Nvidia Is Doubling GeForce Now’s Monthly Fee

Nvidia is increasing the monthly fee for the paid tier of GeForce Now, the company’s own take on a game streaming service.

GeForce Now will retain its two-tier program, with the free tier still giving you access to streaming games that you own but with limitations on how long you can play and no queue priority. That was reserved for the $5 per month Founders Tier, which is being transformed into a new $10 per month Priority Tier.

What you get from Priority is no different to Founders, however. You’ll still get priority when queuing for a space on the server, access to additional horsepower allowing for ray tracing in supported titles, and longer play sessions (from one hour to four) before having to take a break. Nvidia says that this pricing change comes as the company sets new milestones for the service, with aims to include tighter integration into game clients, deploy more servers globally, and more.

The one advantage of being an existing Founders member is that you can continue to pay $5 per month if you don’t let your membership lapse, which Nvidia is saying will last for the foreseeable future. But if you decide to take a month’s break or if your payment is rejected, the next time you subscribe you’ll be charged the new $10 monthly or $100 annual membership fee.

Nvidia says it is working on additional features for the service, including better support for V-Sync that detects the correct frame rate of the display you’re playing on. It also hopes to increase its weekly releases from 10 to 15 soon, while also making it easier to launch games from clients like Steam, EA Play, and GOG straight into its cloud service.

GeForce Now differs from other streaming services like Google Stadia by requiring you to own the games you stream. This means that your purchases aren’t tied to Nvidia’s service, letting you play them on local hardware should you want to.

The products discussed here were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything featured on our site.

Now Playing: Nvidia RTX 3080 Review

Listen To SpongeBob Voice Actors Dub Famous Movie Dialogue

Have you ever wondered what Spider-Man 2’s “with great power comes great responsibility” speech would sound like if it was voiced by SpongeBob and Patrick? Probably not, but now you have the chance to find out, thanks to a new video from IGN featuring the voice actors Tom Kenny (SpongeBob) and Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick).

The two actors have lent Patrick and SpongeBob’s iconic voices to a number of great cinematic moments, including the aforementioned Spider-Man 2 speech, Mufasa and Simba in The Lion King, Sam and Frodo’s touching moment in Mordor from Return of the King, Magneto and Professor X in the original X-Men movie, and yes, the “high ground” battle from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

The duo have just had their own movie release, with The Spongebob Movie: Sponge On The Run having its debut on Paramount Plus on March 4. While those that worked on the film were disappointed that it ended up skipping cinemas entirely, Sponge On The Run has had a great run on the streaming service so far, as one of the most-streamed movies in two weeks following its release.

Puss In Boots Sequel Gets Release Date And Official Title

Ten years after the first Puss In Boots came out, the Shrek spin-off is finally getting a sequel. Universal announced today that it had reserved September 23, 2022 as the release date for the sequel, which is officially titled Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, as reported by Deadline.

In the 10 years since the first Puss In Boots movie came out, one sequel has already been announced and cancelled, while later rumors suggested that reboots were in the works for both Shrek and Puss In Boots. This sequel was first announced in 2019 with Into The Spiderverse director Bob Persichetti at the helm, though Universal’s latest announcement says the movie will be directed by Joel Crawford and produced by Mark Swift, the creative team behind pandemic success The Croods: A New Age.

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish will have Antonio Banderas reprising his role as the titular character. The film’s plot shows Puss in Boots having lost eight out of his nine lives and going on an adventure to find the mythical Last Wish–the only thing that can restore those lives.

A fifth Shrek film was announced in 2016, and is reportedly still in the works at Dreamworks, with new information on the project occasionally trickling out. While originally announced for 2019, more recent sources say the film is now due out sometime in 2022.

Now Playing: 18 Biggest Movies To Watch in 2021: Dune, Top Gun Maverick, Snyder’s Justice League

PlayStation Shows Off Seven Upcoming Indies For PS4, PS5, And PSVR

Over on the PlayStation blog, Sony has just finished up with a day of announcements and updates showcasing a range of indie games for PS4, PS5 and PSVR. These range from newly announced games for the platforms such as Nour: Play With Your Food and Where the Heart Leads, to updates on previously announced games like Heavenly Bodies and Disco Elysium: The Final Cut.

