Author: Trafficblast

NASA’s Mars Rover Is Bringing 10.9 Million Names to the Red Planet

NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover will be carrying more than 10.9 million names when it launches from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station this summer on its voyage towards Jezero Crater, where it’s expected to land on February 18, 2021.

NASA confirmed on Thursday that 10,932,295 monikers and 155 essays had been etched onto a microchip aboard the rover in response to the ‘Send Your Name to Mars’ campaign, which invited people around the world to submit names and articles to ride aboard the agency’s next rover to the Red Planet.

The successful entries were stencilled by electron beam onto three fingernail-sized silicon chips, which were then attached to an aluminium plate affixed to the centre of the rover’s aft crossbeam at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 16, 2020.

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The chips were joined on the plate by a graphic of the Earth, Sun and Mars. “While commemorating the rover that connects the two worlds, the simple illustration also pays tribute to the elegant line art of the plaques aboard the Pioneer spacecraft and golden records carried by Voyagers 1 and 2,” NASA said in a statement.

According to NASA, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has not yet affected the launch schedule of the Mars Perseverance rover. In fact, the team recently started to reconfigure the rover to ride atop the Atlas V rocket ahead of its launch from the facility near to Kennedy Space Center on July 17, 2020.

Upon reaching the Red Planet, the Perseverance rover will reportedly search for signs of past microbial life on the planet, characterize its climate and geology, and collect samples of the rocky terrain to bring back to Earth in an effort to pave the way for human exploration of Mars in the future.

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For other exciting space discoveries and developments, check out the new method MIT engineers have identified to deflect asteroids, read about the mini-moon that was found to be orbiting Earth, and find out more about the sad fate that an asteroid belt may face in six billion years.

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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Here’s Why the Xbox Series X Controller Still Uses AA Batteries

Microsoft has explained its decision to once again use AA batteries to power the Xbox Series X controller, saying it provides “flexibility” for players.

According to Microsoft’s Jason Ronald (via Eurogamer), both fan and internal feedback was split on the issue, with half preferring AAs and half preferring a rechargeable internal battery, like those found in Sony’s DualShock controllers. Ronald says the decision to stick with AAs as the default power supply ultimately provides players “flexibility,” as they can use those or purchase a rechargeable battery pack.

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Those in the AA camp generally favor the option for its provided longevity, in terms of both battery and controller life. Fans of internal batteries argue for its convenience — simply plug in and play with no additional cost.

In speaking to Eurogamer, Microsoft also explained its decision to largely keep with the Xbox One controller design, noting players are both happy with and used to it. Though there aren’t many cosmetic differences, the company highlighted a number of changes it made in service to accessibility and performance: the Series X controller is slightly smaller to accommodate more hand sizes, a dedicated button was added to enable convenient game capturing and sharing, and bumpers and triggers now sport a matte finish for improved grip. It also features enhanced Bluetooth capabilities and a more intuitive d-pad.

For more on Microsoft’s next-gen console — including specs, features, and confirmed games — check out IGN’s Xbox Series X wiki. You can also read up on why Xbox Series X looks like a fridge.

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Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN.

A New Anime Streaming Service Will Give You Retro Classics for Free

There’s never been a better time to be an anime fan, with streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Crunchyroll, and Funimation all competing to provide an ever-expanding selection of anime shows and movies for viewers around the world. And now a new player has entered the arena – IGN can exclusively announce the launch of RetroCrush, a new digital streaming service “devoted to streaming classic anime TV and movies, including more than 100 series and 40 features at launch.”

Check out a sizzle reel of some of RetroCrush’s current offerings in the trailer below:

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RetroCrush will be available for free (with ads) from March 30, with apps on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Smart TVs as well as a desktop site at www.retrocrush.tv. What RetroCrush is hoping might differentiate the service from its rivals is a focus on classic anime from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s with a more curated approach, spearheaded by Will Chao and Mary Gibson, with Selin Kilic and John Stack providing acquisitions support.

“What makes this channel exciting is its focus on shows that have exhibited an influence on the creation of the current crop of hit anime series,” said Chao.

Gibson added, “As a longtime anime devotee, I’m always uncovering classic series that are as fun and exciting as many of my current favorites, and we’re eager to share those shows so that other fans can discover them too.”

