Kao the Kangaroo, a PS2-era mascot platformer series, is making a comeback. The series, which has been dormant since 2005’s Kao: Mystery of Volcano, is returning for a new adventure. The games, which were 3D platformers released in the early 2000s, might not be the most fondly-remembered titles of the time, but with 3D platformers being much less common these days there’s perhaps reason for people to be nostalgic for Kao.
The game has been announced on Steam, and while details are thin, this confirms that the game will come to PC. “This time Kao will take on a completely new journey,” the announcement reads. “New story, challenges, enemies, visuals, and a whole lot more! We will keep you posted and soon you will be able to see a first glance of the game.”
Kao is not the only Australian animal to have worked as a platformer star on the PS2 before being revived–Ty the Tasmanian Tiger HD released for the Switch earlier this year. While Tate Interactive is a Polish company, Ty was developed by Krome Studios, based in Australia.
Hopefully we’ll have more news about what the new Kao will look like soon, and whether it’ll be aimed at older fans or new young players.
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PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds has dominated the mobile game scene, with a report from Sensor Tower stating that the PUBG Mobile raked in over $200 million last month, which represented 41 percent growth from May 2019. Tencent scooped both first and second place on this report when it came to overall revenue earned, with PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings pocketing an estimated total of $450.5 million combined.
PUBG Mobile saw most of that revenue come from its Chinese share of the market–China made up 53 percent of the game’s earnings last month–with the United States in second place at 10.2 percent of the share. Outside of PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings, Roblox took third place when accounting for overall revenue earned in May 2020, beating out the likes of Pokemon GO and Fate/Grand Order.
While Pokemon GO experienced an impressive surge in revenue since May last year, it still wasn’t enough to dethrone PUBG Mobile. Even Fortnite, who has made over $1 billion from microtransactions, didn’t even compare to the earners on Sensor Tower’s top ten list. The battle royale shooter’s Season 13 Royale Pass launched last month, adding a number of in-game unlockables and allowing players who paid for the Elite pass to earn exclusive rank rewards. There’s also the matter of the Fire Ranger and Ice Ranger skins that players can now access as part of Season 13, in keeping with the content’s toy-like theme.
PUBG Mobile has seen a number of quality of life changes since first hitting the market, with the most recent being an update to the notification season to make tracking one’s in-game progress easier. With Season 14 poised to hit around July, it’ll be exciting to see what other changes are in store and if PUBG Mobile can keep its place on the throne for this month’s revenue projections.
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Xbox boss Phil Spencer’s vision for Xbox is beyond consoles. A system that sits under or next to your TV will be important for years to come, but Microsoft is preparing for a future where the company doesn’t need to sell you a console to become an Xbox user.
Spencer expanded on some of these ideas in an interview with Wired recently. He said he wants gaming to grow to a place that is more platform-agnostic. He used Netflix as an example, saying it doesn’t matter whether you watch on a TV or a mobile phone–the content is the same.
“You and I might watch Netflix. I don’t know where you watch it, where I watch it, but we can have conversations about the shows we watch,” Spencer said. “I want gaming to evolve to that same level.”
Spencer elaborated a little more, saying Microsoft is aiming to make Xbox a brand that gives people the freedom to play “where you want to play.” For some people, playing on a console will be the best and most reliable way to play games for a long time. For those who don’t want to invest in a console, Microsoft offers its games on PC as well, including Halo Infinite later this year. Additionally, Xbox games will be playable on your phone through streaming with xCloud.
Spencer went on to say that Microsoft remains committed to launching new consoles–he said there will likely be another Xbox after the Series X. “I don’t think Xbox Series X is our last console. I think we will do more consoles to make that great television play experience work and be delightful,” he said.
The executive also spoke about the unique position Xbox is in being owned by Microsoft, which is one of the largest and most deep-pocketed companies on the planet. “The nice thing about being in a company the scale of Microsoft is that we’re able to make bets across a lot of those fronts, and we’re not really dependent upon any one of those individual kinds of businesses or relationships to succeed,” he said.
The Last of Us Part II releases on June 19, and expectant fans will likely have been watching and re-watching all the footage and trailers available, such as the story trailer that revealed some details of Ellie’s upcoming struggle. Thanks to one creative fan, you can experience that trailer again…but in Lego form.
The Lego trailer below comes from Pavel Prokhorov and Pavesome Films, an account that specializes in Lego recreations. It’s a scene-for-scene recreation of the Last of Us Part II story trailer, complete with Lego infected, Lego Ellie, Lego Joel, and lots of blood…but despite the violence, it’s still pretty cute. Fewer bricks to the face, more faces made of bricks.
