Star Wars Celebration Is Still On (For Now)

With event cancelations due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic still rolling it, the future is looking mighty uncertain for some of the big mainstays of the pop culture convention world. San Diego Comic-Con recently canceled for the first time in its fifty-year history alongside Anime Expo, one of the largest anime conventions in the United States. Now, Star Wars Celebration is fielding the possibility of canceling their event, which is scheduled to be held in August.

Celebration released this statement via email today for fans, confirming that, as of right now, the event is still scheduled to take place as planned, but due to the fluid nature of the current situation, decisions are still being made.

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Fans planning on attending the event should keep a close eye on their email in the coming weeks for further updates.

Star Wars Celebration is held around the world with past locations ranging from Chicago to Orlando in North America. 2020 is the second time the convention has scheduled a stop in California after being held in Los Angeles back in 2007.

For more information about the current cancelations and postponements in the entertainment industry due to COVID-19, keep an eye, keep an eye on our news roundup.

Best Steam Game Deals In New Golden Week Sale

Every year, Japan’s Golden Week brings a slew of games sales across PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, and while Golden Week 2020 certainly looks different for many Japanese residents–they’re being asked to hunker down at home during what is normally the busiest travel season of the year–there are still plenty of online bargains floating around. Steam’s Golden Week 2020 Sale just kicked off, bringing hundreds of deals on popular Japanese-developed titles and franchises. The sale runs until May 6 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.

The Steam Golden Week Sale brings markdowns on most Final Fantasy games, which is perfect timing for those who just finished playing Final Fantasy VII Remake on PS4 and want to check out the older titles. You’ll also find great discounts on Resident Evil 2 Remake, which is $20, and Resident Evil 7, which is down to $15. Meanwhile, Dragon Ball FighterZ is also discounted to $15, and Devil May Cry 5 is on sale for $20.

Visual novel fans should take advantage of the great deals on all three Danganronpa games, with the first two going for $8 each and the third game discounted to $16. The popular series revolves around a group of high school students who find themselves trapped in a sinister killing game. Another great visual novel, 428: Shibuya Scramble, is down to just $10, normally selling for $50.

Other notable deals in the Golden Week Sale include Castlevania Anniversary Collection for $6.79, Yakuza Kiwami for $13.39, and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain for $6. OneShot is on sale for $5–this puzzle-adventure game is definitely a hidden gem that fans of Undertale or Doki Doki Literature Club will love.

There are a ton of games on sale right now, so check out more of our picks below and see the full collection of Golden Week deals on Steam. Plus, see more of the best digital game deals this week on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC and free games you to claim to keep right now.

Best Golden Week 2020 deals on Steam

Now Playing: Why We Gave Final Fantasy 7 Remake A 10/10

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We Turn Predator: Hunting Grounds’ Graphics Into One Ugly Motherf***er | Potato Mode

Predator: Hunting Grounds is a new asymmetric multiplayer game from the team behind Friday the 13th, and pits a team of soldiers against the ultimate movie hunter. But even an extraterrestrial trophy hunter can’t escape the scrutiny of Potato Mode, our video series that’s always after the biggest game.

In this edition, Ben and Jean-luc sit down to an old-fashioned multiplayer session, first showing the game as it’s meant to be seen, and then applying some mad science. The Nvidia Profile Inspector is used to tweak the graphics settings for some extremely un-optimized visuals. At first everything just gets shiny and smooth, but before long the Predator’s cloaking technology starts claiming large chunks of the ground.

Check out the video above to see all the horrifying results, and check out Potato Mode for more mad graphics science with the latest games.

The Walking Dead: You Can Watch Previous Seasons For Free, Starting In May

While we wait for the Season 10 finale of The Walking Dead, which has been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll soon be able to catch up on older episodes of the hit series on Pluto TV. This is thanks to a new deal between the streaming service and AMC Networks.

The two companies made the announcement on April 30 that starting May 1, the first five seasons of The Walking Dead will be on Pluto TV (via The Wrap). That means you can watch the incredible first season of Rick waking up in the zombie apocalypse and trying to reunite with his family. Or relive all the moments as Rick hangs out on Hershel’s farm–for a whole season. This will also include the Governor saga and the adventure to Terminus.

