GameStop Loses $63 Million, May Team Up With AMC As Stock Price Falls

Video game retailer GameStop, which has become a “meme stock” in recent months thanks in part to Reddit traders, has announced its latest earnings–and it was a mixed bag.

The company made $1.18 billion in revenue, which was up from $942 million in revenue during the same quarter last year. However, GameStop did not post a profit. The company had a loss of $61.6 million, which is an improvement over the company’s loss of $111.3 million for the same period last year.

For the six-month period, meanwhile, GameStop made $2.46 billion in revenue, up from $1.96 billion, and had a loss of $128.4 million, compared to a loss of $277 million during the first half the year prior. The launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, along with the enduring popularity of the Switch, might have helped GameStop’s revenue in the past year.

Looking deeper into the earnings report, GameStop said it had $1.775 billion in cash on hand, and the bulk of this came from GameStop’s decision in June to issue 5 million shares of common stock, generating $1.1 billion in the process. This money, as announced previously, will be used for corporate purposes and for its growth initiatives.

On an earnings call, GameStop management said it had 4,642 stores globally at the end of the quarter, which is down from the year before due to the retailer’s decision to close stores that amounted to about 9% of its total store count. CEO Matt Furlong appeared on the earnings call, but only spoke for seven minutes to run through the earnings numbers. There was no question-and-answer session with analysts.

GameStop is looking to grow in the future. It recently signed a lease on a 530,000 square-foot fulfillment center in Reno, Nevada, which is expected to be operational in 2022. It adds to GameStop’s 700,000 square foot facility in York, Pennsylvania, which started shipping products during the quarter. When the Reno facility opens, it will give GameStop coverage on both coasts of the US for the first time in the company’s history to help expand its product offerings and speed up shipping.

In the wake of GameStop’s sales report, the company’s stock price dropped by around 7%.

In another development, another so-called “meme stock” that surged earlier this year thanks to Reddit’s WallStreetBets, the movie theater chain AMC, might be cooking up a partnership of some kind with GameStop. CEO Adam Aron told Fox Business that AMC’s new public investors called on AMC to work with GameStop in some capacity, and as a result of this, Aron opened discussions with GameStop.

“We have made contact with GameStop. We are talking. But it’s too early to say what the shape of what some cooperative marketing efforts might be,” Aron said.

No Time To Die Director Says One Character Isn’t Who You Think They Are

No Time to Die director Cary Joji Fukunaga has addressed one popular fan theory about a Bond 25 character.

In an interview with SFX Magazine, Fukunaga dispelled rumors that Rami Malek’s Safin in No Time to Die is a rebooted version of Dr. No, the original Bond baddie from the franchise’s first movie back in 1962, insisting that Safin is, in fact, an all-new villain albeit one that he hopes will have an enduring impact in James Bond’s extensive gallery of rogues.

“Everyone thinks it’s so easy to make these tentpole films, that it’s just formulaic and you just plug-and-play and people are going to show up for the cinema,” Fukunaga explained. “It takes a lot of smart people to create these films, and also to create these characters that will hopefully last. This is a new villain. He’s not, as some have speculated, Dr. No. Hopefully, he’ll be one that is lasting in some way.”

Fukunaga recalled some of the early development meetings he had with Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to create No Time to Die’s villain and the challenges they faced in coming up with an entirely new antagonist, knowing there’s a possibility that the character could end up being parodied and not taken seriously.

“Making a villain that doesn’t seem laughable, that you can take seriously, where it’s still frightening what they’re attempting to do and why they must be stopped, is more difficult than people actually acknowledge,” Fukunaga admitted. “I remember us sitting around early in the development stage. Barbara and Michael have been doing this for decades and even Barbara admitted, ‘This is really hard!'”

It’s worth noting that a number of fans correctly identified Christoph Waltz’s “Franz Oberhauser” as Bond’s archnemesis Ernest Stavro Blofeld in Spectre before that movie hit theaters in 2015, even though Waltz himself maintained that his character was “definitely not” Blofeld on the lead up to the movie’s release.

