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HBO’s The Last of Us TV series will have a 10-episode first season, writer and producer Craig Mazin has confirmed.

Culture Crave shared the episode count for the upcoming HBO series after it was revealed by Mazin during a recent appearance on the Scriptnotes podcast, in which he featured as a guest to discuss the process of prepping for an entire season of television. “We have five directors across 10 episodes,” Mazin revealed around the 17:40 mark.

He also indicated that they had figured out all of the pairings for the episodes in terms of the directors of photography and individual episode directors, though he didn’t speak any further on those matches. It was previously reported that Ali Abbasi, Kantemir Balagov, and Jasmila Zbanic will be stepping behind the camera to helm episodes of the TV series adaptation.

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With production kicking off this month, Mazin also touched on the show’s shooting schedule and some of the considerations surrounding that. In doing so, he revealed that the show will be mostly set during daylight hours due to the logistics of filming at night when Calgary only has about “4 and a half hours of proper dark” to shoot nighttime scenes in right now.

The Last of Us game creator Neil Druckmann is working as both a writer and executive producer alongside Mazin. Druckmann says the series will stay pretty close to the game at places, but other parts may “deviate greatly” because TV is a different medium. The drama between the characters is said to be one of the areas the series will explore further.

Those characters include Joel and Ellie, played by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey respectively, together with Joel’s daughter Sarah (Nico Parker), Joel’s brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna), and Marlene (Merle Dandridge). The actress portraying Marlene is the same person who voiced the character in The Last of Us and during a flashback in The Last of Us Part II.

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In addition to The Last of Us TV series, Sony is also working on an Uncharted movie starring Tom Holland as Nathan Drake. The movie is set to hit theaters on February 18, 2022. PlayStation boss Jim Ryan has already stated that these two Naughty Dog adaptations are “just the beginning” of PlayStation’s efforts to expand into other mediums.

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Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

The Nintendo Switch OLED model comes with a new dock that includes a built-in LAN port, and this new dock will be sold separately for anyone who wants it.

A spokesperson for Nintendo told Digital Trends that white and black versions of the dock will be sold through the Nintendo online store, but not at retail. The dock doesn’t come with an HDMI cable or an AC adapter, and it will be delivered in no special packaging. Pricing for the standalone dock was not divulged, nor was a release date.

The regular Switch dock is available from the Nintendo store for $60.

The new docks from the OLED mode work with the standard Switch. It might be an attractive proposition for players who want to play or download games from a wired connection for presumably better, more consistent speeds. Nintendo does already sell a LAN adapter for the existing dock, but the built-in option could be considered more elegant. While the new OLED Switch dock has a LAN connection, it loses one of its USB ports, in case that matters to you.

The Nintendo Switch OLED launches on October 8 for $350 USD. The biggest new feature is its 7″ OLED screen, and it is seemingly aimed at people who really enjoy handheld mode. It is not the rumored “Pro” model that remains unannounced, though not ruled out.

For more, check out GameSpot’s video above where we discuss everything that’s new with the Nintendo Switch OLED. You can also read GameSpot’s breakdown of why the Switch OLED is coming now, featuring insights and analysis from video game analysts.

Rockstar has outlined more details about its Red Dead Online: Blood Money update coming next week and debuted a slick new trailer showing the daring heist in action. The free update will drop on July 13, bringing new mission types, more cosmetic rewards, and a big update for GeForce RTX users, who will receive DLSS support for RDO and Red Dead Redemption 2.

According to the Rockstar blog, Blood Money revolves around the riches of Angelo Bronte. Bronte’s lieutenant Guido Martelli is seeking gunslingers to recover Capitale, a special currency Bronte devised for use on the black market. It’s gotten spread out among various criminal factions throughout the West, and Bronte wants it all back.

To recover the riches, you can take on a new type of mission called Crimes. Those include all sorts of nefarious deeds like kidnapping, shakedowns, and holdups. Those Crimes will net you regular rewards, but you can also scour hidden chests or dead bodies for Capitale. You may also hear about caches of Capitale when roaming around the open world. Collecting enough Capitale for the bosses will open new Opportunities, specialized missions to disrupt a politician causing problems for Bronte. The first one will open on July 13, and two more will come in the future.

The free update adds some goodies outside of the story content as well. The Quick Draw Club will let you show off your skills and earn special rewards, including gold bars and Dutch’s outfit, the Redcliff. Rockstar will also be adding new outfits to the shop over the coming weeks and months, including ones modeled after Marston and Arthur. A few Skill and Satchel pamphlets that were previously exclusive to the Outlaw Pass, like the ability to fast travel from a wilderness camp, will be placed on sale at the general store.

Finally, the July 13 update will add Nvidia DLSS support for PC players with compatible GeForce RTX cards. That will allow you to enjoy improved frame rates without a major sacrifice of image quality.

If you play Madden each year for the single-player experience, then it sounds like you’re in luck for Madden 22. EA is delivering a major overhaul for Face of the Franchise, complete with a few features that sound like they were inspired by a certain baseball series.