Just be aware that if you’ve avoided any footage from the game so far, this contains spot-on recreations of moments that happen in the full game.
The review embargo for The Last of Us Part II ends on June 12, and you can read GameSpot’s review then. Until then, you should check out GameSpot’s hands-on preview.
Mere days after warning it could potentially go bankrupt, AMC Entertainment, which owns the AMC chain of movie theaters, has revealed a loss of $2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2020, thanks in large part to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Still, even with those losses, the company is gearing up to once again open its doors.
The news comes from Variety, which reports the company plans to reopen its theaters worldwide in July, after shutting them down in March. “These are truly unprecedented times,” AMC Entertainment CEO Adam Aron said in a statement. “We are confident we are taking the necessary steps on a broad array of fronts to ensure AMC’s future success as we navigate these turbulent and uncertain times.”
Thus far, the company has not revealed what approach it will take in reopening. It’s worth noting that while the state of California will allow movie theaters to open as of Friday, June 12, AMC will instead be waiting longer–and they’re not the only company doing that.
When theaters do reopen, you should prepare yourself for a very different moviegoing experience. In California, theaters will be able to operate at a reduced capacity as of June 12. Each auditorium will be allowed to be filled to 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is lower. Additionally, it’s being required that facemasks are worn when patrons are not eating or drinking. Lastly, theaters will be working to create social distance barriers between theatergoers by blocking off seats.
If AMC’s plan to reopen in July goes into effect, that should mean its theaters will be able to play Tenet, the upcoming film from Christopher Nolan. Tenet is currently scheduled to be released on July 17.
Image credit: Getty/Valerie Macon
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The Pokemon Company had previously confirmed that The Isle of Armor would launch this month, but now it has been given an official release date, and it’s very soon: June 17.
The Isle Of Armor Story
The Isle of Armor takes players to the titular island, which is home to an assortment of new and returning Pokemon not found in Galar proper, such as the newly revealed Galarian Slowbro. The story of this expansion revolves around a Pokemon dojo run by a former Pokemon League champion named Mustard, who gifts you the Legendary Fighting Pokemon Kubfu.
As part of your training, you’ll need to challenge either the Tower of Darkness or the Tower of Waters. After successfully clearing one of the two towers, Kubfu will evolve into Urshifu, with its form depending on which tower you challenged. Urshifu is one of the few Pokemon in Sword and Shield capable of Gigantamaxing, and each form has its own signature G-Max move. Single Strike Style Urshifu can use G-Max One Blow, while Rapid Style Urshifu can launch G-Max Rapid Flow. Both attacks can damage an opposing Pokemon, even if it’s using Protect.
New Gigantamax Pokemon
In addition to Urshifu, The Isle of Armor is introducing two new Gigantamax forms: Gigantamax Venusaur and Gigantamax Blastoise. Based on the trailer above, it appears you’ll be given one of the two Pokemon during your travels around the island. Gigantamax Venusaur’s signature G-Max move is G-Max Vine Lash, which damages non-Grass-type foes for four turns. Gigantamax Blastoise, meanwhile, is able to use G-Max Cannonade, which similarly damages non-Water-type opponents for four turns.
Gigantamax Venusaur
As previously revealed, the final form of your starter Pokemon in Sword and Shield–Rillaboom, Cinderace, or Inteleon–will also gain the ability to Gigantamax in The Isle of Armor via a special meal called Max Soup. According to the official Pokemon website, “If a Pokemon with great hidden potential drinks Max Soup, it will become a special Pokemon capable of Gigantamaxing.”
New Features
Along with a variety of new items and clothing options for your trainer, The Isle of Armor will introduce a handful of new gameplay features to Sword and Shield. One is called the Cram-o-matic. You can feed this bizarre device four items and it will cough out a new item in return. The Pokemon Company says “some combinations might produce rare items.”
The elegant Cram-o-matic
You can also exchange a new item called Armorite Ore to teach your Pokemon new tutor moves. Two such moves are Burning Jealousy and Grassy Glide. The former is a Fire-type attack that deals damage and burns any Pokemon that has had its stats boosted during the battle; the latter is a Grass-type move that has increased priority when Grassy Terrain is in effect.
The Crown Tundra Details
The Pokemon Company has also shared some new details on Sword and Shield’s second expansion, The Crown Tundra. This DLC will introduce a handful of new Legendary Pokemon to the games, including Galarian forms of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, as well as two new Regis: the Electric-type Regieleki and the Dragon-type Regidrago.
The expansion also adds a new gameplay mode called the Galarian Star Tournament. In this competition, you’ll be able to team up with an NPC and take on characters you’ve met throughout the game in double battles.
