New Halo Infinite BR, AR Weapon Renders And Art Revealed

As part of Halo Infinite developer 343’s huge news blowout, the studio shared a series of brand-new weapon renders and pieces of artwork from the anticipated next-gen sci-fi shooter.

The in-engine weapon renders showcase a variety of popular and familiar weaponry, including the Assault Rifle and Battle Rifle, both of which have received some tweaks based on their appearance in previous games. Other weapons on display include the Hydra, the Needler, the VK78 Commando, and the brand-new Bulldog shotgun that 343 created to shake things up in a big way.

Also on display is some artwork, including new renders of the Drop Wall equipment that can be used in campaign and multiplayer to protect yourself from incoming fire. A render of Master Chief’s grappling hook is also available, while 343 separately shared new details on how it works and how you may be able to use it to bring the fight to your enemy.

You can see all of the new imagery in the gallery below. Click each image to see a full-size version, and remember that all of the images are non-final and subject to change. A stunning new piece of concept art is also available immediately below.

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Following a delay, Halo Infinite is scheduled to release in Fall 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Due to Microsoft’s recent policy changes, the free-to-play multiplayer mode will not require Xbox Live Gold.

The new blog post was stuffed with new details on Halo Infinite–check out the stories below to learn more.

Now Playing: Halo Infinite Cinematic Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2020

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PlayStation Files Patent For Technology That Lets Spectators Mess With You in VR

PlayStation has filed a patent for technology that lets audience members participate in virtual reality content, making decisions for the active player. Or, you know, just messing with them.

The patent was filed in October of 2020 but was recently published. You can find the front page with a useful illustration of the technology in action on the US Patent and Trademark Office website.

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Audience Participation Trademark Imagery

The patent’s copy talks about how audience members will be able to participate in games while another user is immersed within virtual reality. They will be able to make decisions for the player via “spectator devices,” probably mobile phones, in a manner similar to PlayStation’s PlayLink technology, used in games like Hidden Agenda and That’s You.

It looks like you’ll be able to help or screw over the main player in virtual reality, depending on the available choices. According to the patent, this will “augment the VR scene based on the spectator inputs in response to the interactive content of the audience participation content.”

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In the provided example, we can see one user inside of virtual reality, while four friends are on the sofa behind them. On the screen visible to the audience is a voting prompt, which allows them to pick between a sword, a monster or a soup ladle. This choice is registered on the spectator devices and then sent to the player inside of virtual reality, who sees the prompt “spectators have given you a soup ladle.”

It’s not clear whether the VR user knows about the options available or not, but that would certainly add to the mischievous nature of this interesting technology. The idea immediately conjures images of spectators being able to send unwitting players down bad paths in a horror game or making story decisions for them in a narrative experience. Honestly, it just sounds really fun.

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As with all patents, the fact this was filed doesn’t necessarily indicate that Sony will go any further with development, but it’s another indication that the company is actively thinking about where to go next with its VR products.

In other PlayStation patent news, a patent revealed in September of 2020 suggested that the next PSVR headset could have Oculus-esque inside-out tracking. As of writing, the PSVR is only available on the PlayStation 5 via backwards compatibility, with Sony’s plans for the platform going forward still shrouded in mystery.

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Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Activision, EA, PlayStation, Microsoft Named In Best Places To Work For LGBTQ Equality List

The Human Rights Campaign has released the results of its 2021 Corporate Equality Index that shines a light on the US-based companies that are doing the best in regards to practices and policies related to LGBTQ workplace equality, and several gaming companies made the list.

The 2021 index includes 767 companies that received a top score for LGBTQ-inclusive policies, which is a record for the index. Included on the list with a perfect score are gaming giants like Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, as well as the retailer GameStop. Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon also made the list this year.

“The Corporate Equality Index comes out after a year the nation has faced a global pandemic, legitimate racial injustice and national unrest,” the organization said. “Within this climate, companies have continued to advance vital workplace protections for LGBTQ employees around the world, as acknowledged in this report.”

“To earn top ratings, these employers took concrete steps to establish and implement comprehensive policies, benefits, and practices that ensure greater equity for LGBTQ workers and their families.”

Smaller game companies, and major ones based outside of the US, are not included in this ranking, as it only applies mid- to large-size businesses in the country.

The Human Rights Campaign acknowledged that its list is not perfect, but it claims to offer a “foundation upon which employees can feel more comfortable living and working as their true selves–an important step, but one which is only the starting point.”