“Via our distribution partnerships, we are able to provide classic anime fans with a vast library of the best series and films available in the world today,” said David Chu, CEO of Digital Media Rights, the publisher behind the platform. “The launch of RetroCrush further cements our company’s leadership position in the classic anime genre.”

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Check out a selection of the titles available at launch, provided by RetroCrush:

● Devil Lady (TV series, 26 episodes) – A supermodel attacked by a monster which brings her inner devil out is recruited by a secret government agency to help them fight the demonic forces that secretly threaten Japan and the world.

● Creamy Mami (TV series, 52 episodes) – In this anime classic, ordinary schoolgirl Yuu Morisawa leads a double life as the magical singer Creamy Mami.

● Magical Emi, the Magical Star (TV series, 38 episodes) – Elementary student Kozuki Mai is eager (but too young) to be a magician and perform in her family’s magic act. But a magical encounter gives her the power to turn into the 18-year-old magician “Magical Emi.”

● Persia, the Magical Fairy (TV series, 48 episodes) – 11-year-old Persia grows up among the animals of the Serengeti in Africa. Returning to Japan with her family, she is summoned to “Lovely Dream,” the land where dreams are born and grow, to help become its protector.

● Pastel Yumi, the Magical Idol (TV series, 25 episodes) – Gifted with a magic cane and pendant by flower fairies, schoolgirl Yumi can now summon anything she draws with the cane into reality. But her mischievous nature has a way of getting her into trouble sometimes.

● Cybersix – A genetically engineered super-soldier, one of the creations of the former Nazi Dr. Von Reichter’s diabolic experiments, rebels against her creator and vow to protect the world from his evil creations.

● Cat’s Eye – The three Kisugi sisters rob art galleries as the smart and mysterious thief “Cat’s Eye” in the hope that their artist father’s works can give them clues about his mysterious vanishing.

● Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer – In this movie sequel to the beloved ’80s anime series, teen alien Lum and her earthling friends find themselves stuck reliving the same day over and over. Directed by Mamoru Oshii (GHOST IN THE SHELL).

● Black Jack: The Movie – A genius (but unlicensed) surgeon specializes in super-powered mutant medical cases, uncovering a dark conspiracy along the way, in this movie adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s legendary manga.

● Golgo 13: The Movie – This action-packed anime tells the story of a hitman who becomes the target of American soldiers and superhuman killers after killing the son of a powerful oil tycoon.

● Arcadia of My Youth – Returning to Earth from the front lines of an interstellar war, Captain Harlock finds that his home has been occupied by an oppressive alien species, The Illumidus Empire.

● Galaxy Express 999 – The adventures of a brave young boy who travels from planet to planet in a determined quest to avenge his mother’s death.

● Space Adventure Cobra – Based on Buichi Terasawa’s 1978 manga Cobra, specifically on Cobra’s involvement with the Royal Sisters, and his fight against Crystal Boy, which was the first major arc of the manga.

What are you looking forward to watching on RetroCrush? Weigh in below.

Face/Off: 23 Must-Know Details About The John Woo Classic

Face/Off: 23 Must-Know Details About The John Woo Classic – GameSpot

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Do you know what Face/Off and the Super Mario Bros. movie have in common?

Do you know what Face/Off and the Super Mario Bros. movie have in common?

In 1997, Paramount Pictures released Face/Off, an utterly ridiculous action epic starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. Directed by legendary Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo, the film is excessive even by his standards.

The premise is absurd on its face. FBI Agent Sean Archer (Travolta) has the face of high-profile terrorist Castor Troy (Cage) surgically implanted onto him, so that he can double as Troy and go undercover to track down the location of a bomb.

Unfortunately, Troy subsequently has Archer’s face implanted onto him, and poses as the hero FBI agent. And thus, for the next two hours or so, we’re treated to John Travolta acting like an evil Nicolas Cage, and Nicholas Cage acting like a heroic John Travolta. If there was an Oscar for “Most Acting” rather than “Best Acting,” these two would be tied.

Remember that Simpsons episode where Mr. Burns learns that all the deadly diseases in his body have achieved a perfect harmony and are keeping him alive? The same principle applies to Face/Off. Nothing about it should work. But it does, largely due to everyone’s unflagging commitment–Big explosions, bigger gunfights, biggest scenery-chewing performances. Face/Off is widely considered to be the best of Woo’s American-made films and made close to $250 million at the box office.