As explained by senior design director Ryan Santos in the latest All Access Trailer video, this year’s mode will begin with a prologue called Road to the Draft, which sees you as a college player who has just competed in the College Football Playoff and is gearing up for a short at the NFL. You’ll work out for a team prior to being selected, and choices you make–both on and off the field–can affect where you’re selected.

There’s also a new class progression system available within the game’s customization hub. You can give your avatar special abilities to fit your unique playstyle, and there are also archetypes similar to the ones in MLB The Show, which are based on existing players. “The General,” for example is based on Tom Brady and gives you tools for running an effective offense and making passes within the pocket. Patrick Mahomes’ “The Magician,” meanwhile, lets you detect defenses and make effective decisions both in and out of the pocket.

Alongside the major offensive positions many select in the mode–quarterback, wide receiver, and halfback–you can also play as a linebacker in this mode and there are unique archetypes there, too. You can choose from the “Hawk,” who excels in the middle of the field to maintain control, or the “Infiltrator,” which wasn’t detailed in the trailer but will presumably focus on making tackles for a loss.

With a unified progression system, you’ll have additional ways to level up and improve your player, and more details should be shared prior to Madden 22 launching on August 20. The game is available via the MVP Edition on August 17, and it will release on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, Stadia and PC. It will also include unique features for all NFL stadiums when momentum shifts during a game.

The tech company Simulmedia, which operatres an in-game ad platform called PlayerWON, recently made headlines when one of its executives said in an interview that it had signed a deal with Electronic Arts. The FIFA publisher has since confirmed that is not true, and it has no plans for in-game ads on its console games, but PlayerWON is a real product that its creator believes will become very commonplace in the future.

Simulmedia’s Dave Madden explained and defended PlayerWON in a blog post recently. He said the PlayerWON platform takes the learnings from WildTangent’s BrandBoost ad platform that he helped create when he worked there and applies them more deeply for console games.

“Now it’s time for advertising in video games to take another evolutionary leap forward,” he said.

Simulmedia already has an ad platform for TV that started in 2008, and the company is now looking to extend this to gaming.

PlayerWON is described as the first “opt-in-only, player-controlled, full-screen, in-game advertising experience to reach and reward Free to Play (F2P) PC and console gamers.”

Simulmedia CEO and founder Dave Morgan stressed that the opt-in nature is the key component to the platform. “The introduction of advertising into these massive and fast-emerging media platforms will require managing a delicate balance centered on a single, simple and unbreakable precept: The gamer is in charge,” he said.

PlayerWON will never show you an ad unless you opt-in. If you do select an ad-based experience, you can always skip the ad if you don’t want to watch it.

To encourage people to watch the ads, PlayerWON is teaming with game developers to give viewers in-game rewards that “enhance their personal experience without giving them an unfair gaming advantage” over those who chose not to watch the ad. This sounds like the rewards will be cosmetic in nature, but no official details are available. Simulmedia also stressed that in-game ads will only display during “down time” in games.

Also in the blog post, Madden said Simulmedia conducted surveys where people who enjoy free-to-play games indicated they wanted to have the option to earn extra in-game content in exchange for watching a 15- or 30-second ad.

PlayerWON’s ads will differ from what you might be aware of on mobile. The console-based in-game ads will be “TV-quality brand advertisements” that are described as “premium, fully immersive creative.”

“Our experience complements gameplay instead of competing with it like dynamic in-game billboards do,” Madden explained.

Madden went on to say that developers can benefit, too, as the PlayerWON ads will encourage players to engage with the content more than they might have otherwise because they know a guaranteed reward is coming. Additionally, due to the fact that the majority of people who play free-to-play titles never spend money, signing up with PlayerWON’s ad platform can help developers make money another way, Madden said.

Madden said PlayerWON is already in use in “several” PC and console games, though he did not name them outright. More games are signing on for the ad platform all the time, Madden said.

“Indeed, we expect our model to become the de facto new standard for console, PC and cross- platform games in the next 12 to 24 months,” Madden said.

Now, it’s no surprise to hear Madden speak so positively and enthusiastically about the PlayerWON model, as the business hinges on getting more people to sign up. It remains to be seen how the platform will be received by fans. After all, in-game ads for console games are known to be controversial.

If you have a PS5, Xbox Series X, or any other device that can play 4K UHD Blu-rays, here’s a good deal for you. Amazon’s Deal of the Day drops prices on a handful of excellent sci-fi movies to $17.99. That’s up to 57% off list price on movies like The Matrix, Inception, Blade Runner 2049, and more. The deals only last until midnight, so if you see something you want, scoop it up before then. 

It’s worth noting that most of these movies come with a Movies Anywhere-compatible digital copy. Movies Anywhere is a service that lets you watch your digital movies on just about any streaming service you can buy movies from. That includes Amazon Video, Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV, and more. It’s a super useful service, and it’s totally free. I highly recommend using it. Anyway, on with the sales.

4K UHD Movie Discounts, Today Only

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Chris Reed is a commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed.

Farming Simulator 22 is ready to show off its gameplay this month, as developer Giants Software will reveal a first look at the game at this year’s FarmCon from July 21-23.

