. Specifically, Batman. The Dark Knight will be voiced in the game by none other than voice acting legend Kevin Conroy, making this his last posthumous role as the hero following his passing in 2022. The fact that this is how this legend of Batman media is going out is not going down all that well.
But how does this affect Gunn’s ambitious upcoming plans for the DCU? On Threads, Gunn let slip that the Arkhamverse will continue — “No plans of it being the last!” he posted in response to fans inquiring about Suicide Squad ending the franchise… before swiftly deleting it. Clearly, then, the Arkhamverse is one of those rare brands that will be allowed to exist outside of the DCU, like The Batman and Joker movies. Remember, other upcoming games are set to be part of DCU canon.
With Gunn putting his weight behind this controversial new game, much as he did the equally divisive The Flash earlier this year, the filmmaker might be getting a reputation for backing DC media that people claim ruined their childhoods. So Superman: Legacy really has its work cut out in proving to one and all that the keys to the DC kingdom are in safe hands.
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Hades 2 is the hotly anticipated sequel to one of the greatest games ever made, so what can we expect from it when it arrives sometime in the near future?
During his journey, Zagreus meets many iconic characters from Greek mythology and concludes each run by successfully reaching the world’s surface and facing his father Hades. If killed, Zagreus is returned to the starting point in his father’s office and has to go through all three levels of the Underworld again. The sequel, meanwhile, promises to take that highly acclaimed and incredibly addictive formula from the first game and introduce us to Melinoë, the princess of the Underworld and Zagreus’ sister. So, let’s review what we’ve learned about it thus far.
What is the story of Hades 2?
via Supergiant Games
One would think that with the family now happily reunited, the Underworld’s troubling shenanigans would finally be over. But apparently, the gods of Olympus face a much more dangerous enemy this time around. Chronos, the Titan of Time, has escaped his imprisonment and now wages war against the pantheon. Hades himself has been captured, and Melinoe has to rely on the help of the remaining gods to get back into her father’s realm and challenge Chronos.
New and returning characters for this sequel include Hecate (Goddess of Witchcraft), Moros (Doom Incarnate), Dora (Listless Shade), Nemesis (Retribution Incarnate), Apollo (God of Light), and Chronos himself. Hades and Zeus are also present, though it’s still unclear if Zagreus will make a comeback.
Is there a trailer for Hades 2?
There’s indeed a trailer for Hades 2, introducing you to Melinoe and what you can expect from Zagreus’ badass sister. The first minute is an epic duel between Melinoe and the master training her to take on the story’s big bad. You can also glimpse the level design, which appears to be taking the players into other unexplored areas of the Underworld. Melinoe’s weapons include a strange staff that gives her magical powers and a khopesh dagger she dual-wields in combat.
When does Hades 2 come out?
via Supergiant Games
Supergiant Games has yet to announce a release date for Hades 2, but we do know that an Early Access version is being planned for 2024. In a blog post published on September 14, the studio announced that Steam and Epic Games Store will host an Early Access release in the second quarter of 2024, meaning that you could get your hands on Hades 2 anywhere between three to six months.
There’s also going to be a “technical test” with a limited number of players to flesh out the incompatibility issues, implying that the game’s development is almost finished at this point. And though gamers have learned the hard way that smoothing out the rough edges could take years, we still remain hopeful for a proper release in 2025.
Will Hades 2 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X?
via Supergiant Games
Game studios, especially indie devs, have traditionally relied on Steam or the PC platform in general to test the waters via Early Access. So the fact that Hades 2 is also following in the footsteps of its predecessor is no indicator that the game won’t come out on current-gen consoles. That being said, the first title certainly took a sweet while to do so, releasing almost a year later on the consoles, so perhaps Hades 2 will also prioritize platforms in the same manner.
What’s more, we don’t know if Hades 2 will come out on last-gen consoles. More demanding games have already forsaken PS4 and Xbox One (and even Nintendo Switch, if that was ever a contender) in favor of their more powerful current-gen counterparts, but since we don’t really expect Supergiant Games to push the franchise’s visual fidelity with the upcoming follow-up — I mean, the game’s trailer certainly doesn’t give us a reason to think that — Hades 2 is probably making its way to the older hardware as well. Eventually.
At any rate, that’s all we know about the much-awaited Supergiant sequel, but stay tuned for more updates soon.