Here are 23 details and facts you might not know about Face/Off, but definitely should. Note: Any Easter Egg that is not explicitly cited or linked to is attributable to the Face/Off’s DVD/Blu-Ray commentary, in which director John Woo and writers Mike Werb and Michael Colleary did an extensive breakdown of the film.

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1. The Carousel Scene Was Moved To The Beginning

1. The Carousel Scene Was Moved To The Beginning

The opening carousel scene, where Troy accidentally kills Archer’s son, was originally in the middle of the movie. Woo insisted on moving the scene to the beginning, according to an interview on the special edition DVD release. It was, in hindsight, the right move. It establishes our emotional connection to Archer and hatred of Troy, which is necessary because Troy is so over-the-top and funny. Of course, the murder of a child is also a truly shocking way to kick off the movie.

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2. Castor and Pollux

2. Castor and Pollux

Castor Troy’s weaker brother is named Pollux. In ancient Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux were half-brothers who had the same human mother but different fathers: Castor’s father was human, but Pollux’s father was the god of thunder, Zeus. That the film’s writers made Castor the stronger brother was an inversion of expectations–perhaps it was an ironic joke between the brothers.

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3. Lawrence of Los Angeles

3. Lawrence of Los Angeles

The shot of Nicholas Cage’s coat rippling in the wind was inspired by Peter O’Toole’s robe in the 1962 dramatic epic Lawrence of Arabia.

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4. Carved Dragons

4. Carved Dragons

John Woo states that Castor’s carved golden guns were Cage’s idea–particularly the dragons carved in the handles. This is because Cage was born in 1964. On the Chinese Zodiac calendar, this is the Year of the Dragon.

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5. Steering Wheel Initials

5. Steering Wheel Initials

The steering wheel has the initials JW on it, which is an explicit reference to director John Woo.

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6. Dual Pistol Jump

6. Dual Pistol Jump

Firing two pistols while jumping through the air is a signature John Woo shot that has since been used in countless other action movies, and has even appeared in video games like Max Payne. Woo also uses his signature shot in movies like Hard Boiled, starring Chow Yun-Fat, and Mission Impossible 2, starring Tom Cruise.

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7. Real Stunts

7. Real Stunts

When watching Face/Off, it’s important to remember that it was released in 1997. CGI was not as sophisticated as it is today, and many of the most eye-popping sequences were practical effects. The plane that Troy crashes into the hangar area? Completely real. Woo shot this scene from 13 different camera angles to ensure he got the footage he wanted; he knew he wouldn’t have another opportunity.

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8. Causes of Castor's Coma

8. Causes of Castor’s Coma

The filmmakers went through several different ideas to put Castor in a coma. One of the originally proposed (but abandoned) ideas was for Castor to fall out of an air traffic control tower. It was rejected, because from a logical, narrative standpoint, such a fall would involve too many broken bones.

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9. Animatronic Bodies

9. Animatronic Bodies

During the surgery sequence, the bodies of Troy and Archer are actually latex dummies with animatronic features, which simulated breathing and facial movements. There are several Reddit posts that show the original Travolta and Cage torsos on display; they are undeniably creepy looking.

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10. Plumber Boots

10. Plumber Boots

The magnetic boots that Archer wears in the prison are the same boots that the Goombas wear in the movie Super Mario Bros. They were simply repurposed for Face/Off.

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11. A Lesson In Mimicry

11. A Lesson In Mimicry

Cage and Travolta got together before the filming began to develop Archer and Troy’s characters. Specifically, they planned out and exaggerated each character’s mannerisms and tics beforehand, like their hand motions or vocal cadences. That way, when they “switched” faces, they could more easily slip into one another’s roles.

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12. Travolta Insults Himself

12. Travolta Insults Himself

This learning-by-doing approach to character development allowed Travolta and Cage to improvise. According to Travolta, he added several lines where he insulted himself; the crack about his “ridiculous chin” was his idea.

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13. The Ingen Company

13. The Ingen Company

In the prison during Archer’s escape, you can see a cabinet marked “Ingen.” Ingen is the genetic research company in Jurassic Park, which researches how to clone dinosaurs. That makes Ingen the world heavyweight champion in using cutting-edge technology toward questionable ends. It also potentially means Face/Off and Jurassic Park exist in the same universe.