“Viewers will get a deeper look into already announced features like production chains and witness the reveal of even more content and unannounced gameplay mechanics,” Giants said in a press release for the online event, which will be live-streamed through its Twitch channel.

The first day of FarmCon will kick off with a look at seasonal changes and the new US map Elmcreek, while day two will feature the gameplay premiere and other new features. Day three will end the event with a deep dive into new crops, customization, and an actual bale-stacking challenge with real tractors.

Beyond that, players can tune in for some competition from July 24-25 with the Farming Simulator League continuing its third season action, paving the way for a tournament finale. Yes, this is an actual and popular thing.

FarmCon 2021 schedule

• July 21: Highlights seasonal changes, the new US map Elmcreek, a look behind the scenes of the cinematic trailer, and more.
• July 22: Will focus on the gameplay premiere of Farming Simulator 22, the Giants Engine 9, and its vast improvements and brand-new features.
• July 23: Three new crops, various customization options, and sound improvements. Also, a bale-stacking challenge with real tractors.
• July 24-25: Reserved for the Farming Simulator League and will see the competitive esports league continue with season 3. The tournament finale will stream live on July 25.

Farming Simulator 22 will be released on November 22 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Stadia.

The first images from Army of Thieves have been released. The movie is a prequel to Zack Snyder’s recent Netflix hit Army of the Dead and will also be released by the streaming giant.

The movie is directed by and stars Matthias Schweighöfer, and will tell the origin story of his Army of the Dead character, the safe-cracker Ludwig Dieter. There are fives images so far, showing Dieter doing what he does best, plus various members of the ensemble cast. Check them out below:

Army of Thieves also stars Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones), Ruby O. Fee (Polar), Stuart Martin (Babylon), Guz Khan (Man Like Mobeen), Jonathan Cohen (La Flamme), and Noémie Nakai (Never Let Me Go). It’s written by Snyder and Shay Hatton, who also co-wrote Army of the Dead. The film doesn’t have a release date yet, but Netflix states that it’s “coming soon,” so hopefully that means this year.

A synopsis for the movie has also been revealed, which reads, “in this prequel to Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, small-town bank teller Dieter gets drawn into the adventure of a lifetime when a mysterious woman recruits him to join a crew of Interpol’s most wanted criminals, attempting to heist a sequence of legendary, impossible-to-crack safes across Europe.”

Army of Thieves isn’t the only Army of the Dead spin-off heading to Netflix. There’s also an animated show titled Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas in the works, with a voicecast that includes Christian Slater, Vanessa Hudgens, Joe Manganiello, Tig Notaro, and Dave Bautista.

In related news, it was recently reported that Snyder’s next movie will be a sci-fi epic titled Rebel Moon. The film will be produced by Netflix and once more co-written by Hatton. It’s reportedly based on a Star Wars pitch Snyder made around the time Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, but that went no further than that.

You may remember that that Capcom has been accused of copying a monster design for one of the game’s boss fights – and a modder has taken it into their own hands to correct the alleged copyright infringement in an extremely silly way.

Light spoilers for a Resident Evil VIllage follow.

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The monster design in question was that of Sturm, a Heisenberg test subject who had most of their torso replaced with an aircraft engine, complete with propeller. It bore a striking resemblance to a monster from 2013 horror movie Frankenstein’s Army, with creator Richard Raaphorst pointing out the resemblance on LinkedIn.

Created by Pumpkinhook and posted on Nexus Mods, ‘Copyright Free Sturm’ aims to fix the issue by… replacing Sturm with a generic standing fan. As the mod description reads, it’s “A copyright free version of Sturm! no copyright infringement here!” You can check out the mod in action below:

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Should you want this (slightly less frightening) new Sturm in your copy of the game, all you’ll need are Pumpkinhook’s mod and the Fluffy mod manager.

As for the actual Sturm design, neither Capcom or Raaphorst have publicly commented on the issue since the director’s allegations were first made, with Capcom failing to provide a statement to IGN subsequently.

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Joe Skrebels is IGN’s Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

While not everyone may want to upgrade to the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model), Nintendo will be making its new dock, which features a wired LAN port, available for purchase.

Nintendo confirmed the news to Digital Trends while also revealing that the new dock will not be sold at retail stores like Best Buy and GameStop, but will instead need to be purchased on the Nintendo Online Store.

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“The white dock and black dock will be sold separately (no HDMI cable, no AC adaptor, not in a package) on the Nintendo online store. It will not be sold at retail,” Nintendo said in a statement.

The current Nintendo Switch Dock can be purchased on the Nintendo Online Store for $59.99 USD, but Nintendo has yet to give any indication as to whether the new dock will replace the old one, or if it will see a price increase. The company also offers refurbished docks for $39.99 USD.

The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) was officially unveiled yesterday, and it features a larger 7-inch OLED screen, a wider, adjustable base stand, enhanced audio, 64GB of internal storage, and the previously mentioned new dock with a wired LAN port.

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This new Switch will be released on October 8, 2021, and while pre-orders are not yet live, we’ve created a guide to help you learn all you need to secure one.

For more, check out our look at why, even though the Switch OLED may not be the Switch Pro, it is still a very Nintendo Move, and our explainer of why OLED over LCD is a big change.

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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.