Author: Trafficblast

Activision, EA, PlayStation, Microsoft Named In Best Places To Work For LGBTQ Equality List

The Human Rights Campaign has released the results of its 2021 Corporate Equality Index that shines a light on the US-based companies that are doing the best in regards to practices and policies related to LGBTQ workplace equality, and several gaming companies made the list.

The 2021 index includes 767 companies that received a top score for LGBTQ-inclusive policies, which is a record for the index. Included on the list with a perfect score are gaming giants like Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, as well as the retailer GameStop. Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon also made the list this year.

“The Corporate Equality Index comes out after a year the nation has faced a global pandemic, legitimate racial injustice and national unrest,” the organization said. “Within this climate, companies have continued to advance vital workplace protections for LGBTQ employees around the world, as acknowledged in this report.”

“To earn top ratings, these employers took concrete steps to establish and implement comprehensive policies, benefits, and practices that ensure greater equity for LGBTQ workers and their families.”

Smaller game companies, and major ones based outside of the US, are not included in this ranking, as it only applies mid- to large-size businesses in the country.

The Human Rights Campaign acknowledged that its list is not perfect, but it claims to offer a “foundation upon which employees can feel more comfortable living and working as their true selves–an important step, but one which is only the starting point.”

Activision Blizzard specifically recently came under fire from a Vice report that said the gaming company was trying to avoid a situation where it needed to interview at least one diverse candidate when looking to fill a job. Activision Blizzard has since shot back at the Vice report, telling GI.biz in a statement that the site “mischaracterized” the real situation.

You can read the full Human Rights Campaign report here [PDF].

Get A Justice League Dinner Delivered To Your House To Celebrate Release Of Snyder Cut

Warner Bros. is partnering once again with Wonderland Restaurants to bring a Justice League inspired meal to homes across the US to celebrate the March 18 release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max.

Limited edition boxes shaped like the Mother Box from Justice League will be delivered right to your home. The meal will cost $130/£100 for two people, and the food inside will be inspired by characters from the Justice League. These will deliver April 15-May 27, and you can preorder on Wonderland at Home.

No Caption Provided

As you can see from the official menu above, this is a multi-course meal featuring items based on things from the DC Universe, like Jitters Coffee, a staple from The Flash. This tasting menu features fish, a burger, desert, a couple of beers and more.

The Mother Box At Home meal celebrates the home release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The film arrives on March 18 on HBO Max in the US with UK release plans to follow. This won’t be a traditional DC film though. This will be four one-hour-long parts making it the longest superhero movie to date.

This isn’t the first time Wonderland has been involved in a DC-related eating experience. In February 2020, Wonderland opened a Batman-themed restaurant called Park Row in London. The experience featured sections designed around Batman villains like Penguin and Harley Quinn.

Wonderland At Home states it has more boxed dining experiences planned for this year, which may incorporate more WB franchises.

Grounded Update Adds Flying Insects Like Bees And Mosquitos To The Xbox And PC Game

The next update for Obsidian’s adventure-survival game Grounded has arrived, and it adds flying insects to the Xbox and PC title for the first time.

Mosquitos, fireflies, and bees are now invading the world of Grounded, adding on to the ground-dwelling bugs such as ants and spiders. In a blog post, Obsidian said flying insects had been a top-requested feature from the community since launch.

In addition to the insects themselves, the new update adds more craftable items themed around the new winged creatures. These new items include Beer armor, a Firefly head lamp, and the Mosquito Needle. You need to kill the critters themselves first before you can craft the items.

In addition to all of this, Obsidian has added a new shield that you can craft from weevil parts. This shield allows you to block certain attacks that were previously impossible to block.

The new Grounded update also add more quality-of-life updates. In particular, when you die, you no longer need to find your way back to your backpack to recover your items. Instead, these items just stay with you after you die. Additionally, equipped items no longer use inventory space.

“We hope players love these insects and updates as much as we loved creating them,” Obsidian said.

Grounded remains in early access on Xbox and PC. Developer Obsidian is now owned by Microsoft, and the company is working on a new RPG called Avowed, in addition to a presumed sequel to The Outer Worlds.