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14. Tribute to Spielberg

14. Tribute to Spielberg

The shark that Eve places on her son’s tombstone is Woo’s tribute to Steve Spielberg’s classic thriller film Jaws. Woo is a huge admirer of Spielberg’s work, specifically Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

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15. Writer Cameo

15. Writer Cameo

Mike Werb, the co-writer of Face/Off’s screenplay, cameos as the concerned father during the hospital scene, when Eve receives a call from Archer-as-Troy for the first time.

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16. Getting Drunk

16. Getting Drunk

The filmmakers used real whiskey on set during the scene where Archer-as-Troy returns to the loft, which helped everyone get into character.

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17. Fingers Down The Face

17. Fingers Down The Face

Archer has this gross, awkward move, where he brushes his fingers down the center of his loved ones’ faces to say “I love you.” The daughter even does this to the poor kid at the end of the film; he’s already traumatized enough. On the commentary, John Woo refers to this move as the “love touch.”

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18. Doves

18. Doves

Doves during action scenes are another Woo signature. Woo attributed his use of doves to celebrating the hero’s purity of heart, in an interview with Premiere Magazine:

“I love doves. I am a Christian. Doves represent the purity of love, beauty. They’re spiritual. Also the dove is a messenger between people and God.”

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19. The Boat Scene Was Legit

19. The Boat Scene Was Legit

The climactic boat chase was done with practical effects, which looks great but has its own drawbacks. A stuntman nearly died in the process of filming the scene; he almost got run over by the boat while in the water, and his leg, which took the brunt of the blow, swelled up so much that the crew had to cut him out of his pants.

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20. The Ending Was Almost Different

20. The Ending Was Almost Different

Face/Off ends with Archer adopting Troy’s son. Originally, the movie ended without the adoption, but the test audience responded negatively. So the studio spent a lot of money to rehire John Travolta, Joan Allen, and Dominique Swain, and they shot the ending we see now. As it turns out, the adoption ending was also the screenwriters’ original intent.

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21. Castor Troy Is In Archer's Head, Alternate Ending

21. Castor Troy Is In Archer’s Head, Alternate Ending

The special edition DVD of Face/Off includes an alternate ending that’s more ambiguous than the storybook ending we got in theaters. Archer looks in the bathroom mirror, and his wife sees Troy’s face instead of her husband’s. Later, when they hug, Archer makes Troy’s signature smirk behind her back.

How are we supposed to interpret this? It echoes back to what Troy said to Archer right before he died: “Every time when you look in the mirror, you’ll see my face.” Whether Troy is possessing Archer supernaturally or only symbolically, this is definitely a sadder, creepier ending than the crowd-pleaser we got.

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22. Oscar Inspiration

22. Oscar Inspiration

Director Alan Mak confirmed in an interview with Hong Kong Cinemagic that his Hong Kong action movie classic, Infernal Affairs, was inspired by Face/Off. However, Mak thought the sci-fi aspect of switching faces was too extreme. So instead, he came up with the idea of simply reversing the two characters’ roles: the cop would pretend to be a Triad, and the Triad would pretend to be a cop.

Martin Scorsese would later remake Infernal Affairs as The Departed, which won the Oscar for Best Picture and gave director Martin Scorsese his first Oscar for Best Directing.

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23. A Reboot?

23. A Reboot?

In early September, Paramount Pictures announced they would be producing a remake of Face/Off with a new cast. The studio has not announced the director or the lead actors, but Oren Uziel, who wrote 21 Jump Street and will be writing the upcoming Detective Pikachu 2, is writing the screenplay.

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Disclosure: ViacomCBS is GameSpot’s parent company


Check Out This New Super Mega Baseball 3 Trailer Before Its April Launch

After revealing the game earlier this month, developer Metalhead Software has dropped a brand-new overview video for its upcoming arcade sports simulator Super Mega Baseball 3.

The two-minute video goes into the “big picture changes” between Super Mega Baseball 2 and the upcoming sequel, which is coming to Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in April 2020. Namely, the studio focused on some of SMB3’s new accessibility and customization features, allowing configurations for “new players to just sit down and hammer [homeruns] all the way up to a level that only the game’s very best players will be able to handle.”

You can check out the game’s overview video below. Metahead also confirmed that more videos are coming in the future that will discuss SMB3’s “various new features and changes.”