Raihan and Leon teaming up for the Galarian Star Tournament
In other Pokemon news, a new Max Raid event is underway in Sword and Shield, and it features every Gigantamax Pokemon, giving you another chance to add them to your collection. You can also claim a handful of free Pokemon right now. Galarian Ponyta with its Hidden Ability is available until June 4. If you transfer a Pokemon from Sword or Shield to Pokemon Home, you can also receive the three Galar starters with their Hidden Abilities.
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DC is gearing up for the start of Joker War, an epic new crossover featuring what is said to be the final showdown between Batman and Joker. The Clown Prince of Crime knows Batman’s secret identity, and he’s finally ready to end their long dance and bring Gotham burning down around them. But he won’t be doing it alone. Joker has a brand new ally in the form of Punchline.
Thanks to the release of new books like Batman #92 and The Joker: 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, we now know much more about Punchline’s origin and how she fits into Joker’s grand plan. Read on to find out how this new Batman villain came to be and why she’s not just a replacement for Harley Quinn.
Warning: this article contains spoilers for Batman #92, The Joker: 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, and Batman: Secret Files #3!
Among the many stories featured in The Joker: 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, one features writer James Tynion IV and artist Mikel Janin chronicling the origin of Punchline. This story reveals she was once a seemingly ordinary college student named Alexis, albeit one with an unhealthy fascination with the Joker. After her school holds a “Dress like your favorite hero” event in response to Joker’s latest crime spree, Alexis courts controversy by dressing like her role model. And when the school’s dean attempts to talk sense into her, Alexis lets her dark side spring free.
Art by Mikel Janin. (Image Credit: DC)
Alexis poisons the dean with her own homemade Joker toxin and reveals her desire to destroy the world and usher in a new era of chaos and anarchy. As it turns out, the Joker is hiding in Alexis’ closet and watching the whole performance. Now satisfied she’s worthy of being his partner, Joker officially welcomes her into the fold and agrees to make her part of his latest and greatest plot to destroy Batman. Thus, Punchline is born.
This story reveals two crucial differences between Punchline and Joker’s former flame Harley Quinn. Whereas Harleen Quinzel was a well-meaning psychiatrist corrupted through her sessions with Joker, Alexis was well on the path to villainy before ever actually meeting Joker. And while Harley was treated more as Joker’s sidekick and punching bag, Joker seems willing to accept Punchline as a true partner-in-crime.
What exactly are the two villains planning? As Batman Secret Files #3 reveals, they’re going after the money. A story by Tynion and artist Sumit Kumar flashes back a month before the events of the current “Their Dark Designs” storyline, as Joker and Punchline approach Deathstroke with an offer. Joker wants to steal the Wayne fortune and use it to fund his war on Batman. In exchange for his help, Deathstroke will receive the beneficiary trust Bruce set up for Dick Grayson.
Art by Sumit Kumar. (Image Credit: DC)
Even as Deathstroke has been among the hired assassins working for the Designer, it seems Slade has had ulterior motives.
If Joker wants to steal the Wayne fortune, he may have to get in line. Batman #92 (by Tynion and artist Guillem March) serves as the penultimate chapter of “Their Dark Designs,” which deals with a villain called the Designer manipulating Batman, Catwoman, Riddler, and Penguin as part of a larger plot to rule Gotham. The Designer once showed Catwoman a way to steal the Wayne fortune and become Gotham’s richest resident, and now Selina is desperate to stop him from carrying out that plan himself. Unfortunately, she and her temporary partner Harley Quinn are stymied when they bump into Punchline, who’s also looking to do a little bank robbery. Needless to say, Harley isn’t amused by Joker’s biggest fan.
Art by Guillem March. (Image Credit: DC)
With only one issue remaining in this storyline, we’re getting a much better picture of how Joker plans to strike at his nemesis. If all goes according to Joker’s plan, Batman will find all his wealth and resources turned against him and wielded by an enemy who knows his secret identity.
Look for Joker War to officially begin in Batman #95, which is currently scheduled for release on Tuesday, July 8.
If you’ve been meaning to learn Spanish, or other languages, I have excellent news for you. Right now the Rosetta Stone Lifetime Membership is on sale, so you can take the Rosetta Stone Spanish course, learn Spanish online (or Japanese, or any of their other language packages).
“But how much does Rosetta Stone cost?” I hear you ask. Right now you can get a lifetime membership for just $199, which knocks a whopping $100 off the regular price.
Learn Japanese and watch anime or read manga in ways you never could before. Learn Spanish and open yourself up to friendships or business opportunities like never before. Once you finish the course for one language, move to another one at no additional charge. The choice is yours.
Brian Barnett writes wiki guides, deals posts, features, and much more for IGN. You can get your fix of Brian’s antics on Twitter and Instagram (@Ribnax).