Additionally, this deal between Pluto TV and AMC will see IFC shows like Comedy Bang! Bang! and Documentary Now arrive on the streaming service as well.

Pluto TV is a free streaming service where you can watch live TV or VOD consisting of movies and TV shows. It is an ad-supported service, so while using it is free, you’ll have to watch some ads here and there. Pluto TV is available on Android, iOS, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, Roku, PS4, Xbox One, and on desktop.

And speaking of things you should be watching, consider listening to GameSpot’s weekly TV series and movies-focused podcast, You Should Be Watching. With new episodes premiering every Wednesday, you can watch a video version of the podcast over on GameSpot Universe or listen to audio versions on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts.

Now Playing: The Best Horror TV Shows Ever, Why You Should Watch Cosmic Horror | You Should Be Watching Ep 3

Keep Your Data Backed up and Secure Wtih the Best NAS Devices

Everyone should be backing up their data – yes, even you. And if you’re using multiple computers on a network, or just happen to have a huge media library you want to protect, NAS (network-attached storage) devices are the way to go.

There are heaps of NAS options out there, so we’ve rounded up the ones we consider to be the best. From the premium storage options with integrated processors and RAM to budget backups, these are our top picks right now. And if you’re not satisfied with our recommendations, we’ve also included a quick guide about what you should look for in a network-attached storage solution.

TL;DR – These are the Best Network-Attached Storage Solutions:

1. Synology Diskstation DS218+

Best Network-Attached Storage

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With two drive bays and zippy-fast write speeds, the Synology Diskstation DS218+ offers a lot for a reasonable price. Inside you’ll find a dual-core 2.0 GHz Intel Celeron processor and 2GB of DDR3L memory, which is expandable up to 6GB.

Like most NAS devices, it comes running a Linux-based interface called DiskStation Manager which is pretty easy to navigate, and Synology has its own apps for streaming media through. You can also use Synology’s cloud service to access your files remotely. Overall it’s fast, reliable, and easy to operate.

2. Synology DS120j

Best Budget Network-Attached Storage

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If you’re looking to start off small or have more meager needs, we recommend the Synology DS120j. Firstly, it’s just $100, making it the cheapest NAS device on our list. Secondly, it’s super easy to use, making it a great pick for NAS first-timers.

It’s a single-bay device, so it’s also more limited than others on this list. There’s also no hardware-based video transcoding (which means some files will need to be converted beforehand), nor does it work with Plex. In sum, there are much better options if media streaming is your priority; but for more basic use, the DS120j does the job nicely.

3. Asustor AS5202T

Best Network-Attached Storage for Power Users

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Two drive bays. Two 2.5Gb LAN ports. A 1.0GHz Intel Celeron J4005 CPU. And yes, a big price tag – but the Asustor AS5202T is perfect for heavy users thanks to its sheer power. The 2GB of DDR4 RAM can be expanded up to 8GB, and there’s 4GB of flash memory to play with. Plus, the LAN ports give you the option of link aggregation for zippy 5Gb Ethernet, too.

We also like the Asustor Data Master operating system, which has heaps of apps for media and productivity. The drawbacks? It’s very expensive, and there are no drives included.

4. Synology Diskstation DS1618+

Best Multi-Bay Network-Attached Storage

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Ok, this is the juggernaut, but if you have a media library that’s grown out of control then it’s absolutely warranted. There’s a powerful quad-core 2.1GHz CPU and 4GB of memory inside (expandable up to 32GB), but the big story is the six-bay drives you get with it. Theoretically, you could pump this thing with up to 84TB of storage.

That’s obviously going to be an insane amount for most people, but it’s good to know it’s there. We also really like the Synology DSM operating system, which is jam-packed with apps and functionality.

5. WD My Cloud

Best Network-Attached Storage With Included Disks

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Available in a variety of drive sizes, The WD My Cloud NAS comes with its disks built-in, meaning everything is ready to go out of the box. There’s USB 3.0 support (for adding more hard drives) and it’s ready to work with both PC and Mac from the get-go.

Overall, it’s good value, but you can also pick up the Mirror version, which comes with two drives and will create a copy of the backup on each (hence the name).