Little is known about the mask-wearing Safin, other than the fact that he is a “mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology,” who may be “007’s most terrifying adversary yet.” All will be revealed when No Time to Die finally hits theaters, with its theatrical release in the UK set for September 30, just ahead of its US release on October 8.

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

Star Citizen Developer Gets In Trouble For Selling Ship Concepts

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has taken Star Citizen developer Cloud Imperium Games to task for advertising ships for sale that aren’t playable or even viewable in game. ASA has asked Cloud Imperium to clarify what players are actually purchasing when they advertise for so-called “concept ships,” Eurogamer reports.

The offending advertisement was reported to the ASA by Redditor Mazty, who posted a screenshot of the email in question and details of the complaint to Reddit. The email urges players to pledge for the Gatac Manufature Railen ship before it leaves the pledge store, making no note that the ship doesn’t currently exist other than calling it an “alien concept ship.”

Since the ASA confirmed that the email went against the UK’s Advertising Code of Practice, Cloud Imperium has added a new disclaimer to emails advertising pledge ships, reading in full:

“The Crusader Ares (Inferno and Ion), A2 Hercules, Genesis Starliner, are being offered here as a limited vehicle concept pledge. This means that the vehicle is in development but is not yet ready to display in your Hangar or fly in Star Citizen. It will be available as playable content in a later patch. In the future, the vehicle price may increase and Lifetime Insurance or any extras may not be available. If you pledge towards a Crusader Ares (Inferno and Ion), A2 Hercules, Genesis Starliner, you will receive a loaner vehicle for use in Star Citizen until such time as the Crusader Ares (Inferno and Ion), A2 Hercules, Genesis Starliner, is included in-game. This loaner vehicle will be a currently playable vehicle of similar approximate size and/or function to the concept ship pledged. We offer pledge ships to help fund Star Citizen’s development. The funding received from vehicles such as this allows us to include deeper features in the Star Citizen world. These vehicles will be available for in-game credits and/or will be otherwise earnable through play in the final universe. They are not required to start or succeed at the game.”

Mazty has said the disclaimer is still not enough, as it doesn’t allow for the possibility that the ships, which can sell for hundreds of dollars each in the pledge store, may never actually make it into the game. Commenters on the Reddit post have related experiences of players buying concept ships that have either never eventuated or are released in a different form to what was promised, with no updates or explanations forthcoming from the studio.

Star Citizen has become a controversial game thanks to its extended development time and heavy focus on fundraising from fans. The game this year hit a milestone of $350 million raised, but still doesn’t have an official release date, though parts of the game are playable in alpha.

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Psychonauts 2 Tomb Of The Sharkophagus Collectibles Guide

After you’ve delved into the three aspects of Ford Cruller’s personality in Psychonauts 2, you’ll find yourself pulled into the darkest depths of the Psychonauts founder’s mind–the Tomb of the Sharkophagus. But while the level might seem spooky, it’s actually not so bad, provided you can keep your wits about you while descending into its horrific subconscious pit. And as always in Psychonauts 2, there are collectibles for you to uncover along the way.

We’ve run down where you can find everything hidden in the darkness of Ford’s mind in The Tomb of the Sharkophagus below. For more Psychonauts 2 coverage and guides, check out our rundown of all the collectibles in Loboto’s Labyrinth, Hollis’s Classroom, Hollis’ Hot Streak, Strike City, Ford’s Follicles, Compton’s Cookoff, Cruller’s Correspondence, and Bob’s Bottles. And don’t forget to check out our Psychonauts 2 review.

Tomb Of The Sharkophagus Collectibles

  • Memory Vaults: 1
  • Emotional Baggage: Purse
  • Half-A-Minds: 1
  • Figments: 20

There’s not too much ground to cover in the Tomb of the Sharkophagus, but while the number of collectibles is small, there are a few in out-of-the-way places that are easy miss or accidentally pass by. And at least one–the Memory Vault–will require you to return to the level for a second pass.

