Netflix product chief Greg Peters, who also became the streaming service’s chief operating officer in 2020, says the company is poised to help lead the charge for further eroding theatrical windows preceding streaming debuts for content. Speaking with Deadline, Peters predicted, “It’s what consumers want. It’s hard to buck that trend for too long and I think that’s eventually where things go.”
Noticeably absent from the complaints, Peters says, were the audiences. “We have created the most compelling collection of entertainment available at the click of a button that’s ever existed. That’s incredible for consumers and for our members. For us, as user experience designers and builders, it creates a challenge because across that wide range of choice, our job is to distill that down into something that makes it easy and fun and exciting to pick what you want to watch next.”
Or to put it another way, the coronavirus forced a reassessment in the film industry when the reality quickly became–and still is–that audiences cannot safely get to the theater. As more and more streaming services emerge, and more exclusive content populates each ecosystem, it’s clear the only direction we can go for watching movies, and for the time being it isn’t to how things were before COVID-19.
The benefits of a VPN when using Netflix, Amazon Prime, or any other streaming service are well-known, but the positives a VPN can bring to gaming aren’t as obvious. While a VPN is never going to be able to improve your K/D ratio or help you reach Diamond, there are still some benefits to turning on a VPN before you jump into your favorite game. These benefits can be a bit opaque, so we’ve broken down exactly what you can gain from using a VPN as well as some of the disadvantages.
What is a VPN?
First, let’s take a step back and break down exactly what a VPN is. VPNs, or virtual private networks, offer a secure private connection for you to send and receive data safely. This means you can browse and use the internet without being tracked, whether by websites, applications, or people trying to access your network remotely. Of course, VPNs are largely focused on security, but they’re not typically used by people looking to increase their safety measures. VPNs are most commonly used for entertainment purposes.
VPNs allow people to mask their IP address and trick websites and applications into thinking they’re browsing from a different country. Each region has its own library of content on the vast majority of streaming services, and with a VPN, you aren’t limited by your own country’s selection. For example, if a movie isn’t available on Netflix in the US, a VPN will disguise your real location so that you’re able to watch it, even if you’re not in the country where it’s streaming.
While most people use VPNs for accessing entertainment from around the world, they can also be used for gaming as there are some key advantages that can improve your experience. These advantages are a bit niche, but they’re advantages nonetheless.
Advantages of a VPN for gaming
A VPN won’t be beneficial for every gamer. But for some, the advantages of a VPN for gaming can be quite substantial, especially if you’re interested in games from other countries or peer-to-peer multiplayer games.
Access region-locked games
Similar to how people use VPNs with Netflix, you can use your VPN to access games that haven’t been released in your country. Some platforms, such as Steam, prohibit the use of VPNs to access restricted content, but there are a number of games only available in Asian regions that can be played through the use of a VPN. For example, Phantasy Star Online 2 was only available in Japan for nearly eight years before it was released in the west. Call of Duty Online is another game that’s only available in China and playable through the use of a VPN.
Access game servers in other regions
Accessing games in other regions can be a spotty affair, but VPNs also give you the opportunity to access and join game servers in other regions. This can make it possible for US gamers to play with their friends in the UK, Japan, or any other country. Keep in mind, however, that playing in servers not allocated specifically for your region can result in a less-than-stellar connection.
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Do VPNs Improve Gaming?
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The answer to this question is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. VPNs don’t replace your internet provider, so you won’t see much improvement in your connection speed or quality. It can, however, relieve strain on your connection in specific settings, such as online peer-to-peer multiplayer games.
Peer-to-peer (or P2P) is when players connect to each other as opposed to a dedicated server. This results in laggy, unstable experiences if you or other players experience network issues or have poor internet connections. A reliable VPN can help smooth this out, reducing ping and improving your experience overall. One particularly noteworthy game that uses peer-to-peer is Grand Theft Auto Online, though most games these days use a mix of dedicated servers and peer-to-peer technology.
