Netflix Godzilla Anime Coming This June, New Trailer Released

Netflix has revealed the release date and trailer for Godzilla Singular Point, an all-new anime series centered on the titular famed Kaiju.

Alongside a new trailer for the anime series, Netflix confirmed that Godzilla Singular Point will be released globally outside of Japan on its streaming platform this June. The action-packed first trailer for the 13-episode series sees a grad student and an engineer unite to lead the fight against an unimaginable force that may spell doom for the world. Check out the official trailer below:

Atsushi Takahashi is the director of the series, and he’s joined by a creative team that comprises of Doraemon composer Kan Sawada, sci-fi novelist turned writer and editor Toh EnJoe, and Studio Ghibli animator Eiji Yamamori who has created a brand new Godzilla design for the story. The project is being produced by Bones, the anime studio behind My Hero Academia, in partnership with Orange.

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Last year, Netflix announced its plans to produce more anime content after noting an exceptional uptake in anime streaming on the platform, with statistics showing that over 100 million households globally watched at least one anime title on Netflix between October 2019 and September 2020 — a noted increase of more than 50% on the previous year’s figures.

Godzilla Singular Point is just the latest addition to a growing list of Godzilla titles in the Netflix library, following on from the success of the streamer’s slate of anime films based on the classic Japanese monster, including 2017’s Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters, 2018’s Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle, and Godzilla: The Planet Eater, which was also released in 2018.

IGN’s review of Godzilla: The Planet Eater praised the film for providing an “emotionally satisfying conclusion” for an “uneven” animated trilogy. In our write-up, we also gave credit to the final chapter for offering “an emotional payoff” that made “the trilogy as a whole much better when viewed as the conclusion of a single, ambitious longform story.”

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

Netflix’s Bridgerton Gets Picked Up For Seasons 3 And 4

Bridgerton may have only first debuted on Netflix back in December 2020, but it’s just been renewed by the streaming service for Seasons 3 and 4. The release making the announcement makes it clear that Season 2 is now in production and “in keeping with the novels, tells a new romance story,” indicating there may be some deviation in the future from the source material, Julia Quinn’s series of novels about debutante and high society in Regency era London.

“From the first time I read Julia Quinn’s delicious Bridgerton series, I knew these were stories that would captivate a viewing audience,” said co-executive producer Shonda Rhimes (Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder). “This two-season pickup is a strong vote of confidence in our work and I feel incredibly grateful to have partners as collaborative and creative as Netflix.”

These renewals are also a speedy confirmation of Rhimes’s instincts–Bridgerton was renewed for Season 2 back in January. That announcement was accompanied shortly thereafter with the revelation that actor Regé-Jean Page would not be returning. While understandably a bummer for fans, Page’s departure was also announced that the next season will have “more intrigue and romance.” It was recently announced that Page will be starring in the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons movie.

Bridgerton is the first project from Grey’s Anatomy veteran Shonda Rhimes after she signed a nine-figure deal with Netflix.

New BioShock Game Might Be Open World

The new BioShock game in development at Cloud Chamber might feature a big change for the series and adopt an open-world structure. A job listing at Cloud Chamber spotted by PCGamesN specifically mentions “open-world.”

A job ad for a senior writer says, “We’re hoping to find someone who can weave impactful, character-driven stories in an open world setting.” The successful candidate will work on dialogue and other narrative elements of the new BioShock, while this person will also help come up with ideas for “primary and secondary mission content with design.”

Cloud Chamber has 17 open positions listed on its careers page spread across a variety of disciplines, but the senior writer job ad is the only one that mentions “open-world.”

It’s possible that Cloud Chamber is working on other projects outside of the new BioShock game, but the job ad for senior writer that mentions an open-world structure specifically says the position is for BioShock.

It bears mentioning that game development is a highly iterative process and just because one job ad mentions “open-world,” that doesn’t necessarily mean the new BioShock game will be an open-world title. Also, the term “open-world” is not so easily defined, as the term means different things to different developers in different contexts.

A spokesperson for 2K told GameSpot, “2K does not comment on rumors and speculation related to studio employment listings.”

The BioShock series has been dormant for some years now, with the latest mainline release, BioShock Infinite, coming in 2013.

Before this, job listings at Cloud Chamber suggested that the new BioShock would feature a “new and fantastical world,” suggesting it won’t return to Rapture or Columbia.