Activision Blizzard specifically recently came under fire from a Vice report that said the gaming company was trying to avoid a situation where it needed to interview at least one diverse candidate when looking to fill a job. Activision Blizzard has since shot back at the Vice report, telling GI.biz in a statement that the site “mischaracterized” the real situation.

You can read the full Human Rights Campaign report here [PDF].

Get A Justice League Dinner Delivered To Your House To Celebrate Release Of Snyder Cut

Warner Bros. is partnering once again with Wonderland Restaurants to bring a Justice League inspired meal to homes across the US to celebrate the March 18 release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max.

Limited edition boxes shaped like the Mother Box from Justice League will be delivered right to your home. The meal will cost $130/£100 for two people, and the food inside will be inspired by characters from the Justice League. These will deliver April 15-May 27, and you can preorder on Wonderland at Home.

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As you can see from the official menu above, this is a multi-course meal featuring items based on things from the DC Universe, like Jitters Coffee, a staple from The Flash. This tasting menu features fish, a burger, desert, a couple of beers and more.

The Mother Box At Home meal celebrates the home release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The film arrives on March 18 on HBO Max in the US with UK release plans to follow. This won’t be a traditional DC film though. This will be four one-hour-long parts making it the longest superhero movie to date.

This isn’t the first time Wonderland has been involved in a DC-related eating experience. In February 2020, Wonderland opened a Batman-themed restaurant called Park Row in London. The experience featured sections designed around Batman villains like Penguin and Harley Quinn.

Wonderland At Home states it has more boxed dining experiences planned for this year, which may incorporate more WB franchises.

Grounded Update Adds Flying Insects Like Bees And Mosquitos To The Xbox And PC Game

The next update for Obsidian’s adventure-survival game Grounded has arrived, and it adds flying insects to the Xbox and PC title for the first time.

Mosquitos, fireflies, and bees are now invading the world of Grounded, adding on to the ground-dwelling bugs such as ants and spiders. In a blog post, Obsidian said flying insects had been a top-requested feature from the community since launch.

In addition to the insects themselves, the new update adds more craftable items themed around the new winged creatures. These new items include Beer armor, a Firefly head lamp, and the Mosquito Needle. You need to kill the critters themselves first before you can craft the items.

In addition to all of this, Obsidian has added a new shield that you can craft from weevil parts. This shield allows you to block certain attacks that were previously impossible to block.

The new Grounded update also add more quality-of-life updates. In particular, when you die, you no longer need to find your way back to your backpack to recover your items. Instead, these items just stay with you after you die. Additionally, equipped items no longer use inventory space.

“We hope players love these insects and updates as much as we loved creating them,” Obsidian said.

Grounded remains in early access on Xbox and PC. Developer Obsidian is now owned by Microsoft, and the company is working on a new RPG called Avowed, in addition to a presumed sequel to The Outer Worlds.

Now Playing: Grounded Early Access Video Review

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Snyder Cut Of Justice League Heading To HBO Max In March, New Posters Revealed

It was announced last May that the Snyder Cut will be premiering on HBO Max, without a specific release date. Friday morning, fans of the long-awaited “uncompromised” version of Warner Bros’ Justice League movie got their answer.

The Snyder Cut will be premiering on HBO Max on March 18. In just a few weeks, we’ll finally get to see if it was worth the wait. It will be released as a four-hour-long epic, which makes it the longest-running comic book movie in history. Check out the new posters below.

Credit: WarnerMedia
Credit: WarnerMedia

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For years now, we’ve seen bits and pieces of Snyder’s original version from Henry Cavill in the black Superman costume most notably tied to his return after his death in the comics, a barbaric-looking Darkseid, and a redesigned Steppenwolf–on top of additional shoots adding characters such as Jared Leto’s Joker.

When Zack Snyder was removed as the film’s director, Avengers director Joss Whedon signed on to finish the project, injecting humor and removing a lot of what Snyder had already filmed. Justice League was met with a mixed to a lukewarm reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it’s still holding down at 40%.

The Release The Snyder Cut social media movement fired up in recent years, especially after WB initially had said they were never going to release it. It soon delved into harassment to numerous DC and WB employees.

Scrubs Star Zach Braff Joins Cheaper By The Dozen Remake At Disney+

Disney is rebooting Cheaper by the Dozen, and now the family comedy-drama has added another big name to its cast. It has been confirmed that Scrubs and Garden State star Zach Braff is joining Gabrielle Union in the remake from Black-ish creative/producer Kenya Barris.

This is a Disney+ movie and it’s on the books to release in 2022.

The Cheaper by the Dozen remake focuses on a multiracial family of 12. Braff is lined up to play the father, with Union portraying the mother.