VPNs can help prevent DDoS attacks
DDoS attacks happen when someone identifies a user or server’s IP address and essentially overloads it, bringing it down and rendering it unusable. This is a big problem for any game, and while we wish a VPN could help prevent large-scale DDoS events on some of the more popular servers, a VPN can only protect the person using it. VPNs can prevent any potential attacker from getting your personal IP address.
You may wonder why someone would pick you out of a crowd and try to ruin your fun, but there are a lot of well-documented cases of this happening in Grand Theft Auto Online. Because of its peer-to-peer connection, it’s not unusual to see your bank account flooded with money, be set on fire seemingly randomly, or see any number of hijinks and shenanigans happen on a minute-by-minute basis. Players are capable of causing a whole lot of mischief in Grand Theft Auto Online, and if someone had a grudge against you for any reason (or just wanted to cause trouble for you), they could hit you with a DDoS attack and bring your session to an end.
Disadvantages of a VPN for gaming
While most people only think of the positive benefits to be gained from a VPN, they do have their downsides. For one, despite the fact that VPNs are completely legal, they can violate the terms of service of some websites and applications. For example, Steam’s user agreement is strict about the use of VPNs. It states, “You will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your account.”
Because of this, you should practice caution when using a VPN. Make sure the games you play, the platforms you use, and anything else you access through your VPN are okay with you doing so. Otherwise, you could lose access to your accounts and services.
Good VPNs also cost money. You can use free VPNs, but we advise against doing so as you can never know what they’re doing with your data or browsing history. They could also be gateways for malicious software entering your network and computer.
Are VPNs worth it for gaming?
Ultimately, that depends on the type of gaming you’re doing and the level of security you like to have. For the vast majority of people, having a VPN for gaming isn’t necessary. However, if you’re playing a lot of peer-to-peer multiplayer games like Grand Theft Auto Online or just want to access region-specific games, a VPN definitely worth considering. Of course, the yearly cost of a good VPN is nothing to sneeze at, so these services are most worth it if you’re interested in their other benefits as well, such as streaming content from other countries or using it for greater web security.
So what are your options? For our top VPN picks, the best deal is usually to pay in yearly chunks. ExpressVPN offers 12 months for $6.67 per month and gives you three additional months for free. That means you pay about $80 for 15 months of coverage. Another excellent option: You can get 24 months for $60 at Surfshark, one of the best VPNs for speed and features. And for those who need a VPN for a limited time, PureVPN has a 7-day trial for $1, which renews at $70 for 12 months. Any of these VPNs are great choices, and they all have a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can check out more of our top picks below as well as CNET’s 2021 VPN guide for details on specific services.
On a recent appearance on TBS’ Conan, Randall Park (Fresh off the Boat, Ant-Man and the Wasp) told host Conan O’Brien about his experiences doing a rare fight scene in WandaVision. In meticulous, self-deprecating style, Park told the host about the even more meticulous work Marvel’s fight choreographers had to do with him on turning in the performance you can see in the clip below.
“It was thrilling,” Park said. “I rarely get to do choreographed fight scenes… so the fact I got the chance to do that was so great.” But while the clip above whizzes by in a few seconds and after some heavy hits land, Park noted that the process was anything but smooth.
Park said the preparation for the scene began “weeks before we shot that fight scene” and entailed daily work training and getting the staging correct. And before even that began, the actor explained, the fight coordinator asked Park to show their team how he sees the fight scene playing out. Park didn’t give the details on what he pitched, but he cut to the chase: “I remember the coordinator, he was trying to be nice [but saying], ‘Yeah, no, that’s all wrong. That’s not how one fights… you gotta make a fist. There’s no slapping.'”
Further into the prep, Park added, the trainer pulled him aside and asked, “Why are you screaming so much? This is Marvel. There’s no screaming during a fight.”
