Enter The Chipotle Warzone Challenge For A Chance To Win $25,000

The Chipotle Challenger Series is back with the Chipotle Warzone Challenge. Continuing their efforts in esports, Chipotle is hosting a Call of Duy: Warzone online tournament on your system of choice thanks to crossplay. Qualifying teams and popular streamers will have the opportunity to showcase their skills to win $25,000, and all the burritos they can eat for a year.

The competition will consist of three qualifying rounds on April 16, 21, and 23. The top eight teams from each round will make it through to the live-broadcast finale on April 30 and compete for a cash jackpot. Along with the money and burritos, Chipotle will also donate an additional $25,000 to a COVID-19 relief organization of the winner’s choosing.

To enter contestants will need to be part of a 4-player team, a resident of the United States, at least 17 years of age, and have an authentic and legitimate version of Call of Duy: Warzone. For a more in-depth look at the rules and qualifications check of the Chipotle Warzone Challenge official page.

The Challenger Series started in 2019 at Dreamhack Dallas, and now the entire country will have a chance to showcase their skills to the world this month.

Stardew Valley Is Adding Bananas Thanks To A Twitter Poll

Stardew Valley is getting a new fruit in its next update, and it’s all thanks to a Twitter user poll. The beloved indie farming game will add banana trees soon, meaning you’ll be able to grow and harvest the fruit in-game.

Bananas beat out mangoes, avocadoes, and passionfruit, although developer Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone noted that mangoes were the runner-up on Twitter in a way that suggests that they, too, could come to the game eventually. It’s not yet clear when this update will launch, or what else it might contain.

We know that a big 1.5 update for Stardew Valley is being planned, but bananas could be added in a smaller, incremental update.

This update comes in the wake of the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a game where harvesting fruit is a huge part of the experience. Notably, New Horizons features none of the fruit in Barone’s poll. Fruits in Stardew Valley can be sold, or turned into preserves or wine.

Barone is currently working on some new projects too, but a Stardew Valley 2 is not planned, even though he is planning games set within the same universe.

Now Playing: Stardew Valley – Multiplayer Trailer

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Guardians Of The Galaxy Director Talks About Rocket Raccoon’s Third Movie Arc And Working With Marvel

GameSpot’s sister site Comicbook.com recently hosted a “Quarantine Watch Party” of Guardians of the Galaxy with director James Gunn, where the director watched the film and tweeted about it alongside fans, answering questions as they came in. The site has collected some of the best insights to come out of the watch party, which includes some details about the upcoming third third in the series and some details about Gunn’s process working with Marvel.

Responding to a question about Rocket Racoon’s origins, and whether Chapter 3 will dig into them further, Gunn said that the third movie will pay off on long-term plans for the character. He says that a lot of what we’ve seen so far “sets up what I’ve been planning for Rocket all along.”

Digging in further, Gunn talks about the importance of Rocket’s cybernetic implants, which are very important to the character and the series. “Rocket’s loneliness and disaffection is at the center of the franchise for me,” he says.

One of the surprising reveals from Gunn’s tweets is that he was given a tremendous amount of freedom over how he worked within the Marvel universe, and was essentially allowed to do what he wanted, even with major lore elements like the Infinity Stones. “The ONLY thing Marvel asked me to include was a Thanos cameo and said maybe I could create an origin for the Infinity Stones,” Gunn says. What that origin looked like was, essentially, up to him.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Chapter 3 does not have a set date yet, and is not part of the recently reshuffled phase 4 of the Marvel cinematic universe. This means that we’ll likely be waiting until at least 2023 for a third movie.

Back in 2018, Gunn said that the movie would be “very different” from the first two. Gunn was fired from the project over offensive tweets he made between 2009 and 2011, only to be subsequently rehired in 2019 as it became clear that Gunn has changed since those tweets were made.

James Gunn is currently in post-production of his next project, the DC soft reboot The Suicide Squad.

Now Playing: Black Widow (2020) – Official Final Trailer

Cyberpunk 2077 Dev Shares Key Diversity Details About Its Workforce

As part of The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red’s latest earnings report, the company shared some insight into its workforce. Specifically, the company provided an update on how many people it employs, their gender, and more.

“CD Projekt embraces diversity in the belief that a workplace which respect diversity is the cornerstone of openness and trust. This enables us to fully unlock the creative potential of our employees, which, in turn, translates into increased depth, innovation, and appeal of our products,” the Polish developer said. “We also believe that diversity reinforces and enriches our organizational culture.”

Factors like gender are “irrelevant” at CDPR when it comes to filling executive and managerial positions, the company said.

In regards to specific numbers at the highest levels, the CPDR management board of directors was comprised solely of men in 2019 and 2018. The Supervisory board of directors, however, included one woman.