Memory Vault: Upon entering the graveyard, turn to your right. You’ll see a small alcove with a tombstone that looks like a Memory Vault. The Vault itself didn’t show up the first time we ran through this level, but when we came back for a second look, the Vault was in this spot waiting.

Purse Tag: After escaping from the giant comb, you’ll slowly fall down a pit. You can direct Raz to fall toward the edges of the pit to access some side doors. On the second ledge down, you’ll find a wooden shark–the Sharkophagus–darting around near the ledge. Slow it with Time Bubble and jump onto its back to grab the Purse Tag.

No Caption Provided

Half-a-Mind: Drop down to the third ledge in the pit and enter a door to find the giant typewriter from Cruller’s Correspondence. The Half-a-Mind is to one side of it.

Purse Emotional Baggage: Continue to the bottom of the pit and follow the hallways until you reach a larger room, with the drill-shaped Astrolathe in the middle. Check around the back of the device to find the Purse in the back corner of the room.

No Caption Provided

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24 Best Movies To Watch On HBO Max (September 2021)

Daily Deals: Save £37 on The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Edition, Switch OLED Preorders Still Available

You can currently save £37.55 on The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Edition (Deluxe) when you preorder at Amazon. This is an incredible deal, and this slipcased edition of Tolkien’s classic epic tale will be releasing on October 14, so there’s not much longer to wait. If you want to complete your Lord of the Rings celebration next month, I can also recommend the Middle Earth 4K Collector’s Edition, with preorders live, this grand collection of this Hobbit and LOTR films looks like a vital addition to your Blu-ray shelf.

Not only that, but the Nintendo Switch OLED Model preorders are still in stock at Amazon. This is a fantastic opportunity to get hold of the console, especially since we believe it may get increasingly harder to get hold of one after release day. Our other favourite deal right now is definitely Audible, with the 3-months for 99p promotion returning until September 15.

Audible: Get 3-Months for just 99p (Save £23)

Preorder The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Editions

Switch OLED Preorders Live at Amazon

Preorder Middle-Earth Ultimate Collector’s Edition in the UK

Preorder Horizon Forbidden West in the UK

Horizon Forbidden West is finally available to preorder in the UK, costing £69.99 at launch on PS5 (£59.99 on PS4 with a free upgrade). Or, for £10 more, you can pick up the Special Edition on PS5, which includes the game, plus a SteelBook case, mini art book, digital soundtrack, and a Nora Legacy Spear + Outfit.

Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Review Roundup For Life Is Strange: True Colors–What Critics Are Saying

Life Is Strange: True Colors follows the story of Alex Chen, a young woman who has the power to experience and influence the emotions of people around her. It’s the third main game in the Life Is Strange Series, staying true to the franchise’s use of gameplay-controlled supernatural powers to explore deeply personal stories.

Unlike the other games in the series, True Colors is releasing all at once on September 10, while the other installments in the franchise have been dropped episodically. The game stays true to some parts of the Life is Strange formula, while radically mixing up other parts of it. Here’s what critics think of the game, which has been made by Life Is Strange: Before the Storm developers Deck Nine Games.

Now Playing: Life is Strange: True Colors – First Official Gameplay Trailer

We’ve included a sampling of key reviews below. To find even more reviews from a broader range of critics, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

  • Game: Life Is Strange: True Colors
  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
  • Developer: Deck Nine
  • Release Date: September 10
  • Price: $60

Kotaku — No Score

“If Life Is Strange: True Colors is meant to paint a picture of what’s to come from the supernatural franchise, then I am here for it. True Colors shines in all the right ways for a Life Is Strange game. It provides a litany of characters that invite you to get to know them, a gripping story, and a unique protagonist with her own gameplay-defining powers, a signature of the franchise.” — Lisa Marie Segarra [Full review]