Park appears in both the 2018 film Ant-Man and the Wasp and the soon to be concluded Season 1 of WandaVision as Agent Jimmy Woo, an FBI agent working with S.W.O.R.D. The finale will air on March 5, and then on March 12 will be followed by the premiere of Assembled, a new documentary series of specials that will go behind the scenes of Marvel Cinematic Universe television shows and movies. The first episode of the latter series will take a deep dive on WandaVision.
Paul Wight–formerly known as the Big Show in WWE–made waves in the world of wrestling last week when it was announced he would be signing with All Elite Wrestling. Cody Rhodes believes he could be doing more for the company in the future, outside of his commentary duties.
During a media call for the AEW Revolution PPV, which takes place on Sunday, March 7, Rhodes discussed Wight’s signing on with the company. “I do think there’s a match, or two, or three or four and that’s just me personally because I know he’s able to still go at a high level,” explained Rhodes. “But from a management standpoint, I’m most excited about him just being in our locker room.”
Wight will be doing commentary for the upcoming show AEW: Elevation, which debuts on March 15 on AEW’s YouTube channel. Getting Wight to sign on wasn’t difficult. “There wasn’t a long negotiation process simply because he wants to be here,” Rhodes said. “Very much so. And he wants to be here in a different capacity, as far as announcing and commentary goes with Elevation.”
However, Wight comes to AEW with more than his voice and insight. He can be very helpful backstage with his decades of experience. “We have so many young people who are now all of a sudden famous,” explained Rhodes. “Nobody knew who Britt Baker, Sammy Guevara, MJF, or Ricky Starks really were a few years ago, and now they’re emerging on cable and across WarnerMedia, and they’re the future of wrestling. They’re all very important to me, and someone like Paul–not unlike how Sting has been–someone like that is really good to keep people grounded. To keep things in perspective, Paul Wight has has more to give. And he’s going to give it, and he’s going to give it to AEW.”
Wight will kick off his new role on AEW Elevation. As for Rhodes, he’ll be appearing at the Revolution PPV in a match vs. Scorpio Sky, Pénta El Zero M (Pentagón Jr.), Lance Archer, Dark Order’s 10 or Max Caster (depending on who wins a match on the March 3 episode of Dynamite), and one more unannounced wrestler. The winner of this ladder match will get a TNT Championship bout in the future.
A proposed bill before the Arizona House of Representatives could have big implications for Epic Games’ legal battle against Apple and Google over Fortnite. If it is ultimately passed into law, it could create another facet for the ongoing litigation between the software giants.
The Verge reports that an amendment to Arizona’s HB2005 prevents app stores in the state from forcing developers to use their preferred payment system. In practice, that would mean that Apple and Google can’t require Epic Games or other software developers to go through their own proprietary payment systems for in-app purchases.
The legislation places the restriction on stores exceeding 1 million downloads, which would include Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store, and bars those companies from retaliating against developers who use third-party payment systems. It also applies to state residents, keeping them from being required to use exclusive payment methods. It carves out an exemption for game consoles and other “special-purpose devices.”
The amendment made its way through the Arizona House Appropriations Committee last week before going to a full House vote this week. Arizona Democrats have argued that the state legislature shouldn’t insert itself into the middle of a legal battle between the software companies. Now that it has passed the House, it will go to the state senate and then, if passed there, to Governor Doug Ducey.
If successfully passed into law, it will represent another wrinkle in the legal feud between Apple and Google. It could very well impact both companies’ business in the state, though it may also lead to further legal action.
The bill was endorsed by the Coalition for App Fairness, an industry group started by Epic Games and other tech companies impacted by Apple and Google’s practices.
“The Coalition for App Fairness is pleased to see the House passage of HB 2005, which will encourage business innovation in Arizona and protect consumer choice,” the CAF said in a statement. “While this is cause for celebration, it is only a first step toward achieving a truly level playing field for all.” We look forward to working with the Arizona State Senate to move a solution forward that builds on this momentum to provide consumer freedom, lower costs, and increase developers’ ability to thrive and innovate.”