From the looks of it, Cloud Chamber appears to be at the earliest stages of development on the next BioShock game, but it’ll be interesting to see what they create with a team of both BioShock veterans and new hires. Series creator Ken Levine is not involved with the new BioShock game.

Now Playing: Let’s Revisit BioShock Infinite On Its 7th Birthday

Ubisoft Shutting Down Servers For Some Classic Games, Including Rainbow Six Vegas

Ubisoft has announced that it will soon be shutting down the servers on several of its older games, including Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas, Assassin’s Creed II, Far Cry 2, and more. The majority of the affected titles are PC games, with several PS2, Xbox 360, PSP, and PSP games also being shut down at an undetermined time later in 2021.

Ubisoft explained in a blog post that while multiplayer online services for these games will be switched off, players can still access solo features.

If the game is Ubisoft Connect-enabled, then this service will no longer be available for the title on consoles and the microtransaction currency of Ubisoft Units will be disabled. Ubisoft added that there will be no refunds on unused in-game currencies. Rewards will also be disabled in-game, and even though they can still be unlocked, Ubisoft says that players will no longer receive them.

Ubisoft multiplayer servers being shut down on June 1

  • Assassin’s Creed 2 (PC)
  • Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands (PC)
  • Far Cry 2 (PC)
  • Anno 1404 (PC)
  • Might & Magic – Clash of Heroes (PC)
  • Splinter Cell Conviction (PC)
  • The Settlers 7 (PC)
  • Might & Magic X – Legacy (PC)

Ubisoft multiplayer server shut down list for 2021

  • Ghost Recon Future Soldier – 2021 (PC / Xbox 360/ PS3)
  • Rainbow Six Lockdown – 2021 – (PC / PS2 / Xbox)
  • Rainbow Six Vegas 2 – 2021 (PC / Xbox 360 / PS3 / Xbox One)
  • Rainbow Six Vegas – 2021 (PC / X360 / PS3 / PSP)

Ubisoft said that the reason why it was shutting down services for some of its older games that only have a small audience is that it’s a “necessary” step to allow its IT and service staff to “better focus on delivering great online experiences to the vast majority of customers who are playing newer, more popular titles.”

In a similar move, Sony also announced that it would be shutting down the digital storefronts for the PlayStation 3 and PSP in July, with the PS Vita store being permanently closed as well later in August. Sony has also already and silently killed off the old web store that let PlayStation players buy PS3, PSP, and PS Vita digital games.

Now Playing: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier – Multiplayer Gameplay

Jurassic World: The Exhibition North American Tour Begins in Dallas in June

Round Room Live and Cityneon have announced that the North American tour of Jurassic World: The Exhibition will begin in Dallas, Texas on June 18, 2021 at the Grandscape in The Colony.

Tickets are now on sale for the 20,000-square-foot experience that will allow guests to walk through the iconic “Jurassic World” gates, come face-to-face with life-sized dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus Rex, Velociraptor, and Brachiosaurus, and explore themed environments like the Hammond Creation Lab.

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Fans of Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous will also be happy to know that they will be able to interact with baby dinosaurs like Bumpy from the Netflix original series.

Tickets for those 16 and older will cost $29.50, while kids 3-15 will be charged $19.50 each. Children two years and younger are free with an accompanying parent.

Jurassic World: The Exhibition has seen nearly three million visitors since its first stop in Melbourne, Australia in 2016. The Exhibition would go on to open its gates in Chicago, Philadelphia, Paris, Madrid, Seoul, Chengdu, and Guangzhou.

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This experience is produced in conjunction with Universal Parks & Resorts, and is just one of the big ways in 2021 the theme park is celebrating Jurassic World. Later this spring, Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventures will open its Jurassic World VelociCoaster that will let guests “feel the rush of the hunt as they race alongside these nimble predators, twisting and soaring above the land and water.”

Jurassic World: The Exhibition will hopefully help some in the wait for Jurassic World: Dominion in 2022 that is set to be the “culmination” of all six Jurassic movies.

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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Playpulse ONE Is an Exercise Bike, Gaming Console, and Entertainment System

The Playpulse One is an all-in-one exercise bike, video game console, and entertainment system that aims to make working out much more fun.

The Playpulse One is similar to a Peloton bike, as it is an indoor exercise bike with a screen that allows for video content to accompany and motivate you in your mission to workout and get healthier.