A definitive release date, aside from the vague April 2020 window, has not been provided. However, when SMB3 does launch on consoles and PC, it will retail for $45.

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

The Toll Review: A Rideshare Gone Wrong

There are many reasons why you could be scared to get in a rideshare. You’re putting your trust in a stranger who knows more about you than you know about them, and you have no control over the vehicle where you are both confined. But what if, on top of having a driver making increasingly uncomfortable conversation, they take an unexpected turn, before the car mysteriously breaks down in the middle of a dark road in the woods that look straight out of The Blair Witch Project? That’s the premise of the new horror film, The Toll, which was set to make its world premiere at the SXSW film festival, and is a minimalistic yet effective horror tale which sadly strays too far from its promising start.

The main character is Cami (Jordan Hayes), who we meet after she exits the airport and gets in a rideshare on her way to visit her divorced father. It may be that she’s tired from her flight, or it may be that her driver Spencer (Max Topplin) is a bit too inquisitive and has a thing for inappropriate jokes that could be interpreted as threatening, but the longer the ride goes, the more uncomfortable and alert she grows. The entire first act of the film is just Hayes and Topplin in a claustrophobic car ride, and it is a credit to the film’s writing and the performances of both actors that the audience doesn’t really know what to think of Spencer. Yes, he seems a bit weird, but he admits to being socially awkward and bad with people, which makes him a bit endearing, too.

Topplin easily makes his character sympathetic with seemingly genuine attempts at trying to make small-talk and has enough excuses to make us believe he does care for the safety and comfort of his passenger. Credit should go to Hayes’ performance, which balances sympathy while making you want to stay at arm’s length. You fully understand why Cami takes out her pepper spray, as the film’s editing intercuts closeup shots of Spencer and Cami with shots of the claustrophobic vehicle completely isolated on the empty road to increase tension.

When Spencer takes an unfamiliar turn, the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, and The Toll shifts tonal gears to enter the supernatural, as the entity known as The Toll Man starts messing with the two unfortunate souls trapped in his path. Writer/director Michael Nader makes his feature debut with a film that’s all about paranoia, whether it’s about being paranoid of the other person in the car, or supernatural creatures lurking in the shadows. Once the creepy messages telling of The Toll Man start showing up out of nowhere, Spencer suddenly stops seeming like a serial killer, and the uncomfortable rideshare turns into a fight for survival.

The Toll is all about simplicity, and Nader knows how to use the tools at his disposal for all they’re worth. Eerie atmospheric music by Torin Borrowdale creates tension even when the characters think they’re safe, and cinematographer Jordan Kennington ups the creepy imagery ante by making the small stretch of road look like a massive labyrinthine forest full of danger. Though there’s not much in terms of flashy effects or even characters, the film makes it work by always staying close to Cami and Spencer in their little corner of hell even as what looks like creepy mannequins with smiley faces start showing up to signal the arrival of the Toll Man. Nader wears his influences on his sleeve, from a creature that both resembles Slenderman and has a background that could fit the creepypasta figure, to the characters literally taking the time to discuss the 2008 film The Strangers as if it were a decades-old horror classic.

Though The Toll starts out promising and creepy, once the story takes a supernatural turn, Nader also explores the backstories for the characters, in what seems like an attempt to make the film a story of gaslighting and rape victims not being believed. The problem is that Nader has neither the necessary tact nor the ability to effectively weave these themes with the horror of the plot as the film wants you to believe. Instead, this subplot feels like low-hanging fruit that instantly becomes an afterthought, a lazy attempt to justify the paranoia and mistrust between the characters.

The Toll works best when it is simply about the fears of being in a car with someone you don’t know, and how every little thing becomes a cause for suspicions. When stripped bare, Nader’s debut is an effective horror debut, but when the film tries to shift tonal gears, it becomes a little too busy.

Batman v Superman: Snyder Discusses Martian Manhunter and Martha

Zack Snyder has joined a growing list of filmmakers and artists who have taken to social media to help entertain fans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Snyder marked the fourth anniversary of the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice by releasing a new director’s commentary track for the Ultimate Cut of the divisive DC movie.

As spotted by The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder’s live commentary track was released on the Vero app over the weekend. It sheds light on some of the lingering questions surrounding the film and what Snyder refers to as a five-movie story arc (which, of course, was cut short when Snyder left Justice League and was replaced by Joss Whedon). Read on for the most interesting revelations from this new commentary track.