Sony announced The Future of Gaming, a digital conference that will finally give us a first look at some PS5 games. Initially scheduled for June 4 but delayed until June 11 at 1pm PT/ 4pm ET/ 9pm BST, the reveal event is expected to be about an hour long and is the first part of a series of updates Sony has planned for its upcoming console.
Thus far, we’ve learned about PS5 specs and hardware, the new DualSense controller, and a few confirmed next-gen titles. But this will actually be our first, truly dedicated look at games we can expect to play on PlayStation’s upcoming console.
Sony did not mention which games to expect to see or if we’ll finally get a glimpse of the official PS5 design. Either way, if you’re interested in what PlayStation has planned for the next-gen, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss the show. Here’s what you need to know to catch the livestream, and some speculation about what we might see based on the what we know so far.
How to Watch the PS5 Games Reveal Event (June 2020)
The PS5 games reveal, also known as The Future of Gaming livestream, takes place on Thursday, June 11 at 1pm PT/ 4pm ET/ 9pm BST. You can watch it here with us or on one of the many IGN channels we have across several major platforms. For the sake of convenience, here is a list of all the places you can watch the PS5 games reveal event:
What Games to Expect at Sony’s The Future of Gaming Event
There’s no official word on which games we’ll see at The Future of Gaming livestream. All we know for certain is that Sony plans on revealing some of its up-and-coming titles at the event. That said, we can speculate a little bit about what we might see based on the list of games confirmed and rumored for the PS5 so far.
Following the reveal of Unreal Engine 5, Epic Games confirmed Fortnite as a launch title for the PS5. Rainbow Six Seige is yet another title confirmed for launch. Additionally, when speaking on the topic of PS5 backward compatibility, Sony says it intends to have the majority of PS4 titles available on its next system. Whether or not this is a feature we’ll see at launch like the Xbox Series X is still to be determined. Take a look at the list of confirmed games we might see at the PS5 reveal event:
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Holiday 2020)
Battlefield 6 (2021)
Chorus (2021)
Cygni: All Guns Blazing (TBA)
Destiny 2 (TBA)
DiRT 5 (October 2020)
Dying Light 2 (TBA)
Fortnite (Launch)
Godfall (December 2020)
Gods and Monsters (Holiday 2020)
Gothic Remake (TBA)
Madden NFL 21 (TBA 2020)
MicroMan (2021)
Moonray (2021)
Nth^0 Infinity Reborn (2021)
Observer (Holiday 2020)
Outriders (Holiday 2020)
Psyhotel (TBA)
Quantum Error (TBA 2020)
Rainbow Six Quarantine (2020-2021)
Rainbow Six Siege (Launch)
Redo! Enhanced Edition (TBA 2020)
Scarlet Nexus (TBA)
Soulborn (2021)
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum (2021)
The Sims 5 (TBA)
Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 (TBA 2020)
Untitled Game from The First Development Division/Square Enix (TBA)
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (TBA 2020)
Warframe (TBA)
Watch Dogs: Legion (Holiday 2020)
WRC 9 (TBA 2020)
Which games do you hope to see at The Future of Gaming event? For more, check out what we have planned for IGN’s Summer of Gaming and make sure to check out everything we know about the PS5 so far.
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Felicia Miranda is SEO Editor at IGN and you can find her on Twitter at @FeliciaVagabond.
IBM has announced that its company is no longer offering general-purpose facial recognition or analysis software, with the CEO calling for a “national dialogue” on whether and how the technology should be employed by law enforcement.
Arvind Krishna, the CEO of IBM, addressed the change in a letter to U.S. Congress members on Monday, in which he explained the company’s decision to exit the facial recognition business, and opposed the use of such technology for purposes of mass surveillance and racial profiling.
“IBM firmly opposes and will not condone uses of any [facial recognition] technology, including facial recognition technology offered by other vendors, for mass surveillance, racial profiling, violations of basic human rights and freedoms, or any purpose which is not consistent with our values and Principles of Trust and Transparency,” Krishna outlined in the letter. “We believe now is the time to begin a national dialogue on whether and how facial recognition technology should be employed by domestic law enforcement agencies.”
This comes after several studies have indicated that some facial recognition systems demonstrate inaccuracies in the algorithms that analyse a subject’s face, which can produce bias along lines of age, race, and ethnicity.
IBM confirmed to The Verge that the multinational firm will also stop further development and research of this technology, as Krishna wrote his letter to encourage the use of other technologies that will bring “greater transparency and accountability to policing,” such as body cameras and modern data analytics techniques.
In the statement, IBM further expressed the company’s desire to work with Congress in pursuit of justice and racial equity, underscoring the need to reassess policy areas and police reform in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