Overall, CDPR employed 1,044 people at the end of 2019, which is up 18 percent from 2018. 84 percent of people worked for the CD Projekt Red game development groups, and the remaining 16 percent worked for GOG.com. Of the 872 people who worked for CDPR at the end of 2019, 640 were men and 232 were women. The bulk of male and female developers were between the ages of 30 and 50. GOG, meanwhile, employed 130 men and 42 women at the end of 2019.

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Overall, women make up 26 percent of CDPR’s total staff, which is an increase from 2018. CDPR also pointed out that it’s much higher than the Polish game industry average of 15.5 percent. The number of female developers working for CDPR has grown every year since 2017, and the percentage compared to men has stayed around the same, fluctuating between 24 percent and 27 percent.

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In 2019, CDPR hired 195 men and 82 women, while GOG hired 38 men and 11 women. Most of the new hires, across gender and business division between CDPR and GOG, were under the age of 30.

CDPR also shared some location-based details, revealing that the majority of all developers (713 CDPR staff and 172 GOG staff) worked from the company’s office in Warsaw. The Krakow branch had 108 people, while the Wroclaw office had 38 people. All of these numbers are up year-over-year. CDPR also has offices in Los Angeles, Shanghai, Berlin, Tokyo, and Seoul, but these are non-development offices that handle local marketing and sales. Employee numbers for these satellite offices were not disclosed. In total, 66 percent of CDPR’s workforce consists of game developers.

In terms of the age of employees, CDPR said 51 percent of its workforce is between the ages of 30 and 39. The second-largest group is the bracket of people aged 20-29, which makes up 42 percent of its workforce. The overall average age for an employee at CDPR in 2019 was 31.

CDPR also announced that 21 percent of its employees are foreign nationals, which seems to demonstrate that people are very enthusiastic about joining the developer. That makes sense, given The Witcher is one of the biggest and most acclaimed franchises in gaming, and Cyberpunk 2077 also has a lot of hype behind it. At the end of 2019, CDPR employed people from 44 different foreign countries, including Ukraine (28 people), Russia (22 people), Spain (17 people), Canada (17 people), the United States (16 people), the United Kingdom (15 people), France (15 people), Italy (14 people), and Germany (14 people).

Additionally, the developer confirmed that it employs four people with disabilities, noting that it has undertaken “every effort” to adapt its workplace setup to suit their needs.

The full CDPR report includes many more fascinating details and datapoints regarding the company’s workforce and policies, including its dog-friendly stance. Go read the report here.

CDPR’s next game is Cyberpunk 2077, which is slated to launch in September for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Now Playing: Bringing Cyberpunk 2077 To Life

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Final Fantasy 7 Remake Team Explains How They Reworked The Game’s Iconic Soundtrack

There are few tunes in gaming more iconic than Final Fantasy VII‘s “The Prelude,” and the new Final Fantasy VII Remake, which speaks to the immense and difficult task of adapting the soundtrack for modern audiences. Episode 4 of the excellent Inside Final Fantasy VII Remake video series is all about the soundtrack, explaining how Nobuo Uematsu’s music has been reworked for the Remake.

Inside Final Fantasy VII Remake

When work on the remake began, producer Yoshinori Kitase put together a video of all the events in the game, set to the music from the original PlayStation release. It outlined his vision for the game, but co-director Motomu Toriyama decided that a modern approach was called for. The game thus has a dynamic soundtrack, where the music dynamically shifts.

Keiji Kawamori talks about how the music on the soundtrack needed to be repurposed for different scenarios, depending on the tensions and intent of each scene, and composer Mitsuto Suzuki talks about how interactive music is becoming more popular, and how it works in this new game. In some scenes, three versions of a track are playing in parallel, and the game crossfades between them depending on what the action calls for. “It’s like a really top-class DJ performance,” Suzuki says.

Aerith’s theme used multiple times in different ways throughout the game now, and its sound changes a bit depending on context. There was a lot of pressure in adding new music because the original soundtrack was so good, the teams say, and because there’s dialog in cutscenes to consider now.

Uematsu wrote a single track for the game, too–it’s called Hollow, and it’s the game’s theme. Beyond this, the composers did not want to copy his original score too much with their new arrangements.

The video also delves into some cool behind-the-scenes insights into how AI generates sound effects, and you can see Cloud running around with a bunch of code spilling out of him that dictates the sounds he makes. It’s a cool, unusual insight into the making of Final Fantasy VII Remake.

According to GameSpot’s 10/10 review of Final Fantasy VII Remake–only the 18th 10/10 in the site’s history–Tamoor Hussain wrote: “The wait for its release was a long one, but in gameplay, story, characters, and music, it delivers–the wait was worth it.” Final Fantasy VII Remake releases April 10, and is exclusive to PlayStation 4 for one year.