Destructoid — 9/10

“Regardless of whether you’re a fan of this series, this one is a must-play if you like story-centric games. It’s honestly my favorite thing I’ve played all year so far. Sure, parts of Life is Strange: True Colors are really bleak, but ultimately it’s an uplifting, heartfelt story about what it means to find your own version of home. It tells that story in a way that feels perfectly sincere, which is something that is hard to come by in games nowadays. True Colors has officially redeemed the Life is Strange series in my eyes.” — Noelle Warner [Full review]

PC Gamer — 86/100

“Although True Colors has its pitfalls, I have never had this much fun with a Life is Strange game. Previous games in the series have dealt with some incredibly heavy topics, like convincing a friend not to jump off the roof of a building or experiencing horrendous racism, so even when there are happy moments, they often come across as bitter sweet, a fleeting moment in an unfair world. True Colors has its fair share of drama, but it also has moments of incredible joy. The whole emotional spectrum is present, from white hot anger at her brother’s death to the pure joy of LARPing with a group of friends—Alex experiences all of this deeply, and all within a story that respects her feelings.” — Rachel Watts [Full review]

The Verge — No Score

“The anthology format has helped keep Life is Strange fresh across three main entries, but it also comes with a significant risk. This is a series where so much relies on your investment in the characters; these stories work because you want to help characters like Max Caulfield and Sean Diaz live a better life. Luckily, despite a new setting and lead, True Colors has exactly that. I played through the entire thing in two sittings — not because I had to see how it ended, but because I needed to make sure that Alex was alright.” — Andrew Webster [Full review]

The Washington Post — No Score

” Life is Strange: True Colors tries to do a lot of things at once. It is at times a murder mystery, and at others a live-action role-playing game. Sometimes it’s a music video, other times it’s a therapy session. There’s also no content warning despite the game’s heavy material–an omission that has inspired controversy in the past. Most glaringly, True Colors centers Asian American characters, though its story could be about anyone of any background. The game never talks about race, except for showing an Asian-style shrine that Alex puts up to commemorate Gabe’s life and putting a few rude comments on the game’s version of Facebook or Nextdoor, MyBlock. And so, its diverse casting feel inconsequential.” — Shannon Liao [Full review]

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Review Roundup For Tales Of Arise–What Critics Are Saying

Tales Of Arise is the latest in the long-running Tales series, and the first major JRPG to release on the new generation of consoles. With a lengthy, in-depth narrative and gorgeous visuals, Tales Of Arise aims to rejuvenate the classic series to appeal to newcomers, while still maintaining the elements that keep long-time fans coming back game after game.

To find out whether it’s been successful in this goal, we’re looking at a range of reviews from critics who have spent some time with the JRPG ahead of its release on September 10.

Now Playing: Tales Of Arise Video Review

“As the first major original JRPG on new consoles and the latest installment of a very long-running series, Tales of Arise comes with a lot of expectations attached. Arise sets out to refresh its visual presentation and gameplay to appeal to a new audience, but it also tries its best to retain what has made the Tales series so beloved among its longtime fans: fun characters, fast-paced combat, and an epic sense of scale.” Heidi Kemps wrote in GameSpot’s Tales Of Arise review. “While it manages to succeed admirably at most of what it tries to do, a few shortcomings keep it from being the new standard-bearer for RPGs to come.”

We’ve included a number of other reviews below. To find even more reviews from a broader range of critics, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

  • Game: Tales Of Arise
  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
  • Developer: Namco Tales Studio
  • Release Date: September 10
  • Price: $60

GameSpot — 7/10

“Taken as a whole, Tales of Arise is a very good RPG, boasting beautiful visuals, a wonderful cast of characters, and engaging combat mechanics–but its flaws (and that odious DLC) are also difficult to ignore. If you’re looking for a lengthy, charming, and engaging JRPG to play on your shiny new console or PC gaming rig, Tales of Arise is certainly a fine choice. Just don’t go into it expecting an all-time classic.” — Heidi Kemps [Full review]