Now Playing: Grounded Early Access Video Review

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

Snyder Cut Of Justice League Heading To HBO Max In March, New Posters Revealed

It was announced last May that the Snyder Cut will be premiering on HBO Max, without a specific release date. Friday morning, fans of the long-awaited “uncompromised” version of Warner Bros’ Justice League movie got their answer.

The Snyder Cut will be premiering on HBO Max on March 18. In just a few weeks, we’ll finally get to see if it was worth the wait. It will be released as a four-hour-long epic, which makes it the longest-running comic book movie in history. Check out the new posters below.

Credit: WarnerMedia
Credit: WarnerMedia

Gallery

For years now, we’ve seen bits and pieces of Snyder’s original version from Henry Cavill in the black Superman costume most notably tied to his return after his death in the comics, a barbaric-looking Darkseid, and a redesigned Steppenwolf–on top of additional shoots adding characters such as Jared Leto’s Joker.

When Zack Snyder was removed as the film’s director, Avengers director Joss Whedon signed on to finish the project, injecting humor and removing a lot of what Snyder had already filmed. Justice League was met with a mixed to a lukewarm reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it’s still holding down at 40%.

The Release The Snyder Cut social media movement fired up in recent years, especially after WB initially had said they were never going to release it. It soon delved into harassment to numerous DC and WB employees.

Scrubs Star Zach Braff Joins Cheaper By The Dozen Remake At Disney+

Disney is rebooting Cheaper by the Dozen, and now the family comedy-drama has added another big name to its cast. It has been confirmed that Scrubs and Garden State star Zach Braff is joining Gabrielle Union in the remake from Black-ish creative/producer Kenya Barris.

This is a Disney+ movie and it’s on the books to release in 2022.

The Cheaper by the Dozen remake focuses on a multiracial family of 12. Braff is lined up to play the father, with Union portraying the mother.

Braff confirmed the casting on Instagram, where he wrote, “I dreamt I married Gabrielle Union and had 12 kids. It came true!!!!”

The Cheaper by the Dozen franchise dates back to 1950, but it was revitalized in 2003 with a new film that starred Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt as the parents of the gigantic family. A sequel was released in 2005, with Martin and Hunt coming back. The original film’s director, Shawn Levy, is attached as a producer on the Disney+ film.

The two Cheaper by the Dozen films released in theatres combined to make more than $320 million at the global box office. The third film will be measured differently, however, as it’s a streaming film for Disney+.

In other news, the first trailer for the Disney+ remake of The Mighty Ducks has been released.

G4 Confirms Revival of X-Play, Attack of the Show for 2021

G4 has officially confirmed that X-Play and Attack of the Show! will be returning in Summer 2021.

The news was confirmed on G4’s Twitter in a teaser video that featured the show’s logos, the voice of X-Play host Adam Sessler, and the text “We heard you. The legends return. Summer 2021. We never stopped playing.”

G4 first revealed its intention to return in the middle of 2020 during Comic-Con@Home on IGN Live, and since then, WWE’s Xavier Woods has joined as a new host and Olivia Munn has been in talks to rejoin as a host.

X-Play was a TV show known for its video game reviews and was on air from 1988 to 2013. Throughout the years, it was hosted by Adam Sessler, Morgan Webb, Blair Herter, Jessica Chobot, Lauren Fielder, Kristin Adams, and more.

Attack of the Show! was a live TV show all about the best in pop culture. It did feature video game coverage, but was much broader than X-Play and also discussed news headlines, tech, movies, and more.

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/24/g4-2021-return-teaser”]

Attack of the Show! aired from 2005 to 2013 and was hosted by Kevin Pereira, Olivia Munn, Alison Haislip, Candace Bailey, Sara Jean Underwood, Kevin Rose, and more.

[poilib element=”accentDivider”]

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

WandaVision Episode 4: Every Easter Egg, Clue, And Comics Call-Back

WandaVision Episode 4 offered answers, clues, and even more fuel for your MCU conspiracy theories.

WandaVision Episode 4 offered answers, clues, and even more fuel for your MCU conspiracy theories.

Well, we were wrong in our guess about WandaVision Episode 4 taking place in the 1980s–this week we broke the format entirely for some major expository bombshells and answers to questions. Sort of. Rather than return to the sitcom-flavored wackiness of Westview, Episode 4 took a more zoomed out approach dealing with the world outside the town’s mysterious boundary.