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The Best & Most Underrated Batman Movies | You Should Be Watching Ep 6

You Should Be Watching… is a weekly podcast where we recommend and discuss TV shows and movies, old and new, with new episodes premiering every Wednesday, you can listen to audio versions on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts.

7:28 Ryan got a new puppy

8:29 Ozark Season 3

18:09 Thoughts On Westworld Season 3

23:57 Marvel Movies Get New Release Dates

29:09 Thoughts on The Batman starring Robert Pattinson

33:12 The Best & Most Underrated Batman Movies

This week, Chastity recommends Pixar’s Onward (Disney+), Ryan recommends Ozark Season 3 (Netflix), and Tamoor recommends Westworld Season 3 (HBO). We discuss our thoughts on the change in tone and style for Westworld Season 3 and compare it to Season 2.

We talk about the news regarding delayed Marvel movies getting new release dates and shifting the rest of the MCU release schedule, Birds of Prey’s director Cathy Yan’s idea for a sequel featuring Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, and The Batman production paused due to the Coronavirus pandemic. We dive into our thoughts on how The Batman is shaping up and its cast, including Colin Farrell (Penguin), Andy Serkis (Alfred), Zoe Kravitz (Selina Kyle), Paul Dano (Riddler), Jeffrey Wright (James Gordon), and John Turturro (Falcone).

And finally, we decide on the best and most underrated Batman movies ever, from The Dark Knight to Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. Tell us what kind of TV and movie recommendations you’re looking for – whether you’re trying to find a good 90s horror movie or a new comedy or anything else. Submit your questions and recommendations requests to: [email protected]

New Dave Bautista Movie Skipping Theaters For Amazon Prime

With the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic keeping theaters closed around the country indefinitely, yet another movie is skipping the big screen altogether. Dave Bautista’s family-friendly comedy My Spy was originally scheduled to hit theaters last year in August, but was pushed back several times, eventually landing on April 10, 2020. Now, Variety reports that it will be going directly to Amazon Prime at an as-of-yet unannounced date.

The movie features Bautista as an undercover super-spy sent to surveil a family only to have his cover blown by a nine-year-old played by Chloe Coleman (Big Little Lies). After she discovers Bautista’s hidden camera, she convinces (read: blackmails) him to teach her spycraft via pinky-promise. The movie’s trailer promises some over-the-top action mixed with Kindergarten Cop-esque slapstick comedy. Bautista and Coleman are joined by Ken Jeong (Community) and Kristen Schall (Bob’s Burgers). It is directed by Peter Segal (Get Smart) and written by Jon and Erich Hoeber (Red).

My Spy joins a growing list of films expediting their digital releases or forgoing theaters altogether, like Artemis Fowl, which will be heading directly for Disney+.

There’s An Awesome, Free Cosmic Horror Movie Streaming On YouTube Now

Looking for a little horrifying distraction to transport you to another plane of terror during these self-isolating times? Luckily for you, The Void is now streaming for free on YouTube. And free stuff is especially welcome right now–how about some free games you can download right now, for example?

If you haven’t seen The Void, get ready for a wild ride involving a murderous sex cult, teen pregnancy, gory body horror, John Carpenter-esque practical effects, and trippy imagery that will send your mind hurtling through the far reaches of eldritch space. In other words, it’s good.

The Void was written and directed by Steven Kostanski and Jeremy Gillespie and partially funded on Indiegogo, where the duo raised $82,510 specifically for the movie’s creature effects. Those funds were put to good use, as the film has some of the goopiest, most sickening practical effects since The Thing. If you want to see human bodies transform into skin-flayed Lovecraftian horror shows rife with whipping tentacles and slimy, gaping maws, The Void is your ticket.

The 2016 movie, which was previously available in the US on Shudder, is now streaming on a channel called FilmSelect Trailer, and it seems official, though there’s zero context given in the video description. As far as plot, The Void follows a police officer after he takes an injured man to a local hospital where his estranged wife works as a nurse. After several strange events, the hospital is besieged by cultists, and s*** really pops off. We won’t say any more–by now you probably know whether this is a movie you’re going to enjoy.

And if you can’t get enough otherworldly terror, check out our full list of cosmic horror you can stream now, then move on to streaming monster movies.

(Via Reddit)

Now Playing: The Best Horror TV Shows Ever, Why You Should Watch Cosmic Horror | You Should Be Watching Ep 3

Custom Designs In Animal Crossing: New Horizons – QR Codes, Pro Designs, And More Explained

You can add your own creative touch to your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons by creating your own patterns and designs to use all over the island. With the Custom Designs application on the NookPhone, you can customize and decorate furniture, clothing, and even the ground with your very own designs.

There are even converters online that will turn your favourite images and photos into downloadable patterns. Any pattern you find online, or previously made, from Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons can be used.