Operation: Tango, an asymmetrical spy-themed co-op game, was announced for both the PS4 and PS5 this spring. The game sees players choosing to play as either Angel, the agent, or Alistair, the hacker, using the duo’s complementary skills to work through complex puzzles. The PlayStation blog spotlight focuses on the game’s visuals, both in the real world and the hacker’s virtual playground.

Another game announced was Chicory: A Colorful Tale, a game where you can play as a dog with a paintbrush who brings color back to a black-and-white world. Coming for both the PS4 and PS5, players with the new console will be able to take advantage of unique painting controls designed just for the DualSense controller. Chicory is due out in spring 2021.

Nour: Play With Your Food offered up an extensive blog post explaining how its trippy, food-based visuals can be used to create unique musical backdrops. The game is published by Panic, who also published 2019’s Untitled Goose Game–which was praised for its own unique, randomizing soundtrack. Nour is coming in summer 2021.

Where the Heart Leads will come out on the PS4 and PS5 on July 13, 2021. The game follows a farmer who falls into a time-bending sinkhole, where he discovers he has the power to alter the past, present, and future. The narrative-based game boasts thousands of choices and dozens of endings, with the power to choose entirely in the player’s hands.

Announced for PSVR is the game Puzzling Places, with a release window of winter 2021. The zen game has players solve complicated 3D puzzles, piecing together scans of beautiful real-life places.

As well as the new game announcements, the indie showcase also included updates on two already-announced games. Space-themed physics puzzler Heavenly Bodies released a new gameplay trailer showing some of its more challenging scenarios, while a post by ZA/UM’s Chris Priestman gives players a little more detail on what to expect from the upgraded Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, due out on March 30.

Now Playing: 11 Biggest PS5 Games Coming In 2021

Shigeru Miyamoto Makes Guest Appearance at Grand Opening of Super Nintendo World

Super Nintendo World, the theme park area at Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan that brings the world of Mario and friends to life, has finally opened to the public today. An opening ceremony was held in the Super Star Plaza, the entrance to the new area.

The ceremony featured a guest appearance from Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary Nintendo designer who created Mario, alongside USJ CEO J.L. Bonnier and life-size mascots of Mario and Luigi.

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“I am so pleased that we were able to open the world’s first fully realized Super Mario experience to coincide with the 35th anniversary of Super Mario,” said Miyamoto.

“I felt that if Nintendo was going to work together with Universal Creative, we ought to aim to do something the world has never seen before. With this as our motto, we have implemented the latest technology along with every ounce of the experience that Nintendo and Universal have accumulated until now, to deliver the true heart of Super Mario.”

He concluded, “when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, I hope people from all over the world will come to visit USJ.”

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Currently, Super Nintendo World features attractions based mostly on characters from the Super Mario and Mario Kart games, with easter eggs that nod to franchises such as Pikmin also to be found in the park. Bloomberg has previously quoted USJ that a Donkey Kong area would follow but USJ has not mentioned this elsewhere. That said, theme parks do tend to develop their attractions over time, and USJ has been especially aggressive in this regard, adding new permanent and temporary attractions on a regular basis. Future attractions featuring other Nintendo characters seems like a reasonable possibility.

When asked whether there are plans to add Nintendo characters from series other than the Mario games and their spinoffs, USJ CEO Bonnier said, “I can only really talk about what we have right now, but I will say that USJ and our parent company have a long-term plan” for Super Nintendo World.

For more on Super Nintendo World, check out our gallery of photos from IGN Japan’s visit to the new park area, a gallery of over 150 photos of food and merch from the park, and how the development team used VR to create the Mario Kart ride.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, entry to Japan for foreign passport holders currently remains suspended until further notice. Super Nintendo World is scheduled to become part of other Universal Studios sites around the world, including Orlando, Hollywood, and Singapore, but the opening of the Orlando attraction has reportedly been delayed until 2025.