This meant a whole slew of familiar MCU faces cropping back up for the first time in a long time. Both Agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) and Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) made their returns to help SWORD try and sort the Westview mystery out. We also got to officially meet adult Monica Rambeau for the first time–as herself, rather than “Geraldine,” that is–and check in with some Captain Marvel history in the process.

However, for all the answers this episode gave us, there are still some major questions at play, like how and why Vision is “alive” (if he even is alive at all), why the sitcoms are being broadcast out, and what’s going on with characters like Agnes and the newborn twins?

So as we attempt to process through all of that, we’ve picked out 22 Easter Eggs, potential clues, and things to pay attention to as you craft your theories for next week’s episode.

Start Building the Game You Want to Play WIth Zenva Academy


(StackCommerce)

Fans of Apple’s “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet” will appreciate this: If you can’t find the game you want to play, well, why not build it yourself? That’s totally doable these days with courses available online to help you learn the world of coding. After all, that’s what’s video games are: lines and lines and lines of code.

If this sounds like a dream, check out this one-year unlimited access to Zenva Academy. It’s only $139.99 for a limited time. That’s nothing compared to the average salary of a game programmer in 2019: $66,906. Let’s be real: That should only go up with your skill level. Let Zenva Academy be your starting point for this world of coding.

This purchase gives you access to 250 courses that’ll teach you all about programming. They’ll get into mobile apps, data science, and web development. The academy will teach you how to create actual projects. You should walk away from the academy having developed a virtual reality and augmented reality app. The academy is designed to welcome all skill levels. You don’t have to be a coding expert to complete some courses with some real experience under your belt.

What’s perhaps most appealing about this one-year access to Zenva Academy is that you can do it at your own pace. There aren’t deadlines or due dates, so if you’re a parent or already work a full-time job, you can fit the courses in around your schedule. This is a great convenience for those who have limited time. This discount can help bring you closer to your goals of game development or web design. For only $139.99, give yourself a year to learn how your favorite games were built—and create some yourself.

 

Zenva Academy: 1-Yr Unlimited Access – $139.99

See Deal

Prices subject to change.

Netflix’s Finding ‘Ohana Review

Finding ‘Ohana is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.

[poilib element=”accentDivider”]

Hey, you GUUUUUYS! If you love The Goonies, you’ll relish in the rollicking adventure of Netflix’s Finding ‘Ohana. The concept of a quirky kid crew questing for long-lost pirate’s treasure is given a fresh spin against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Hawaiian island of O‘ahu. However, the savvy and sentimental script by Christina Strain begins this journey in the urban jungle of Brooklyn, New York.

There, 12-year-old Pilialoha “Pili” Kawena (Kea Peahu) is a streetwise geocache champion, racing down sidewalks, cracking clues, and finding hidden prizes. Then, her plans for this kind of summer fun seem derailed when a family emergency pulls her back to the rural Hawaiian community where she was born. Neither Pili nor her teen brother Ioane (Alex Aiono) is stoked for this island getaway. Their grandfather’s battered bungalow doesn’t even have Wi-Fi! Cut off from the world they know (and the world wide web), Ioane turns his attentions to flirting with a beautiful local named Hana (Lindsay Watson), while Pili peruses a curious journal for clues to a lost treasure trove. With the help of her new friend Casper (Owen Vaccaro), she’ll set off on a quest that will change her life and family (‘ohana) forever.

The path of such kiddie adventures is so well worn that Strain’s script wastes no time on its first act. A spirited geocache chase plows into the Kawena clan landing in O‘ahu. Within moments of meeting her gruff but lovable Papa (Branscombe Richmond), Pili has already found the journal that will light her way to trials, tribulation, and treasure. Hot on the heels of this discovery, she crashes into Casper, a friendly redhead who — perhaps in a nod to screenwriting conventions — is literally saving a cat. Basically, Strain is well aware she’s not reinventing the wheel here. But if it ain’t broke, why bother?