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A24 have a hard-won reputation for weird and surreal horror, but even their fans are going to be tested by Death Stranding. The newly announced movie sees the studio teaming up with legendary game designer Hideo Kojima for a film based on the world seen in his critically acclaimed 2019 game of the same name.
So, what should we expect from a live-action Death Stranding movie?
What is Death Stranding?
Hoo boy this is going to take a hot minute. Death Stranding is set in a post-apocalyptic world struggling to recover from a cataclysmic event (the titular Death Stranding) that “blurred the boundaries between life and death”. Among other things this means that rain is now “timefall” that rapidly ages anything it touches, meaning the surviving humans remain within bunkers sealed away from the world outside.
Even if rain didn’t kill you, the landscape is teeming with invisible murderous ghosts (BTs) that can only be detected by unborn fetuses extracted from the wombs of brain-dead mothers. These “Bridge Babies” live in simulated wombs you must carry about in order not to be eaten by ghosts.
Naturally, this is going to translate into solid Hollywood gold.
In the game, you play as Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus) a deliveryman transporting supplies and equipment across the ruins of the United States. Along the way he encounters characters played by Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, and Margaret Qualley, underlining Kojima’s inclination to put big names into this games. And, trust me, things get weird!
What will the movie be like?
In the announcement Kojima underlined that this project “is not just a direct translation of the game” and that he and A24 are setting out to create “a Death Stranding universe.” This almost certainly means that this movie will be an entirely new story set in the Death Stranding world, which may or may not feature characters and locations from the game.
Kojima is also developing Death Stranding 2 at the moment, so perhaps this movie will dovetail into that new story.
Release window
Death Stranding has only just been announced so it’s early days for the project yet. That said, the world is already established, Kojima doubtless has a firm creative vision for the movie, and A24 tend not to waste time before getting things into production.
Even so, we’d be surprised to see Death Stranding on the big screen before 2026, or late 2025 at the very earliest. More on this extremely cool-sounding movie as we hear it.
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Deadpool 3 has a lot of bells and whistles, what with its many rumored crossovers and cameos, but let’s be honest: its real USP is the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Even more significant than Ryan Reynolds entering the MCU, a new adventure for everyone’s favorite X-Man is what we’re all really waiting for.
So that’s why it’s rather unfortunate for the movie — Marvel’s only one coming in 2024, don’t forget — that its big selling point is being stolen right under its nose thanks to an unsavory development in a whole other medium.
As those eagerly awaiting more Marvel games after Spider-Man 2 are probably aware, Insomniac is busy developing Marvel’s Wolverine, which — well, read the title, work out what it’s about. Given the long time frame game development takes, there was never any competition between these two titles originally, with the Wolverine game surely releasing long after DP3 is out of theaters. Except a hacking scandal has threatened to steal the threequel’s thunder.
Marvel’s Wolverine art and character details could be up for grabs in a $2 million data auction
Image via Marvel Comics
As originally broken by CyberDaily, Insomniac is facing an alarming breach of security that rivals the time Weapon X Wolverine sliced his way through Alkali Lake in X-Men: Apocalypse. Hacker group Rhysida has allegedly acquired screenshots and character art from the game thanks to a ransomware attack, which spoils various plot details and many of the fan-favorite characters set to be included. A data auction is ready to go, launching with a starting price of 50 bitcoin (aka $2 million). The studio has been given seven days in which to respond.
“We are aware of reports that Insomniac Games has been the victim of a cyber security attack,” Sony said in a statement to IGN. “We are currently investigating this situation. We have no reason to believe that any other SIE or Sony divisions have been impacted.”
Depending on how this situation plays out, all you need to know about Marvel’s Wolverine could leak online much sooner than anticipated. And Ryan Reynolds thought he had problems when set photos started doing the rounds on social media…
Marvel’s Wolverine hack puts Deadpool 3 set photo leaks into perspective
Photo via Marvel Studios
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard the words “Wolverine” and “leak” used together lately, of course, as Deadpool 3 has seen its own secrets shared ahead of time. Thankfully, in this case it’s a lot less sinister. With the movie filming again out on location in the U.K. following the strikes holding it up for months, naturally set photos have emerged online. Photos that, just like the Marvel’s Wolverine hack, reveal certain characters we can expect to see that we shouldn’t know about yet.