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Martian Manhunter: Hiding In Plain Sight

One of the more noteworthy reveals came as Snyder confirmed Harry Lennix’s character, Lt. General Calvin Swanwick, was intended to be Martian Manhunter in disguise. Though the reveal was being saved for a later movie, Snyder said it was planned as far back as Swanwick’s first appearance in Man of Steel. Lennix himself was apparently aware of that twist and tailored his performance accordingly.

Jimmy Olsen’s Death

As for the controversial choice to kill off Michael Cassidy’s Jimmy Olsen early in the film, Snyder argued for the importance of taking Superman’s pal off the board early, saying all the deaths in his DC movies are meant to create lasting repercussions. Snyder hinted Jimmy’s death would have affected future movies in a way that we don’t see in the finished version of Justice League, creating a chain reaction of cause and effect. Snyder also revealed that he originally envisioned a much more in-depth action sequence when Superman arrives to rescue Lois in Africa.

Wonder Woman’s Past

In one of the more interesting behind-the-scenes DCEU tidbits, Snyder revealed 2017’s Wonder Woman wasn’t always intended to be set during World War I. While the idea that Gal Gadot’s Diana was active long before Batman and Superman was always part of the plan, the filmmakers discussed anchoring her origin story in even older conflicts like the American Civil War or the Crimean War. Apparently there were other even other versions of the photo Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne uncovers of Diana and her team, in case one of those other conflicts was used instead.

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Batman’s Knightmare

Snyder also shed more light on the surreal “Knightmare” sequence, where Bruce dreams of a hellish future where Superman has become a servant of Apokolips. Snyder reiterated that this sequence was intended to set the stage for his two Justice League movies. At some point in this five-movie arc, Lois Lane would have been killed, dealing a crushing blow to Superman and making him vulnerable to Darkseid’s influence. That’s the catalyst for the dystopian world seen in this flash-forward/dream sequence.

The reason Bruce sees Ezra Miller’s Flash is that the future versions of Batman and Cyborg are trying to find the right point in time to send Barry back and prevent Lois’ death. Barry’s trip through time creates a rift which allows the world of the future to briefly bleed into the present. Fans would even have seen Barry use his Cosmic Treadmill while travelling through time.

The Martha Controversy

Love it or hate it, Batman v Superman is arguably most remembered for the moment when the Dark Knight nearly kills the Man of Steel, only to be stopped dead in his tracks when he hears the name “Martha.” Snyder defended this scene, arguing the point wasn’t that Batman and Superman have mothers with the same name, but that hearing the name shocks Batman back into reality. It allows him to see Superman as a real person with a family and a life of his own, rather than a faceless monster to be defeated. Batman realizes in this scene that he’s about to become every bit as evil as the man who killed his parents, but is instead able to pull himself from the brink and regain his own sense of humanity. This is embodied in the image of Batman’s damaged helmet, which shows the man emerging from beneath the armor.

For more on DC’s abandoned movie plans, find out what Snyder has to say about the existence of the long-rumored “Snyder Cut” and the real reason Affleck dropped out of The Batman. Then see where Affleck falls in our ranking of all the movie Batmans.

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Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Artifact 2.0 Beta Gameplay Changes Detailed, Valve Will No Longer Sell Cards

With Half-Life: Alyx out the door, Valve is ready to talk about Artifact again, including details about the upcoming Beta 2.0. While details are still sparse, Valve revealed some key early details including how Artifact cards and packs will no longer be sold but instead earned through gameplay.

Despite a relatively positive reception upon launch, Artifact’s player count soon crumbled. One of the key complaints about Valve’s Dota 2 card game was around the controversial marketplace which attempted to digitize the card-buying experience.

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Valve soon announced there were “deep-rooted issues” with Artifact that required a drastic overhaul instead of incremental updates. Valve founder Gabe Newell even told IGN that Artifact was a “giant disappointment” for the company.

Another gameplay change coming to Artifact is giving players access to all three lanes at once. Like in Dota 2, Artifact utilizes a lane mechanic that’s reminiscent of the MOBA. However, players were only able to access one lane at a time. This will apparently no longer be the case.