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Not only does the Playpulse One feature a high precision pedal sensor, handlebars with game controllers, and a heart-rate sensor, it also has a 24″ multitouch computer/screen with a dedicated graphics card that is able to run 3D games with online multiplayer.

The bike will ship with four games made with Unity 3D, as well as access to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, and more. Streaming content can also be integrated with a “gamification” mode that will have the screen go blurry or dark if you not maintaining the exercise intensity you’ve set.

While more games and experiences are in development in addition to Playpulse’s plan to create an open API for third-party developers, the four launch games are as follows;

  • Pedaltanks – Capture the flag and win the war in this epic multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game. Pick your own tank, each with different stats and abilities. Then start to pedal and use the strength of your tank to cooperate with your teammates and beat the opposing team!
  • Bumpercars – What do you get when you put Bumper Cars in space? An epic arcade game. Bump your way to victory by knocking opponents off the tracks. Watch out though, your opponent get smarter every minute and are constantly finding new ways to attack. How long can you outsmart them?
  • Heat Street – Navigate colorful worlds, wisely use power ups to gain tactical advantage, and find the best shortcuts to beat the opponents. Keep your cool though, if you push your vehicle too hard it might just overheat and you`re out of the race.  Each vehicle has unique statistics and power ups suited for its personality.
  • Helios – A roguelite runner. Explore new worlds with Helios, your trusted spaceship. Collect valuable resources and upgrades as you pilot your ship across planets. Find the best paths and watch out for obstacles as you work your way through the different segments of your planetary exploration. Sure, Helios is a rugged ship, but there’s a limit to the beating it can take. Hit too many obstacles and you’ll have to start over.

For those looking for a more traditional workout experience, there will also be the Playpulse Studio that allows users to choose between different workouts that will automatically adjust resistance and show the speed you are aiming for.

There are also exercise goals that you can set, both in the games and apps, that will help you reach your goals.

The Playpulse One has an MSRP of $1,999 USD, but it can be pre-ordered for a limited time with a 40% discount, making the bike $1,199 USD. Additionally, the ever-growing content library that includes all the above is made available via Playpulse LIVE, which will cost an optional $19.99/month following the trial period.

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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.

Sony Invests $200 Million More Into Fortnite Developer Epic To Help Create The “Metaverse”

Epic Games–the developer of Fortnite, owner of the Unreal Engine, and operator of the Epic Games Store–has announced it has raised $1 billion more in funding. This includes $200 million more from Sony Group Corporation, adding on to the $250 million it invested into the company back in 2020. This announcement came on the same day that Sony announced that one of its characters, Aloy from the Horizon series, would come to Fortnite soon.

In a statement, Epic said it’s using the additional $1 billion in funding to “support future growth opportunities” and help the company create the so-called “Metaverse.” With the new round of funding, Epic said its equity valuation now stands at $28.7 billion.

For Sony specifically, Epic said the new funding of $200 million “reinforces their shared mission to advance the state of the art in technology, entertainment, and socially-connected online services.”

Some of the other investors in this new round of funding included a long list of venture capital and private equity firms such as Appaloosa, Baillie Gifford, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, GIC, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, Park West, KKR, AllianceBernstein, Altimeter, Franklin Templeton, and Luxor Capital.

Despite Epic’s giant valuation, the company remains private and has only a single class of common stock. CEO Tim Sweeney continues to be the majority shareholder. Epic has said it hasn’t ruled out going public, either.

Sweeney said in a statement that the funding will help Epic fulfill its mission to create a Metaverse.

“We are grateful to our new and existing investors who support our vision for Epic and the Metaverse,” he said. “Their investment will help accelerate our work around building connected social experiences in Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys, while empowering game developers and creators with Unreal Engine, Epic Online Services, and the Epic Games Store.”

Sony’s CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida, said Epic is a studio that delivers “revolutionary experiences,” and the PlayStation company is eager to continue its partnership with Epic.

“We are excited to strengthen our collaboration to bring new entertainment experiences to people around the world. I strongly believe that this aligns with our purpose to fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology,” Yoshida said.

In other news, it was recently revealed that Epic is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to pursue its strategy of buying exclusive games for the Epic Games Store. Meanwhile, Aloy from Horizon will come to Fortnite beginning on April 15.

GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.