Reynolds has taken the leaks in good spirits, politely requesting that fans not sharing them, as well as attempting to obscure the true ones from the fakes in his own unique way — by sharing images of Deadpool and Wolverine hanging out with a Predator and Mickey Mouse. This sort of thing is just par for the course, then, and only really succeeds in raising hype for what we’ve got ahead of us. The Marvel’s Wolverine situation, however, is much more serious and could ruin the hard work of Insomniac’s developers if things go south.
Deadpool 3 comes to theaters on May 3, 2024.
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Bugs and broken promises might be common place in games these days, but Redfall,Lord of the Rings – Gollum, Counter Strike 2 have nothing on The Day Before.
If you’re one of the thousands of buyers feeling scammed by FNTASTIC studios; The Day Before, rest easy knowing you’re not alone. After five years in development, the title was released on 7 December to abysmal reviews, furious fans, and scores so low they made rock bottom look good.
After overwhelmingly negative reviews blasting the alpha for broken promises, minimal UI, and terrible multiplayer game design took over the site, Steam pulled the game from its store. Just 4 days after launch FNTASTIC has declared bankruptcy and the dredges of the company are working with Steam to refund players.
How to get a refund for The Day Before
Somehow, despite a slew of bad press ranging from stolen assets, direct copies of other game trailers, and multiple delays, FNTASTIC’s final release managed to sell more than $200,000 games. Those gamers suckered in by false promises are out nearly $40, but luckily Steam has a 2 hours, 2 weeks return policy that they are likely more than happy to honor – even if you managed to slog through more than 2 hours of the title.
To start your return, log into Steam and head to the “Help” tab at the top of the page (you can also go to Steam Help). Scroll down to “Purchases” and select The Day Before. Under the “What issue are you having” section, select “I would like a refund.”
If for any reason you feel like you might be denied a refund (if you’re a glutton for punishment and played for more than 2 hours, or god forbid you wait more than 14 days from your date of purchase to start the process), you can select the “I have a problem with a product in this purchase.” From here you can make an argument for why you deserve that money back and beg the Steam gods for a refund.
With the state of FNTASTIC and Steam’s willingness to pull the game, it’s likely you won’t encounter any pushback. There is always a margin for error so good luck deleting this title from your library – and your memory – forever.
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It’s a sad day for gamers all around the globe. After running on fumes for a couple of years, the Entertainment Software Association has officially announced the cancelation of their annual gaming expo, E3.
For more than two decades, E3 was the go-to festival for players and gaming companies alike to interact and showcase their latest projects. Following a year of audiences experiencing awesome games and giving their verdict on social media, E3 was the perfect retreat to celebrate the industry itself, while basking in the glory of what’s to come.
I can’t rightly remember the number of times I leaped up in joy watching the world premiere of a new game by Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, or any of the other major third-party developers like Ubisoft and Electronic Arts. And now, as much as it hurts to admit out loud, it seems that 2023 is officially marking the retirement of E3.
Is E3 canceled for good?
Image via E3
After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted plans for E3’s return in 2020, and subsequent years brought about other hurdles in the way, we were almost waiting on this announcement without knowing it. After all, Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest hasn’t been all that subtle about its aspirations to take E3’s place, and it seems the Game Awards host is finally getting his wish.
According to a report by The Washington Post, further verified by the Entertainment Software Association itself, E3 is retiring for good and won’t be back in 2024.
Addressing this regretful, if inevitable development, the company’s SEO Stanley Pierre-Louis released the following statement.
“We know the entire industry, players and creators alike have a lot of passion for E3. We share that passion. We know it’s difficult to say goodbye to such a beloved event, but it’s the right thing to do given the new opportunities our industry has to reach fans and partners.”
Pierre-Louis further explained that the advent of other popular platforms like Twitch with their streaming tools has contributed to E3 becoming defunct as a business model. Sony’s infamous decision to forego the 2019 showcase was only one of the developments that cast a long shadow over the expo’s prospects. Now, with repeated State of Play streams, not to mention Microsoft’s own conjoined showcase with Bethesda, it seems clear that there won’t be a place for E3 in the ensemble going forward.
Besides, E3 required a lot of coordination on an industry-wide level, so with the studios’ hectic schedules these days to get games out in time, we understand where many of these companies are coming from.
Will E3 ever be resurrected? It’s highly unlikely, but we’ve been surprised by such developments before.
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We’re ready to roll a new character! 
