WWE Takeover Tampa Matches To Appear On NXT

Sports Illustrated is reporting that NXT’s Tampa Bay Takeover will air on the WWE Network, starting next week on April 1. With Wrestlemania becoming two nights, which will include the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the black and gold brand’s biggest night got bumped up to NXT’s regular night.

The final card isn’t officially set, but Triple H will be live on March 25th’s episode of NXT to be on commentary and more than likely put things in stone. Right now, the only confirmed match is a six-woman ladder match to determine the #1 contender for the NXT Women’s Championship (Chelsea Green, Mia Yim, and Teagon Nox are the only named competitors at this time).

More than likely, Adam Cole will defend his NXT Championship against the returning Velveteen Dream, while Keith Lee will defends his North American Championship. With only a week to hype things up, it’ll be interesting to see if they can make fans watching at home invested enough to tune in.

Takeover has this legacy of almost outshining Wrestlemania in the past years, but with this coming down to the wire, could it happen again? WWE’s entire schedule was thrown off, much like other mainstream sports leagues, with the Coronavirus pandemic, but giving this kind of line up early is a best case scenario for them.

Sony Slowing PS4 Download Speeds In Europe To Help Internet Reliability

With internet usage growing due to social distancing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Sony has announced plans intended to help mitigate the impact of the PlayStation Network on internet reliability in Europe. Specifically, Sony Interactive Entertainment president Jim Ryan has announced the company is “working with internet service providers in Europe to manage download traffic to help preserve access for the entire internet community.”

While PS4 wasn’t specifically cited, it’s undoubtedly PS4 users that represent the bulk of SIE’s network traffic. (Recent weeks have seen some massive updates and game download sizes, including those of Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.) However, while downloads themselves may be slower, it doesn’t sound as if European PSN users shouldn’t expect online gameplay to be impacted.

“Players may experience somewhat slower or delayed game downloads but will still enjoy robust gameplay,” Ryan explained in a PlayStation Blog post. “We appreciate the support and understanding from our community, and their doing their part, as we take these measures in an effort to preserve access for everyone.”

“We believe it is important to do our part to address internet stability concerns as an unprecedented number of people are practicing social distancing and are becoming more reliant on internet access,” Ryan added.

This news comes after the European Union’s Internal Market and Services Commissioner, Thierry Breton, requested streaming services also take steps to reduce their impact on the internet. Subsequently, Netflix announced plans to do just that. At this point, Sony has not announced plans to enact similar measures elsewhere, including North America.

Plague Inc. Developer Donates $250,000 To Fight Coronavirus

Plague Inc. developer Ndemic Creations’ game simulates what might happen in the event of an unstoppable pandemic, but the company is now doing its part to stop one. Ndemic announced this week that it donated $250,000 in order to fight the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The donation was made to the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations as well as the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. The former is dedicated to developing and financing vaccines to treating new infectious disease, while the latter is focused on preventing, detecting, and treating COVID-19 worldwide.

“Eight years ago, I never imagined the real world would come to resemble a game of Plague Inc., or that so many players would be using Plague Inc. to help them get through an actual pandemic,” the game’s creator James Vaughan said in the announcement. “We are proud to be able to help support the vital work of the WHO and CEPI as they work towards finding a vaccine for COVID-19.”

A new mode is also coming to Plague Inc. that focuses on stopping a global outbreak. The mode will include techniques currently being implemented to stop the coronavirus from spreading, including quarantining and social distancing. Experts from the WHO and Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network are assisting with development, and it will be a free update for all players.

Plague Inc. was removed from the Chinese App Store after regulators ruled it contained illegal content. Government officials didn’t clarify if the decision was made as a direct result of the outbreak, but sales had spiked in the country in the previous month.

Now Playing: Plague Inc. Cinematic Trailer

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Ahead Of Resident Evil 3, Save On The Resident Evil Franchise In Latest Xbox One Weekly Deals

Each week, Microsoft discounts a huge selection of games on the Xbox Store. This week’s deals just went live and are led by a Resident Evil franchise sale. The timing is perfect, as the Resident Evil 3 remake launches April 3 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Microsoft is also hosting a promotion on game add-ons for popular titles like Grand Theft Auto V, Rocket League, Black Desert, and NBA 2K20. If you spend $50 or more on microtransactions until March 31, you’ll get $5 back ($10 if you’re a Game Pass subscriber). Square Enix’s publisher sale is still live for another week, so there’s still time to get a bunch of Final Fantasy games for cheap.

If you feel like replaying old Resident Evil games again or stepping into their frightful worlds for the first time, now’s a good time to take the plunge. Last year’s superb Resident Evil 2 remake is 50% off at $20. Meanwhile, the most recent mainline game, Resident Evil 7, drops to $15 (was $20). Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, and Resident Evil 6 are even cheaper–each are available for just $8 (were $20).