The Simpsons Apu Actor Hank Azaria Wants To Apologize To “Every Single Indian Person”

In a recent podcast interview, actor Hank Azaria said he wants to apologize to “every single Indian person” for the The Simpsons’s problematic Apu character. Speaking on Dax Shepard and Monica Padman’s podcast Armchair Expert (via CBS News), the actor described his journey of taking in the recent wave of controversy and pushback over the character, saying he “really didn’t know any better before.”

“This was not a two-week process,” said Azaria. “I needed to educate myself a lot.”

The Simpsons, which debuted as a series of shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987 and then graduated to its own half-hour primetime show on Fox in 1989, has had a steady reckoning with its outdated stances on representation. The show, which recently got renewed for its 33rd and 34th seasons, has typically been coy about how it would modernize and adapt.

A recent string of announcements have been consistently contradictory, with Azaria insisting the role has been retired, Simpsons creator Matt Groening saying he “didn’t have a problem” with white actors playing Black roles, and then recently Groening also saying there are now “ambitious” plans for Apu that involve not casting a new actor in the role “if we can make the stories work.” The show has recently recast Dr. Hibbert and Carl Carlson with Kevin Michael Richardson and Alex Désert, respectively.

For Azaria personally, he credits getting sober as a contributing factor in recognizing Apu’s damaging nature and his role in perpetuating racism with it. Said Azaria, “If I had not gotten sober, I promise you it wouldn’t have taken much wine for me to be in my feelings one night and fire off a tweet that I felt justified in firing off. Some kind of defensive, white-fragile tweet. Boy, was I glad I had a system in place where I could look at this thing.”

The Simpsons recently aired its 700th episode in its 32nd season.

Incredible Sale on External Hard Drives Perfect for PS5

A new PS5 firmware update has confirmed that users will now be able to store PS5 games on an external USB drive. You won’t be able to play them via this, but it is a lot quicker to transfer the game over from the drive than reinstalling using the disc. Some games are even confirmed to support the ability to have only specific modes across drives, so you may be able to move the campaign to USB storage when you’ve completed it and keep multiplayer on your SSD.

To celebrate this SSD space-saving news, we thought we’d quickly round up some of the very best external drives to use with the PS5. As for that promised M.2 drive support that Sony has been talking about since before the console launched, the blog post simply says Sony “will keep you posted”.

Best External Game Drives for PS5 (Best Hard Drives, SSDs)

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PlayStation App is also being updated alongside the new updates, with features allowing you to manage your PS5 console’s storage on the app, join a multiplayer game, compare trophies with friends, and sort/filter products in the PS Store.

For more on PS5, check out how we feel about PlayStation’s focus on ‘too big to fail’ games, which was revealed as part of a recent report on first party studios, as well as our weekly podcast that focuses on all things PlayStation, Beyond.

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Robert Anderson is a Commerce Editor and deals expert for IGN. Send him awesome gaming screenshots @robertliam21 on Twitter.

Zack Snyder’s Army Of The Dead Trailer Delivers Wild Action And Zombie Tigers

The new trailer for Army of the Dead has been released. The zombie action movie is directed by Zack Snyder and it hits Netflix on May 21.

February’s first Army of the Dead teaser was packed with cool imagery but didn’t contain much in the way of plot or dialogue. However, this one focuses more on the storyline. Dave Bautista plays a former soldier who is hired to assemble a crew to perform a safe heist on a Las Vegas casino. The big problem is that this all takes place after a zombie apocalypse, so the team must contend with thousands of ravenous undead roaming the streets of Vegas. These aren’t all standard zombies either–Army of the Dead features highly-developed “organized” zombies who command the more brainless variety. Oh, and there’s a zombie tiger in there too. Check the trailer out below:

Army of the Dead also stars Ella Purnell, Ana de la Reguera, Garret Dillahunt, Omari Hardwick, Theo Rossi, and Tig Notaro. It’s directed and co-written by Snyder, who started writing it back in 2004, shortly after he directed the remake of the zombie classic Dawn of the Dead. It spent many years trapped in development before Netflix stepped in to finance it.

The movie is also set to kick off an Army of the Dead franchise for Netflix. A prequel movie with the imaginative title Army of the Dead: The Prequel was shot in Germany last fall and directed by Matthias Schweighöfer, one of the actors in Snyder’s film.

There’s also an animated spin-off titled Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas on the way. The voice cast for that includes Christian Slater, Joe Manganiello, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jena Malone. Neither the movie or series have release dates yet.