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Yukiyo Tan is an editor at IGN Japan.

Apex Legends Is Getting A Comic That Will Affect In-Game Dialogue

Dark Horse is publishing an Apex Legends comic. According to Respawn, not only will the series be canon, it will affect Apex Legends’ in-game dialogue too.

In a tweet, Apex Legends lead writer Tom Casiello says that the upcoming comic will be canon, is scripted by Jesse Stern (lead writer of Titanfall and Titanfall 2), will affect in-game dialogue, and will detail events that will have ramifications on the individual stories of Apex Legends’ characters.

The comic is called Apex Legends: Overtime and tells a story about how all 16 of Apex Legends’ playable characters come together for a common goal, according to IGN. The legends band together to save a city from mad scientists, brutal assassins, and the Syndicate–the latter of which is the group responsible for controlling the Apex Games.

It’s an interesting set-up, especially since the roster of legends does contain a mad scientist, a brutal assassin, and Syndicate loyalists among their ranks. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a betrayal or two. Another intriguing note: this comic seems geared towards making some of the legends into superhero-like figures to the general public, not just celebrity contestants in a dangerous battle royale.

Overtime is composed of four issues, each drawn by Assassin’s Creed’s Neil Edwards, inked by Stranger Things’ Keith Champagne, colored by Skyward’s Antonio Fabela, and lettered by The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys’ Nate Piekos.

This isn’t the first time that one of Apex Legends’ stories has been told outside of the game itself. Ahead of Season 4, the Apex Legends Twitter account adopted the guise of a news anchor that detailed the introduction of Revenant as a series of breaking news stories. Prior to the start of Season 8, the Pathfinder’s Quest book revealed fascinating insights into all of the characters, including how many of the legends are connected to one another.

Apex Legends recently released for Switch, but that’s not the best place to play the game. In GameSpot’s Apex Legends Switch review, I wrote, “I did have moments of fun playing Apex Legends on Switch. Panic Button has managed to take a game that I love and make it work just well enough on Nintendo’s hybrid console. I don’t want to keep playing it on Switch with its many technical concessions (nor do I want new players to be introduced to Apex Legends this way), but this port is–in its current state–a decent last resort. If your only way to play Apex Legends is on Switch, then you now have that option. Just know that you’re signing up for something less than ideal.”

Now Playing: Apex Legends Nintendo Switch Video Review

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Guide To Hulu Price, Plans, And Channels In 2021

Streaming services have rocketed in popularity thanks to their convenience and affordability, and that trend is only continuing into 2021. Though the streaming market has only gotten more crowded, Hulu is still one of the biggest players. Hulu combines the best of entertainment worlds in one package, with subscribers gaining access to its ever-growing content library, brimming with original content, network shows, and classic movies. You’ve also got Hulu + Live TV as an appealing alternative to cable TV, letting you watch your favorite shows, sports, and other major events as they air.

As Hulu continues to expand, it can be difficult to keep track of the latest pricing changes or plan options. Here, we’ve detailed the current Hulu plans, channels, pricing, and other features to know about for 2021. Plus, see our guide to the best streaming services for a breakdown of how Hulu compares to its competitors in 2021.

How much does Hulu cost?

Hulu has two plans that exclusively offer on-demand content, starting at $5.99 per month for the base plan with ads. With this plan, you can access everything on Hulu’s on-demand platform like network shows, new movies, and original content. This cheap subscription is a great option for those on a budget, if you don’t mind getting ads. However, you can upgrade to Hulu’s ad-free plan for $11.99 per month–this is a good option for people who binge shows and watch a ton of on-demand content.

An alternative to cable TV, Hulu + Live TV gets you access to more than 65 channels as well as Hulu’s on-demand library for $64.99 per month–however, you’ll still have to sit through ads. (This price increased back in December from $54.99 per month.) If you’re willing to pay six bucks more, you can sign up for Hulu (no ads) + Live TV for $70.99 per month. Hulu’s live TV pricing is in line with other platforms like YouTube TV and fuboTV charge.

What plans does Hulu offer?