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/netflixs-finding-ohana-official-clip”]

Likewise, the characters are forged from familiar stock. Pili is a spirited tomboy in the tradition of Punky Brewster or Pippi Longstocking. She’s fearless and quick to action, whether feuding with her brother or leaping across a river of lava. Casper is a consummate sidekick, supportive with info on the island’s creatures and culture as well as his eternal earnestness. Ioane (nicknamed “E”) struts in as the softly sexist older brother, who initially mangles his wooing of Hana with brogressive swagger. (Think Sokka in Season 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender.) He’s a loyal and protective older brother, but also a bit of a lunkhead when it comes to seeing women — including his sister, mother, and crush — beyond his own desires and obligations. No-nonsense yet genial, Hana proves not just his love interest, but also his foil, reflecting how he can bond with his sibling without all the bravado. Then for good measure, there’s a dash of artistic ambition slathered on her to drive home she’s smart and sensitive.

Having swiftly established its core crew and their interpersonal conflicts, Finding ‘Ohana gleefully chucks them into a mountain full of winding tunnels, collapsing caves, venomous critters, and an unnerving trail of sailor skeletons. Instead of stodgy flashbacks of the pirates’ passage, the film takes a clever cue from Ant-Man (or arguably Drunk History). The kids recount the story from the journal to each other, putting in the mouths of these bygone buccaneers with modern slang like, “That’s lit!” and “Oh dip!” Bringing to life these colorful scenes are two consummate character actors: Chris Parnell and Marc Evan Jackson. Though buried under eye-patches and wonky wigs, the comedic skills honed across storied sitcom work still shine, making these funky flashbacks a string of dazzlingly funny gems.

[widget path=”global/article/imagegallery” parameters=”albumSlug=female-treasure-hunters&captions=true”]

As director Jude Weng came from television, it’s perhaps no surprise that the film’s comedy beats have a solidly entertaining rhythm. More impressive is how Weng churns thrills in a cavalcade of action sequences, where the peril is exciting but the shadow of death never overbearing. Following in the footsteps of Indiana Jones (who is repeatedly name-checked), Pili and her crew spelunk, scuttle, scramble, and sing-along to get through each new challenge together. Of course, they will discover the true treasure is the bonds they forged along the way. Yet anticipating their destination doesn’t detract from the joy, in part because the cast is warmly winsome.

Supporting this emotional undercurrent is the B-plot, in which Pili’s mom and Papa mend the relationship that took a hit when she fled the island because of a tragedy she’s still getting over. As the kids journey through a mountain, the grown-ups trek through their psychological trauma to rediscover each other. This thread is a bit thin, but in a kid’s movie, any more would feel out of place. After all, this isn’t a tearjerker but an adventure! Peahu proves its sturdy leader, confidently shouldering a broad yet charming performance style that hits somewhere between Disney Channel sitcom and E.T. intensity. Her supporting cast follows this tone, making for a movie that’s bouncy and fun even when dealing with death, regret, and letting go.

Into a familiar mold, Strain and Weng happily pack elements of Hawaiian culture, including language, community pride, Spam cuisine, and the legend of the Night Marchers. These details are more than superficial set dressing. They are an invitation to the fish-out-of-water siblings to reconnect to their heritage and its wonders, and through their journey, we are invited to share in both. All of this leads to a final act that is a bit leggy, stuffing in payoffs emotional, mythical, and thematic. Still, the cast and the enchanting world of Finding ‘Ohana makes this detour feel more like the scenic route.

[widget path=”global/article/imagegallery” parameters=”albumSlug=netflix-spotlight-february-2021&captions=true”]

Nobody Is Happy With Call Of Duty Right Now

Call Of Duty recently merged progression, a season pass, and some guns across Cold War, Warzone, and Modern Warfare. In theory, it was a great idea that would allow any Call Of Duty player to engage in any mode and carry progress across games. In reality Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is a more traditional Call Of Duty title with a different audience from the mil-sim inspired Modern Warfare, so the merger has resulted in Warzone challenges that don’t appeal to Cold War players, erased or made meaningless progress for Modern Warfare players, overpowered guns like the Mac-10 and DMR 14 in Warzone, and created unlocks that some players can’t use unless they purchased the other title.

In this video, we talk about what we feel Activision was trying to achieve, why it’s a good idea in theory, why it isn’t working yet, and what they can focus on next. Call Of Duty titles published by Activision are developed by multiple studios including Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Raven Software, and Sledgehammer Games. This is the first time progress has been linked across two separate games and a standalone free-to-play battle-royale. We have yet to see if this shared ecosystem will be used moving forward for all Call Of Duty titles, but there are lessons to be learned either way.