Other similar bills have been proposed in Georgia, Hawaii, and Minnesota, due to lobbying from the CAF. One such proposed bill failed to pass in North Dakota.
The legal battle began when Epic Games updated its Fortnite app on mobile devices in such a way that circumvented Apple and Google’s in-app payment systems, with a discount offered for using the alternative method. The app was quickly pulled, and Epic responded with an apparently ready-to-go PR blitz featuring in-game Fortnite events and a short film. The Epic vs Apple trial is set to begin on May 3.
AHS Season 10 is coming in the near future, but we’re also getting a spinoff show called American Horror Stories. According to Ryan Murphy there will be 16 one-hour standalone episodes delving into horror myths, legends and lore, adding that many of the episodes will feature AHS stars that we know and love.
In Part One of our AHS spinoff predictions, Ryan and Greg break down what we absolutely need to see in this new spinoff series, giving you nine theories about possible storylines, including aliens, a Scream Queens crossover, and the return of Rubberman.
Newegg has just kicked off two new sales, one called Home Court Madness and another 72-hour flash sale. The Home Court Madness sale discounts a number of 4K TVs, gaming laptops, and PC components, while the 72-hour sale has deals on gaming peripherals and other products. Home Court Madness lasts until Sunday, March 7, while the 72-hour sale runs through Friday, March 5. One of the most notable deals is for the 256GB Oculus Quest 2, which comes with a $20 gift card. While that’s not exactly a discount, this is the first deal we’ve seen for new VR headset.
We’ve selected some of the best deals and compiled them below. In addition to keyboards, mice, and controllers, there are also a number of discounts on PC gaming components, such as cooling systems, processors, and SSDs.
The Oculus Quest 2 is the best VR headset you can buy right now, and while you’re not saving any money on this particular deal (and you have to buy the more expensive 256GB model), you do get a $20 gift card with purchase. On top of that, 256GB is enough space that you’re unlikely to run out any time soon, making it a great option for those who like to play a large number of VR games and experiences.
The K100 is Corsair’s best gaming keyboard thanks to its excellent key switches, wrist rest, and dial. It’s completely customizable with the company’s iCUE software, allowing you to set macros, tweak the RGB lighting, and assign the dial to different actions, such as scrolling, controlling volume, or even scrubbing through videos.
If you’re a fan of MMOs, MOBAs, or RTS games, the Corsair Scimitar RGB Elite gaming mouse is worth checking out. It features 17 programmable buttons, an adjustable 18K DPI optical sensor, and customizable RGB lighting.
Thanks to the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator, flight sticks and controllers were hard to find last year, but now many are back in stock. Newegg has a nice little deal that takes $10 off the Logitech G Saitek Pro flight yoke system with promo code 35ACFLHSL34. It features a stainless steel yoke shaft and two-position clamp as well as 14 buttons and a three-position mode switch.
The Gigabyte G27QC monitor is an excellent gaming display, boasting a 165Hz refresh rate, 1440p resolution, and 1ms response time. It also features support for HDR, FreeSync Premium, and G-Sync compatibility.
The Samsung Q60T is a great budget 4K TV that features a QLED panel, HDR10+ support, and various smart features. It comes with three HDMI inputs, so you have plenty of room for multiple consoles and a streaming box.
The Napoleon Bonaparte movie from director Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix is close to signing another star. Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer is the top pick to play Josephine, Bonaparte’s wife, according to Deadline’s sources.
The site’s sources said it’s still “early” in the process, so Comer hasn’t officially signed on yet. However, Deadline said Comer is Scott’s top choice and “all signs point to it coming together.”
The movie is called Kitbag and it’s being made for Apple TV+. It probably won’t release anytime soon, as Scott is currently working on the MGM crime movie House of Gucci starring Lady Gaga, moving on to Kitbag after that.