On the lookout for a gripping adventure? All three modern Tomb Raider games are on sale for really low prices. Tomb Raider (2013) is down to $6 (was $30), Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration drops to $9 (was $30), and Shadow of the Tomb Raider is $19.79 (was $60).

You can also save big on a few blockbuster hits from the last couple of years. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: Gold Edition–which includes all post-launch DLC–is on sale for just $25 (was $100). The Division 2: Warlords of New York Edition comes with the recent expansion and is on sale for $40.19 (was $60), and Capcom’s excellent action-RPG Monster Hunter World is $15 (was $30).

As always, Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can shop an expanded selection of deals. The biggie this week is A Plague Tale: Innocence–one of GameSpot’s best games of 2019–for $16.49, which is the lowest price we’ve seen.

You can browse the full slate of Xbox One deals at the Microsoft Store and check out our curated picks below. You don’t necessarily have to spend money to enjoy some new gaming experiences. Right now, there are a ton of free games available to download across all platforms.

Best Xbox One game deals

*indicates deals exclusive to Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers

Now Playing: Top New Games Coming Soon To Switch, PS4, Xbox One, And PC — March 22-31, 2020

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Death Stranding’s Expanded PC Photo Mode Is Also Coming To PS4

Death Stranding is coming to PC this summer with a few enhancements, including an expanded photo mode. However, PS4 players won’t be left out, as the console version is getting an update that gives you even more ways to take pictures during your cross-country journey.

Director Hideo Kojima revealed the news on his official Twitter account, saying the PS4 version will actually be getting the PC version’s photo mode before the PC version is out. His studio’s goal is currently to have it out by the end of the month in a title update.

Once released, the update will let you take images of protagonist Sam while you’re exploring the world and delivering supplies. Previously, you could snap images while Sam looked into the mirror in his room, complete with silly faces.

With filters and text available for the images, it should turn both PS4 and PC players into artists during their journey. There is certainly plenty of time to take pictures during the game’s long runtime, especially during its early chapters.

When Death Stranding releases for PC on June 2, it will include a high frame rate option, as well as ultra-wide monitor support and Half-Life content. Fellow PS4 exclusive Horizon: Zero Dawn will join the game with a PC launch, though you shouldn’t expect all Sony-published games to do the same.

Death Stranding is an ambitious game, and one that requires a major commitment. In GameSpot’s Death Stranding review, Kallie Plagge praised its unique take on multiplayer and shift away from traditional video game violence.

Now Playing: Death Stranding Video Review

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Watch Part 1 Of Vice’s Dark Side Of The Ring Chris Benoit Episode Before Part 2 Airs

Vice’s mini-documentary series Dark Side of The Ring returns this week with a two-hour premiere covering the shocking Chris Benoit murder case. In 2007, Chris Benoit, one of wrestling’s greatest technicians and well-loved superstars, murdered both his wife Nancy and their seven-year-old son Daniel before killing himself. Part 1 of the episode aired on March 20, and Part 2 will arrive to Vice TV on March 24.

The news sent shockwaves through the wrestling world and transcended mainstream news that opened up a slew of controversies. Now, Vice is taking a deeper look at the horrific murders through the eyes and voices of those that lived through the tragedy. Vice has put up the first part of the series as a “sneak peek”, as you can see below.

The documentary offers unprecedented access to Benoit’s inner circle of family and friends, who reveal their complicated feelings about the tragedy 13 years later including his son, David, who is trying to make a name for himself in the wrestling business.

“That definitely was not him. He’s still my hero,” and Sandra Toffoloni, Nancy Benoit’s sister: “I think I do, someday want to forgive him…it’s not today.”

Also interviewed are a multitude of wrestling personalities including Chavo Guerrero, Jr., Vickie Guerrero, Chris Jericho (who also narrates the episode), Jim Ross, and Dean Malenko.

Dark Side of The Ring Season 2 will premiere on Tuesday, March 24 9 PM ET / PT on VICE TV with Benoit’s two-hour special episode, then will air weekly on Tuesdays at 10 ET / PT.

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Update – V13.00 Patch Notes

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne’s latest major update 13.00 is out now for console players, with two new variant monsters, a “layered weapons” feature, and a whole lot of bug fixes.

The new update is 1.4GB on PlayStation 4, and 2.1GB on Xbox One, and is available now. PC players will have to wait until April 8, though after this update PC and console updates will drop at the same time.

The patch adds the new monster variants Raging Brachydios and Furious Rajang, and new armour sets for each. These new types of Brachydios and Rajang, and the new strategies that will be needed to combat them, are discussed in the Developer Diary Volume 5 video.

As far as unlocking these tense new hunts, the patch notes say “both monsters will appear in new special assignments after finishing the main story of Iceborne and unlocking the tundra region in the Guiding Lands.”

The biggest new feature added is weapon layering, allowing item aesthetics to be customized without changing the all-important stats. You can read more about how layering works here.