There will also be a Hero Draft mode that will let players experiment with deck constructions without the pressure of having to worry about the ranked ladder.

Valve says invites will be prioritized to players who purchased the first Artifact, and selection into the Beta will then be given out randomly. Decks from the original version will no longer be valid due to some individual cards being either changed, removed, or brand new.

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There will also be some kind of microtransaction for Artifact 2.0, but Valve says “none of them are cards/packs,” so it could be something related to cosmetics.

Valve recently released Half-Life: Alyx, a VR-prequel to Half-Life 2 that IGN awarded a perfect score, calling it a benchmark for VR gaming. Check out IGN’s full coverage, including an in-depth interview with Newell.

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Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Binge It! The Outsider Is a Creepy Supernatural Crime Drama

The Outsider is currently available on HBO, HBO Go and HBO Now.

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There’s been a deluge of crime drama to consume over the past few years, so it’s actually a little hard for me to really recommend something since there’s already so much content out there. But that’s what makes HBO’s The Outsider stand out; it’s definitely not just a crime drama, but a creepy, supernatural whodunit with a sprinkling of the typical police procedural.

Binge It! Netflix’s The Letter for the King Is YA Game of Thrones, and It’s Great

On the surface, The Outsider (based on the Stephen King novel of the same name) is standard detective fare: a brutal murder, a tortured hero cop (Ben Mendelsohn), and the likable suspect who—despite damning evidence—maintains his innocence (Jason Batemen, who also directs the first two episodes). That’s not what made me binge the 10 episodes of this show, however. What really hooked me in is when The Outsider introduced the more otherworldly elements, brought to the forefront by the show’s quirky private investigator, Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo).

The show tries very hard to ground itself in the real world, which is why I think the supernatural stuff works so well. It’s mysterious and unsettling, especially set against the backdrop of a small rural town. It’s easy to see how the characters, especially Mendelsohn’s Detective Ralph Anderson, can be so hesitant to accept that seemingly disparate acts of violence are not only linked, but are the workings of something beyond their understanding, something perhaps not of this world.

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Unfortunately, it’s up in the air as to whether The Outsider will get a second season; the show was originally pitched as a limited series and they pretty much wrap up the story from the novel in one season. But that might please some of you out there who are looking for a one-and-done story, and you’ll be able to get your fill in The Outsider’s 10 episodes.

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Binge It! is IGN’s recommendation series. Movies, TV shows, books, comics, music… if you can binge it, we’re here to talk about it. In each installment of Binge It!, we’ll discuss a piece of content we’re passionate about — and why you should check it out.

The Elder Scrolls Online Gets Free Play Period On PS4, Xbox One, And PC

If you’re stuck at home with not much to do and looking for an online game to get into, we’ve got some good news for you: Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls Online is offering free access to its base game on PS4, Xbox One, and PC in April. From April 1 to April 13, you can play The Elder Scrolls Online for free on PS4 and Xbox One, while Steam’s free play event runs only until April 6.

The Elder Scrolls Online’s free play event includes the game’s Greymoor Prologue, which is a preview of the game’s Greymoor Chapter. The upcoming DLC releases May 18 for PC and Mac and June 2 for Xbox One and PS4.

This free play period also coincides with the game’s Anniversary Jubilee event, which offers opportunities for double XP, exclusive rewards, and delicious cake to celebrate the game’s sixth birthday. If you’ve played The Elder Scrolls Online in any previous free events, you’ll be able to continue your progression as normal. Additionally, new ESO accounts will receive 500 crowns to spend in the game’s premium currency shop.

The Elder Scrolls Online sale

In addition to the free play event, both the standard edition and Elsewyr Chapter for The Elder Scrolls Online will get steep discounts in case you want to keep playing. Crowns Packs are also on sale, but you better act quickly if you want to save–that premium currency promotion ends April 6 on Xbox One and PC. It lasts until April 15 on PS4.

Deals on The Elder Scrolls Online will begin at different times depending on your platform. You can check dates and where to buy below.

Xbox One

On Xbox One, the standard edition is already on sale for $8 (was $20) until April 15. The Elsweyr Chapter will be discounted from April 3 until April 15.

PS4

On PS4, both the standard edition and Elsweyr Chapter will be on sale from April 1 until April 15.

PC

PC players can take advantage of discounts on both the standard edition and Elsweyr Chapter from March 31 until April 15.

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