How To Unlock Pro Designs

While designing patterns for in-game use is not new to the series, New Horizons raises the bar with the use of Pro Designs. These designs are for players who wish to get more in-depth with making their own clothing designs for specific garments in-game.

These Pro Designs can be made for tank tops, short-sleeve shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, hoodies, coats, a variety of dresses, robes, brimmed caps, knit caps, and brimmed hats.

In order to make your own Pro Designs, you will need to purchase the Pro Design upgrade in the Nook Stop machine. The Pro Design feature costs 800 Nook Miles and can be purchased after the Resident Services building has been constructed.

How to Unlock QR Codes

In order to download your own or other players’ designs from New Leaf and Happy Home Designer, you will need to download the Nintendo Switch Online App. This can be installed on either iOS or Android.

Once installed, you will need to log in to your Nintendo Account. After logging in, select the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Game-Specific Service, otherwise called “NookLink.” (You will need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to access NookLink.) To scan QR codes, simply select Designs, at which point the QR code scanner should open. Scan and save the designs to be transmitted to your game.

Connect your Nintendo Switch to the NookLink from the Animal Crossing: New Horizons title screen by pressing the Minus button to open up the settings menu. Select NookLink settings and then “Yes, please!”. Make sure you are connected to the internet, otherwise it won’t be able to connect.

After the game has been paired with the app, your designs can be found in the Custom Designs app underneath the “Pro Designs” tab. You will need to download your designs just one last time; press the Plus button on the Custom Designs screen and select a space for the design to fill. Press R when in the app to switch between Pro and Custom designs.

How To Use Custom Designs

In order to use these custom designs you’ve either made or downloaded, just open the Custom Designs app in your Nook Phone and select the design. At this point you will have four options: wear, display here, display on ground, and erase.

If you want to wear the custom design, just select wear and the design will be placed upon your person as a new clothing item. Pro designs will create the proper garment that it was designed for, while standard custom designs will just be a simple t-shirt.

The “display here” option will create either a mannequin wearing the clothing item or a painting. The painting can be placed on your walls inside your home, while the mannequin can be picked up and then, by selecting the new clothing item in your inventory, you can display it on the walls like any other apparel.

“Display on ground” is generally used by players designing their own paths, wallpaper, or flooring. When outside, the “display on ground” option will lay the design down in a single space, and you can remove the design by pressing Y when facing it. When inside your home, the option will change to “spread in room,” with the option to use the design as a wallpaper or flooring.

You can also use custom designs with the Island Designer app to make paths more easily and efficiently. See our Island Designer terraforming guide for more details.

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How To Use The Kiosk

Custom designs can be browsed in the game itself without the use of the NookLink application or QR codes. Once you have unlocked the Able Sisters clothing shop, you will have access to a kiosk that will allow you to upload your own designs and search through designs other players have uploaded. This requires a paid Nintendo Online subscription to use.

Once you’ve unlocked the Able Sisters shop, make sure to speak to Sable every day. Sable is the older sister working on the sewing machine in the left corner. At first she will ignore your advances, but over time she will start to be more friendly towards you, eventually sharing stories about the sisters with you. You will need to speak to Sable for 10 days straight in order to get the QR kiosk in the store.

After this point, Sable will start to give you custom designs of her own creation.

The kiosk allows you to share your creations to every player in the world. Players can find your designs via the Creator ID or Design ID search functions in the kiosk. This allows players to search for designs by friends or people online. These designs include Pro Designs.

Now Playing: 13 Essential Tips For Animal Crossing New Horizons

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Full House Cast Reunites For Quarantine Edition Of Theme Song

Full House was already revived on Netflix, but the cast of the classic sitcom still aren’t ready to say goodbye to their classic characters. In fact, since they’re all stuck at home during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the cast has reunited to record a new take on the show’s iconic opening credits, complete with the original show’s theme song.

John Stamos, who played Uncle Jesse on Full House and Fuller House, posted the video on Instagram, dubbing it Full Quarantine. “Unlike [Full House], this will all go away,” he wrote.

In the video, Stamos, Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, and Andrea Barber all reprise their roles, but from their own homes. They’re also all being pretty ridiculous. For instance, much like his ultra-tidy character Danny Tanner, Saget is shown cleaning his cleaning supplies. The video also features a special appearance from Full House creator Jeff Franklin.

Franklin’s inclusion is interesting, given that he was dismissed from Fuller House, which he created and served as showrunner on, ahead of its final season. At the time, it was reported that numerous complaints about his behavior in the show’s writers’ room had been received, including hiss possibly being “verbally abusive to staffers.”

While the final season of Fuller House has already finished filming, Netflix has yet to release the final nine episodes of the series. They are expected sometime this year.