Scott and Comer have worked together before, as he directed her in the period movie The Last Duel, which also stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Adam Driver. “Insiders say Scott was blown away by her work during production of the film, which wrapped at the end of last year,” the report said.
Kitbag–which is a reference to the line, “There is a general’s staff hidden in every soldier’s kitbag”–is just the latest big get for Apple Studios. In 2020, Apple signed the new movie Emancipation from Antoine Fuqua and starring Will Smith, as well as Killers of the Flower Moon from Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.
As for Comer, she’s expected to film Killing Eve season 4 this year, while she is set to appear in the Ryan Reynolds video game movie Free Guy later in 2021.
The creator of the Yakuza series says it may be time for the development team to try something entirely new, after so many years devoted to the franchise. In an interview, Ryu Ga Gotoku director Toshihiro Nagoshi talks about his hope that he can allow his team to stretch their development muscles.
“The Ryu Ga Gotoku team members, they’ve only really worked on the Yakuza series,” Nagoshi told Game Informer. “But I think it would be a waste if these really talented team members that we have aren’t able to use all of their skills to their full potential. That might be challenging themselves, creating something of a whole different genre and a different style. We don’t know that yet, but that’s something that we’re really taking into consideration right now for the growth of our team as a whole.”
Ryu Ga Gotoku has dabbled in new genres within the Yakuza universe–it explored the other side of crime dramas with Judgment, and turned its latest Yakuza game, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, into a turn-based RPG. But it does sound like the team may want to venture even further from its comfort zone.
The Yakuza series has been in development for more than 15 years, and only gained more mainstream success in the West relatively recently. Most of the series focuses on the life of yakuza Kazuma Kiryu, while Like a Dragon introduced an entirely new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga. Like a Dragon scored a 9/10 in GameSpot’s review.
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Take-Two’s top executive has spoken about remasters, saying what separates his company’s games from the competition is a focus on quality and making sure the remaster feels like it’s taking advantage of the new hardware instead of standing as a simple port.
During a Morgan Stanley speaking event, Strauss Zelnick said remasters have always been a part of Take-Two’s strategy, and this is expected to continue.
“I’m not sure they’ll be a bigger part of the strategy. Remastering has always been a part of the strategy. What we’ve done differently than the competition is we don’t just port titles over,” he said (via VGC). “We actually take the time to do the very best job we can making the title different for the new release for the new technology that we’re launching it on.”
Take-Two’s new major remaster is Grand Theft Auto V for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which launches in the second half of 2021. The Rockstar-developed game will have a series of upgrades on the new machines, and Zelnick believes Take-Two’s commitment to quality is “why I think our remastered titles typically do so well.”
Zelnick specifically praised the Mafia remasters from 2K Games, while he also remarked that GTA V is now heading into its third console generation, which demonstrates a massive level of success for the game. Zelnick said he feels “confident Rockstar is going to deliver a great experience but you can’t do that if you’re just doing a simple port.”
In February, Zelnick was asked directly of Rockstar would consider remastering some of its older GTA games. Zelnick opted to let Rockstar speak for itself, but the executive did say he believes it’s a “great and encouraging question” to think about.
GTA V has already sold 140 million copies, and it’s poised to grow even bigger with the launch on next-gen consoles. Despite the game’s success, Zelnick said there might be a saturation point for GTA V, which is why the company is launching a standalone edition of GTA Online.
“As you sell that many units, you at some point will arrive at the conclusion that you’ve saturated the market for purchasing the title,” Zelnick said. “At that point you’re willing to experiment with the possibility that maybe there is another way to bring people into the online experience. Make it super-low friction. Low price point. Sure, you don’t have access to the original single-player experience, but you do have access to an online world. Our view is perhaps that’s a different market and that’s a way to expand the player base.”
Take-Two already experimented with a standalone multiplayer offering, as it released a standalone edition of Red Dead Online in 2020. The game was hugely successful in terms of driving people to the game, and he said there may be a scenario where people who buy the standalone game become intrigued in the single-player and decide to buy it.