Figuring out the best Hulu package for you depends on your viewing preferences and budget. Here’s a quick overview of Hulu plans and pricing as well as their free trials and whether they include ads.

Hulu Hulu (No Ads) Hulu + Live TV Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV
Monthly price $5.99 $11.99 $64.99 $70.99
Free trial length 30 days 30 days 7 days 7 days
On demand/Live TV On demand On demand Live TV + On demand Live TV + On demand
Commercials Yes No Yes No (for the on-demand portion)

What is the Disney Bundle?

You can also bundle Hulu with other services. The Disney Bundle gets you Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+, though you should note that the monthly price for this bundle is about to increase. Starting March 26, the Disney Bundle with ad-supported Hulu will cost $13.99 per month, while the Disney Bundle with ad-free Hulu will cost $19.99 per month. You can also get Hulu + Live TV with the Disney Bundle, which will cost $73 per month as of March 26. Note that this bundle includes the ad-supported version of Hulu + Live TV; there is currently no bundle with the ad-free version of Hulu + Live TV.

The Disney Bundle is a wise deal if you’re interested in all three services–you’ll get Hulu’s vast array of movies and TV along with exclusive Disney+ content like WandaVision and The Mandalorian. Sports fans will find a lot to love with ESPN+, which lets you watch live content from the NHL, UFC, the PGA Tour, and select college basketball games. You’ll also receive access to on-demand programming like ESPN’s popular 30 for 30 series.

What top channels does Hulu + Live TV have?

Hulu’s on-demand platform allows you to catch replays from all the hit shows from major networks like FOX, NBC, and ABC. You can also stream on-demand content from networks like AMC, Animal Planet, Comedy Central, the Discovery Channel, Freeform, FX, the History Channel, and much more. While you can catch replays of shows you missed, you’ll have to upgrade if you want to watch them live.

On the live TV side, Hulu offers over 65 channels in its base package. It’s a fantastic option for sports fans, as you gain access to five ESPN channels. You also receive the ACC Network, the Big Ten Network, the CBS Sports Network, two FOX Sports networks, the SEC Network, and the NBC Sports Network. Many of the sports channels like the Big Ten Network do not come in basic cable packages, so having them bundled with Hulu + Live TV is a great deal.

Hulu + Live TV is also family-friendly, offering content from the Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Universal Kids. The inclusion of TCM, FX, HGTV, Lifetime, Lifetime Movies, TBS, and TNT ensures you have many movies and TV shows to whet your entertainment appetite. Meanwhile, avid news watchers have access to CNN, ABC News Live, CBS, FOX, MSNBC, and CNBC to stay in the know.

Hulu’s two Live TV packages don’t differ in the number or type of channels they offer. Instead, the live TV pricing difference lies on the on-demand side. With Hulu + Live TV, you’ll get ads, while Hulu (no ads) + Live TV lets you watch your favorite shows on demand without commercials.

What add-ons for premium channels and extras does Hulu + Live TV have?

Hulu offers a lot in the way of premium entertainment. Channels like HBO Max and Showtime can be added to any Hulu subscription, allowing you to watch original series and hit movies from other networks, but certain add-ons require you to have a Hulu + Live TV package. Below is a look at some of the many add-ons you can receive:

Add-ons Price Add-on for Hulu or Hulu + Live TV
HBO Max $14.99* Both
Cinemax $9.99* Both
Showtime $10.99* Both
Starz $8.99* Both
Enhanced Cloud DVR $9.99 Hulu + Live TV only
Unlimited screens $9.99 Hulu + Live TV only
Entertainment add-on $7.99 Hulu + Live TV only
Spanish add-on $4.99 Hulu + Live TV only

*Seven-day free trial included with premium networks

For families who frequently record and watch shows later, the Enhanced Cloud DVR add-on is a great one to consider. Hulu + Live TV comes with 50 hours of recording space, but with Enhanced Cloud DVR, you’ll have 200 hours of room. Best of all, with the enhanced DVR, you can fast-forward through commercials on your recorded content.