6. QNAP TS-251A

Best Network-Attached Storage for Media Streaming

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If media and streaming are your chief reasons for buying a NAS device, we recommend the QNAP TS-251A. It’s a powerful machine, with a dual-core Intel Celeron N3060 processor and 4GB of DDRL3 RAM (in the configuration we recommend, but you can get it with 2GB).

But it’s the media tricks that really impress us. Chiefly, it comes with a remote for playback control, which is unusual for a NAS device. It offers 4K media transcoding, and there’s an HDMI out so you can connect it directly to your 4K TV. Works great as a Plex server and won’t look out of place on your TV stand either. You will have to purchase the drives separately, however.

What to Look For in Network-Attached Storage

Not everyone needs Network-Attached-Storage, but it can be used to cure certain networking headaches. Do you and your family/housemates all share the same network? A NAS device allows you to share files with all of those computers from one central unit. Don’t want to backup all of your family’s computers individually? A NAS device gives you a way to do it all on one drive.

What are you using it for?

If either of the above scenarios resonates with you a NAS device may be worth considering. If you find yourself in a situation where multiple devices in your home need to access the same tools or files, a NAS device can do that. So it’s not just about storing things but accessing them too.

The other reason for a NAS device is that you have a huge media library that you’d like to be able to access from multiple computers/TVs/tablets/etc. You could turn your NAS into a Plex server, so everyone in the home has swift access to the same movies, TV shows, and music.

Go diskless? How many bays?

You’ll find that most NAS devices come without disk drives, which means you’ll need to purchase them separately. There are exceptions to this, however, such as the WD My Cloud Personal Network Attached Storage – which considering it’s made by Western Digital, makes a bit more sense.

But in many cases NAS makers don’t make hard drives, so they’ll sell their device without any disks included. You may already own some disk drives, in which case a diskless system poses less of a problem, but check the manufacturer’s recommendations as some brands of disks may work better than others.

Bays are what the disk drives go into, so the higher the number of bays the NAS has, the more potential capacity there is. Generally, two or more bays are best; multimedia systems will often have more.

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Hugh Langley is a tech journalist who’s fascinated by wearables, health tech, the smart home, and more. You can find him tweeting (often nonsense) over at @hughlangley.

6 Free Games Amazon Prime Members Can Snag In May

May is nearly here, which means a new month of freebies from all of your various subscriptions. Amazon has revealed next month’s free PC games for Twitch Prime users, all of which will be available starting May 1. They include the great puzzle-platformer, Snake Pass; the stunt racing Trials-like Urban Trial Playground; and the rhythmic music game, Avicii Invector. The rest of the free Twitch Prime games are Pankapu, The Little Acre, and Fractured Minds.

All six of these games can be claimed on the Twitch Prime hub. You’ll also need to have the Twitch PC client to install and play them. The Twitch Prime hub is also home to all of the bonus loot you can claim throughout the month, so it’s worth keeping an eye on this page as we make our way through May. These free games are available to anyone with an Amazon Prime account; all you need to do is link your Twitch and Amazon accounts, and you’re good to go.

On Steam, all of these games have positive user ratings, except for Urban Trial Playground, which sits at a Mixed rating. Avicii Invector stands out with an Overwhelmingly Positive review rating. It was a project started by Hello There Games and late music producer Avicii back in 2015 and was finished after his passing in 2018. In Invector, you hit notes as you fly through various soundscapes set to the music of Avicii.

Of these games, only one has been reviewed by GameSpot. Our Snake Pass review called the puzzle-platformer “a wonderfully relaxing journey through some beautiful habitats,” praising its “gorgeous art and catchy soundtrack” as well as the innovative snake-like movement.

There’s also currently a lot of bonus loot for Twitch Prime members. Fallout 76 and Destiny 2 both have Twitch Prime cosmetic items you can claim right now, while League of Legends has a mystery skin and RuneScape has the Ancient Legionary skin. You can see the full offerings revealed for May so far below.

In addition to Twitch Prime’s offerings, there are plenty of free games you can claim right now. Quite a few developers and publishers are giving away their titles to support those staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. And if you’re looking for even more ways to pass the time, we have a great guide on the best TV, movies, and games to enjoy while social distancing.