Rock Paper Shotgun — No Score

“I lack the qualifications to make a precision argument about whether Arise is worth the wait for long-suffering Tales fans – the last one, Tales Of Berseria, came out all the way back in 2016. Nevertheless, my instincts shrug and say, “Sure, why not?” Despite the tedious introduction of its two main characters, it’s filled with strong character moments and ridiculous battles that remind us only nerds and squares bend to gravity’s iron rules.” — Nadia Oxford [Full review]

Eurogamer — No Score

“Tales of Arise rides the high of a brilliant battle system and a charismatic supporting cast. It’s not always the smoothest ride, especially when the back half of Bandai Namco’s game stumbles into interplanetary affairs and storytelling that goes for something a little more grandiose, but the combination of compelling characters and a plot that’ll genuinely get you rooting for everyone involved is a sublime match.” — Hirun Cryer [Full review]

Game Rant — 5/5

“Tales of Arise is a game designed for long-term Tales franchise fans and those who have never picked up a franchise entry before, where story, combat, and various features come together to deliver a high-quality, highly-detailed JRPG. All of that makes it not just one of the best JRPGs on the market today, but one of the best games hands-down.” — Joshua Duckworth [Full review]

Push Square — 9/10

“Tales of Arise went above and beyond our expectations. With its picturesque landscapes instilling a real sense of adventure, it’s easily one of the strongest, most cohesive Tales games to date. Dramatic cutscenes and memorable character moments help sell an intriguing story, while a satisfying combat system becomes more and more engaging as your party powers up. A fantastic, modernised journey with all the rewarding qualities of a classic JRPG.” — Robert Ramsey [Full review]

Screen Rant — 4.5/5

“The game’s anime-style cutscenes and memorable musical score contribute to the feeling that Tales of Arise is something special, which is tied to its main takeaway – it’s just a whole lot of fun. Whether it’s the captivating, satisfying combat or the surprisingly deft storytelling that has more than a few pumpfakes on tropes, what Bandai Namco has produced here is still going to be up for debate as one of the best entries into the franchise to date. Tales of Arise accomplishes the rare feat of catering to its many fans while simultaneously making a compelling case for newcomers to give it a try, and it’s a JRPG must-play that was more than worth the wait.” — Cody Gravelle [Full review]

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Review Roundup For WarioWare: Get It Together!–What Critics Are Saying

WarioWare: Get It Together! is the latest game in the Wario-led microgame franchise, which releases on September 10 for the Nintendo Switch. The newest game introduces a handful of recurring playable characters for its platforming-led take on the franchise’s classic format, meaning players will always be controlling a character within microgames this time around.

Many of the games in the WarioWare franchise have been organised around a singular gimmick, with varying degrees of success. Here’s how critics are finding the platforming-focused Switch game.

Now Playing: WarioWare: Get It Together! Video Review

“The twist in Get It Together is that all of the microgames involve some degree of character platforming. While previous WarioWare games might have simply had you press the A button at the right moment to manipulate an on-screen device, in Get It Together you’ll always be controlling a character.” Steve Watts wrote in GameSpot’s WarioWare: Get It Together! review . “Characters include Wario, complete with his Wario Land-style shoulder slam, along with all of the WarioWare-specific characters who have been introduced throughout the series’ history. As a story device, they’ve all been sucked into their own video game which is being plagued by bugs.”

We’ve included a number of other reviews below. To find even more reviews from a broader range of critics, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

  • Game: WarioWare: Get It Together!
  • Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  • Developer: Intelligent Systems, Nintendo
  • Release Date: September 10
  • Price: $50

GameSpot — 8/10

“For the most part, the new character-based approach is a welcome addition to the WarioWare blueprint. The characters themselves are differentiated and expressive, and mechanically they make the traditional microgame challenges that much more engaging. The WarioWare series has been fertile ground for Nintendo to experiment with concepts like touchscreen capabilities in Touched or accelerometer-based motion in Twisted, which makes Get It Together’s platforming riffs a little more traditional than usual. But that also makes it less reliant on a gimmick, and that’s a change for the better.” — Steve Watts [Full review]