If you’re looking for more offerings, the Entertainment add-on unlocks access to even more content, including channels like Discovery Family, the Military History Channel, Crime + Investigation Channel, Destination America, DIY, Science, CNBC World, and the Cooking Channel. Meanwhile, the Spanish add-on is convenient for those who want Spanish livestreams. You’ll have access to channels like ESPN Deportes, NBC Universo, and much more.

The Unlimited Screens add-on can also be extremely useful, depending on how many people are watching Hulu on your account. If you have a large household with diverse viewing habits, having this feature will come in handy. Another nifty benefit: Three people can stream from their mobile devices, so you can easily watch Hulu while you’re on the go.

What about local networks on Hulu + Live TV?

If you want to watch local sporting events or your favorite network shows, you are in luck, as Hulu does offer local networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, the CW, and FOX. However, the platform does not carry PBS.

To receive PBS, you can buy an HD antenna. Some of the most popular models include the Tablo DVR and HD HomeRun. With one of these models, you’ll be able to view broadcasts on all of your local channels, even if you decide to cancel Hulu + Live TV later.

Is Hulu right for you?

Hulu offers a huge variety of entertainment and multiple subscription options that give you flexibility in picking the right plan for you. The cheapest on-demand plan is a great choice for people on a budget and still gets you access to a great variety of content, while the Live TV packages offer an appealing option for cutting the cord. The ability to downsize at any time without penalty is also a plus. And with the many add-on features available, Hulu makes it simple to customize your viewing experience. Overall, the platform offers convenience and affordability, making it a smart choice for households interested in on-demand entertainment, live TV, or a mix of both.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage Release Pushed Into September

While vaccines are rolling out and theaters are re-opening, movie studios are still figuring out where to place the pile of delayed movies they’ve stacked up over the last year or so, and are continuing to delay films despite the positive outlook. The latest film to get pushed back is Sony’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

Sony announced today that it has once again delayed Venom: Let There Be Carnage from its previous release date of June 25, instead releasing it on September 17. The Venom sequel will once again feature Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock and the voice of the Marvel alien symbiote Venom. Michelle Williams and Woody Harrelson will reprise their roles, with Harrelson stepping up from post-credits Easter egg to lead antagonist. Harrelson plays the part of Cletus Kasady, a serial killer who inherits a symbiote spawned from the original Venom symbiote, becoming Carnage. Naomie Harris is also rumored to join the cast as Shriek, a sound-based villain and ally of Carnage. Andy Serkis is directing.

Along with the delay of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Sony has also pushed back another film starring Woody Harrelson. Man From Toronto, which features Harrelson and Kevin Hart, was scheduled for September 17, but has been removed from the release calendar for the time being.

Venom released in 2018 and grossed $850 million worldwide, helping Sony launch the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters (or SPUMC, as we like to call it). The film released to largely negative reviews, with our own review pointing out inconsistent CGI, shallow characters, and sidelined female characters despite being surprisingly funny and creative.

Now Playing: Venom Movie Review & Post-Credits Scenes Explained

Evolution of the M16 in Call of Duty

The M16 assault rifle is no stranger to the Call of Duty series. In this trip down memory lane, Richie Bracamonte takes you back through COD history to see it’s appearances and variants. From its early appearances in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, to Activision’s latest entry Black Ops Cold War, the M16 has been in more than a dozen games.

Through the decades, the in-game gun has kept up with its real-life counterparts. There have been updates from the base M16 such as the A1 and A4 variants. Although it’s known for accuracy, the M16 was mostly classified as an assault rifle until Black Ops Cold War, where it falls under the Tactical Rifle class. The M16 has gone back and forth between full auto and it’s infamous 3-round-burst firing style. While it makes little difference in COD’s story modes, this detail can change the entire meta of online gameplay.

Today, the M16 stands tall as one of the most iconic guns in the Call of Duty series. It always features high accuracy, a fast fire rate and slew of attachments that help its range and precision. If you can handle its kick and line up your shots will enough, the M16 will do all the heavy lifting. If you enjoyed this evolution, leave a comment for what you’d like to see next time!

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