Braff confirmed the casting on Instagram, where he wrote, “I dreamt I married Gabrielle Union and had 12 kids. It came true!!!!”

The Cheaper by the Dozen franchise dates back to 1950, but it was revitalized in 2003 with a new film that starred Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt as the parents of the gigantic family. A sequel was released in 2005, with Martin and Hunt coming back. The original film’s director, Shawn Levy, is attached as a producer on the Disney+ film.

The two Cheaper by the Dozen films released in theatres combined to make more than $320 million at the global box office. The third film will be measured differently, however, as it’s a streaming film for Disney+.

In other news, the first trailer for the Disney+ remake of The Mighty Ducks has been released.

G4 Confirms Revival of X-Play, Attack of the Show for 2021

G4 has officially confirmed that X-Play and Attack of the Show! will be returning in Summer 2021.

The news was confirmed on G4’s Twitter in a teaser video that featured the show’s logos, the voice of X-Play host Adam Sessler, and the text “We heard you. The legends return. Summer 2021. We never stopped playing.”

G4 first revealed its intention to return in the middle of 2020 during Comic-Con@Home on IGN Live, and since then, WWE’s Xavier Woods has joined as a new host and Olivia Munn has been in talks to rejoin as a host.

X-Play was a TV show known for its video game reviews and was on air from 1988 to 2013. Throughout the years, it was hosted by Adam Sessler, Morgan Webb, Blair Herter, Jessica Chobot, Lauren Fielder, Kristin Adams, and more.

Attack of the Show! was a live TV show all about the best in pop culture. It did feature video game coverage, but was much broader than X-Play and also discussed news headlines, tech, movies, and more.

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Attack of the Show! aired from 2005 to 2013 and was hosted by Kevin Pereira, Olivia Munn, Alison Haislip, Candace Bailey, Sara Jean Underwood, Kevin Rose, and more.

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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.

WandaVision Episode 4: Every Easter Egg, Clue, And Comics Call-Back

WandaVision Episode 4 offered answers, clues, and even more fuel for your MCU conspiracy theories.

WandaVision Episode 4 offered answers, clues, and even more fuel for your MCU conspiracy theories.

Well, we were wrong in our guess about WandaVision Episode 4 taking place in the 1980s–this week we broke the format entirely for some major expository bombshells and answers to questions. Sort of. Rather than return to the sitcom-flavored wackiness of Westview, Episode 4 took a more zoomed out approach dealing with the world outside the town’s mysterious boundary.

This meant a whole slew of familiar MCU faces cropping back up for the first time in a long time. Both Agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) and Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) made their returns to help SWORD try and sort the Westview mystery out. We also got to officially meet adult Monica Rambeau for the first time–as herself, rather than “Geraldine,” that is–and check in with some Captain Marvel history in the process.

However, for all the answers this episode gave us, there are still some major questions at play, like how and why Vision is “alive” (if he even is alive at all), why the sitcoms are being broadcast out, and what’s going on with characters like Agnes and the newborn twins?

So as we attempt to process through all of that, we’ve picked out 22 Easter Eggs, potential clues, and things to pay attention to as you craft your theories for next week’s episode.

Start Building the Game You Want to Play WIth Zenva Academy


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Fans of Apple’s “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet” will appreciate this: If you can’t find the game you want to play, well, why not build it yourself? That’s totally doable these days with courses available online to help you learn the world of coding. After all, that’s what’s video games are: lines and lines and lines of code.

If this sounds like a dream, check out this one-year unlimited access to Zenva Academy. It’s only $139.99 for a limited time. That’s nothing compared to the average salary of a game programmer in 2019: $66,906. Let’s be real: That should only go up with your skill level. Let Zenva Academy be your starting point for this world of coding.

This purchase gives you access to 250 courses that’ll teach you all about programming. They’ll get into mobile apps, data science, and web development. The academy will teach you how to create actual projects. You should walk away from the academy having developed a virtual reality and augmented reality app. The academy is designed to welcome all skill levels. You don’t have to be a coding expert to complete some courses with some real experience under your belt.

What’s perhaps most appealing about this one-year access to Zenva Academy is that you can do it at your own pace. There aren’t deadlines or due dates, so if you’re a parent or already work a full-time job, you can fit the courses in around your schedule. This is a great convenience for those who have limited time. This discount can help bring you closer to your goals of game development or web design. For only $139.99, give yourself a year to learn how your favorite games were built—and create some yourself.

 

Zenva Academy: 1-Yr Unlimited Access – $139.99

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