The level cap for master rank armor upgrades has been raised, and a few quality-of-life changes have been made to Steamworks operations.

A new item has been added that will allow quest leaders to banish a monster from the Guiding Lands, and new decor and BGM are available for rooms in Seliana. New charms have been added, including Fury Charm V, Power Charm V, Mighty Charm III, and Challenger Charm V. All of these additions are exclusively for players with the Iceborne expansion.

The rest of the patch notes detail the various bugs that have been ironed out in the 13.00 patch–you can read through the whole list here.

GameSpot’s review of Monster Hunter World: Iceborne said, “Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is more of the same, glorious slog for everyone who’s ever been taken down by a fire-breathing facsimile of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and thought, ‘I can’t wait to do that 50 times over.'” Read the whole thing here.

Now Playing: Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Video Review

Hallmark Is Bringing Its Christmas Movie Marathon Back For Some Self-Isolation Cheer

As more and more people enter both mandatory and voluntary self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, entertainment companies keep coming up with new ways to keep everyone occupied. The latest is Hallmark, which is bringing back its mega Christmas movie marathon so we can all sit back, enjoy the cheese, and pretend 2020 is already over.

The Hallmark Channel marathon is set to start at noon ET/PT on Friday, with 27 sickly sweet Christmas rom-coms running all the way through to Sunday at 6 PM, as reported by Entertainment Tonight.

Here are all the movies that will be part of the marathon, from the full schedule here.

  • A Christmas Detour
  • Holiday Date
  • A Christmas Love Story
  • Mingle All the Way
  • Christmas Under Wraps
  • Crown for Christmas
  • The Christmas Cottage
  • A Royal Christmas
  • Marry Me at Christmas
  • A Very Merry Mix-Up
  • Christmas at Graceland: Home for the Holidays
  • Snow Bride
  • Switched for Christmas
  • Christmas at Dollywood
  • The Nine Lives of Christmas
  • Christmas at the Plaza
  • Christmas Town
  • Picture a Perfect Christmas
  • The Sweetest Christmas
  • Coming Home for Christmas
  • Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses
  • Pride, Prejudice & Mistletoe
  • Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy
  • A Shoe Addict’s Christmas
  • Christmas Under the Stars
  • Write Before Christmas
  • Christmas in Rome

To really get into it, why not dig out your Christmas sweaters, make a mug of hot chocolate, and cuddle up by the fire for this one.

If Christmas rom-coms aren’t really your jam, check out GameSpot’s recommendations for the best movies, TV shows, and games to keep you occupied during this period, including some free and cheap titles for you to explore right now.

Now Playing: Die Hard – The Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told

Netflix Is Downgrading Video Quality In Australia To Help Keep Networks From Overloading

As is already the case across Europe, Netflix is downgrading the video quality of movies and TV in Australia as part of an effort to mitigate problems related to internet overload as more people stay home amid concerns around COVID-19.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Netflix will begin compressing the bit rates of content from this evening (24 March) to help the National Broadband Network (NBN) continue to operate normally.

Netflix vice president Ken Florence told SMH that the reduced bit rates will be in place for the next 30 days. “Given the crisis, we’ve developed a way to reduce Netflix’s traffic on the telecommunications network by 25 percent while also maintaining the quality of our service,” he said.

Florence downplayed the impact of this move, saying only those who are “particularly tuned into video quality” may notice a “very slight decrease” in quality.

In other news about Netflix and the coronavirus pandemic, the streaming company has created a $100 million fund to help support hourly workers on its various productions now that every Netflix TV show and movie that was in production has now been shut down.

Now Playing: Best Things To Stream For March 2020 – Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video

Bad Boys for Life Will Arrive Early on Digital

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s belated buddy cop blockbuster Bad Boys for Life is joining the lengthy list of films getting an early digital release amid the current COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, reports Variety.

Bad Boys for Life will hit digital platforms on March 31 (its physical 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD release is slated for several weeks later, on April 21).

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Bad Boys for Life originally hit cinemas on January 16 in Australia and January 17 in the UK and North America – so the gap between its theatrical and home release isn’t quite as truncated as other films recently confirmed to be making unusually speedy home releases – but it is still slightly earlier than has previously been typical.

The long-gestating follow-up to 1995’s Bad Boys and 2003’s Bad Boys II, Bad Boys for Life has been well-received by fans and critics and is currently 2020’s highest grossing film. IGN’s review called Bad Boys for Life an outrageous throwback threequel with great cast chemistry and plenty of all-out action.

Development on a fourth instalment has already been confirmed.

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While the spread of COVID-19 has resulted in considerable upheaval across the entertainment industry, more importantly there are number of things you can do to stay safe during this pandemic.

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Luke is Games Editor at IGN’s Sydney office. You can find him on Twitter every few days @MrLukeReilly.