Twitch Prime free games for May 2020

Available May 1:

  • Snake Pass
  • Urban Trial Playground
  • Avicii Invector
  • Pankapu
  • The Little Acre
  • Fracture Minds

Twitch Prime free loot for May 2020

Available now:

  • Words with Friends 2 – (Drop 1) Hindsight 2020 Mystery box
  • Fallout 76 – (Drop 3) Wastelanders bundle
  • RuneScape – (Drop 1) Ancient Legionary set
  • Destiny 2 – (Drop 4) S’Mores Exotic emote, Death to Kells Exotic ship, Star Map Exotic Ghost Shell, and the Whipcrack Legendary Sparrow
  • League of Legends – (Drop 2) A permanent mystery skin
  • Legends of Runeterra – (Drop 2) Champion Wild Card, Expedition Run, Rare Wild Card, and an Epic Wild Card
  • Ring of Elysium – (Drop 4) 500 E-Points, a themed vehicle, and a bonus accessory
  • The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross – (Drop 1) SR-SSR Race Draw ticket

Available May 11:

League of Legends – (Drop 3)

Now Playing: Snake Charmers – Let’s Play Snake Pass

Watch Tron Actor Reunite With His Light Suit Four Decades Later

“Oh my God, hello old friend. Greetings, program.”

That’s the surprised reaction Tron actor Bruce Boxleitner had after being reunited with his light suit from the 1982 Steven Lisberger classic in Disney+’s new docuseries Prop Culture. In the exclusive clip below, you can watch Boxleitner have a heartfelt reunion with the iconic Tron costume, which he hadn’t seen in years.

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Made of lycra, leather, canvas and plastic, the costume was in such delicate condition that Boxleitner and Prop Culture’s host, movie prop collector Dan Lanigan, needed to wear plastic gloves to handle it. In the clip, Boxleitner reflects on how the costume was made and what it was like to star in a Disney movie that became such a fan-favorite.

“It is amazing holding this because working on a Disney movie for a kid like my age group, this is what we grew up on,” said Boxleitner. “To actually be in a Disney movie was pretty thrilling, I’ve got to say.”

Prop Culture follows Lanigan as he learns more about the extensive collection of movie props he’s collected over the years by talking to the people who made them, while also going into the Disney archives and exploring its treasures. Episodes will focus on a number of Disney titles, including Nightmare Before Christmas, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mary Poppins, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Honey, I Shrunk the Kid, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and, of course, Tron.

All eight episodes of Disney+’s Prop Culture will be available Friday, May 1st. Check out our full guide to everything coming to Disney+ in May 2020. If you don’t have the streaming service, you can sign up for a free 14-day Disney+ trial here.

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Terri Schwartz is Editor-in-Chief of Entertainment at IGN. Talk to her on Twitter at @Terri_Schwartz.

Disney Live-Action Remake Of Hercules In Development–Report

The production of many Hollywood movies might be currently suspended, but films continue to be put into development. Disney has had much recent success with live-action remakes of its classic animated movies, and it’s now been reported that a new movie of Hercules is in the works.

According to Variety, the live-action version of the 1997 film Hercules will be produced by Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo. The site states that the project is in “early development,” and that Dave Callaham has been hired to work on the script. Callaham’s previous credits include The Expendables, Godzilla, and Zombieland: Double Tap, as well as the upcoming superhero movies Wonder Woman 1984 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

The animated Hercules hit theaters in June 1997, and while it was a modest box office success, it fell short of the likes of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, which had preceded it. The voicecast included Danny DeVito, James Woods, and Tate Donovan.

The next live-action Disney remake will be Mulan. The film was set to be released in March, but the COVID-19 pandemic led it to be delayed until July. Other Disney live-action movies on the way include the 101 Dalmatians spin-off Cruella, which is currently set for a May 2021 release, as well as films based on The Little Mermaid, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, and Bambi.

In related news, the Russo brothers’ latest production, the action thriller Extraction, hit Netflix last week. Check out GameSpot’s Extraction review here.

Now Playing: Disney’s Mulan – Official Trailer