The Washington Post — No Score

“I’m not sure if “Get It Together!” will make a convert out of anyone who doesn’t already enjoy the series’s brand of silliness and chaos, but it’s an ambitious entry that successfully pushes the series into new territory in its own WarioWare way. It leans into its own ridiculousness to deliver a multiplayer experience that feels unique to the series and a single-player experience that has plenty of fun reasons to return even after you beat Story Mode. Embrace the chaos, and, like me, you’ll have a blast. ” — Alyse Stanley [Full review]

Polygon — No Score

“WarioWare: Get It Together! tasks you with the usual multifarious microgames, such as counting items, tweezing hairs from a statue, or escaping a flooding dungeon. But instead of flipping your Game Boy Advance on its head or swiping a stylus across a second screen, like in past WarioWare games, Get It Together! asks you to control one of the members of Wario’s posse–or the big man himself–in a rotating pool of characters you select. This new format adds an impressive layer of depth to the WarioWare universe, but ends up proving that too much chaos can be a bad thing–even for WarioWare. ” — Ryan Gilliam [Full review]

ArsTechnica — No Score

“WW:GIT is hard to fault on a piece-by-piece basis, and when laid on a table like an unsolved jigsaw puzzle, its parts are up to the series’ standard of humor, creativity, and polish. Yet the collection has not been put together quite right, and the result is a rare case of Nintendo putting a game out before it feels finished.” — Sam Machkovech [Full review]

IGN — 7/10

“WarioWare: Get It Together! is an absurd delight, testing your ability to think quickly and adapt on the fly in a series of ever-escalating microgames. That tried-and-true formula is still a lot of fun here, looking better than ever and introducing unique characters that can either bring interesting twists or mechanical frustration to familiar games depending on who you’re using. It’s a shame that Get It Together!’s multiplayer options somewhat drop the ball though, enough for an evening or two of laugh-out-loud fun with friends but lacking the staying power for many more beyond that.” — Tom Marks [Full review]

NintendoLife — 9/10

“WarioWare: Get It Together! is a triumphant Switch debut for the subversive series that makes some daring changes to core gameplay, resulting in the best entry in the franchise to date. With a generous roster of playable characters, lots of solo and multiplayer modes to dig into, and stages that cleverly adapt to your choices on the fly, this is a superb compilation of hilarious microgames that delivers more ways to play than ever before. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll dodge bird droppings on a skateboard. So grab a few friends or family members, break out the controllers, and gather round the TV–WarioWare: Get It Together! is essential stuff.” — PJ O’Reilly [Full review]

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Atari VCS Is The First Console To Have Direct Access To All Major Game Streaming Services

Atari’s Videogame Computer System, or VCS, just became the first console to allow direct access to game streaming services Google Stadia, Amazon Luna, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Nvidia GeForce Now, as well as its own retro streaming service, Antstream Arcade.

After years of delays, Atari’s VCS finally released this year as a PC-console hybrid boasting a built-in Chrome browser. A press release says players were already using the console’s browser to access the game streaming service, so now Atari has given them direct access to the services through the Atari VCS Store. The only notable streaming service that’s missing is Sony’s PlayStation Now, though users could conceivably download that game’s PC app while running the VCS in PC mode.

Now Playing: Atari VCS – Official Launch Trailer

“The Atari VCS team is thrilled to deliver all of the leading cloud gaming services to our users at one time and in one place,” said Atari’s Michael Arzt. “Many fans have been accessing these services on their own and asking for direct links for some time now. We actively strive to satisfy their various requests and will continue to add more exciting new features as we keep moving the VCS platform forward.”

Of course, even if the VCS is the first console to offer all these streaming services in one place, they could all already be accessed on a regular PC–including Atari’s own Antstream Arcade. Reviews for the $300 console praised its retro aesthetics, but failed to find enough use for the VCS to justify its price tag when compared to other devices already on the market.