Monthly Archives: November 2015
Out This Week: Beyond: Two Souls on PS4
With so many new games and movies coming out, it can be hard to keep up. Lucky for you, IGN is here to help with a weekly round-up of the biggest releases each and every week. Check out the latest releases for this week, and be sure to come back next Monday for a new update.
Note: The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.
Say Goodbye to Need for Speed’s Rubber Banding
One of Need for Speed's biggest issues, AI rubber banding, is set to be nixed later this week.
"We’ve been reading all of your feedback on this, watching your videos and tuning in to your live streams," explained Community and Content Lead Ben Walke. "With all this feedback in mind we have made changes to the AI behavior which should improve your overall experience."
Rubber banding, or "the AI Catch Up system" as Walke calls it, causes NPC racers to keep pace with the player — often unfairly.
The lessening of that system comes by way of the "Icons" update. Other changes include daily challenges, a higher reputation cap, and tweaks to allow for easier car customization. Icons will even include a trio of new trophies and achievements to unlock on PlayStation and Xbox.
Fallout 4 Console Commands Not Coming to PS4, Xbox One
Fallout 4 mods may be coming to both PS4 and Xbox One, but that doesn't mean the console version will have the exact same functionality as its PC counterpart.
Specifically for console commands, which allow PC users direct control over the game and the ability to change it at will. Speaking with a fan on Twitter, Bethesda's Pete Hines confirmed that, while there will be a variety of mods available on Xbox One and PS4, console commands will not be one of them.
@fortech_mike nope. use of the console is not supported or recommended on PC. that kind of thing isn't permitted on consoles anyway
Gotham: Jessica Lucas on Tigress’ Loss of “Plaything” Barbara
With Gotham's fall half-season nearing a close, Theo Galavan's plan to cleanse Gotham - to destroy the city so he can rebuild it in his name - is most certainly escalating. Theo may be behind bars, but his "brothers" have already arrived - violent monks out to perform blood rituals. But where does this leave his sister Tabitha? When we last saw the two of them, Theo was severely scolding her for defying his orders. Even going so far as to threaten her life.
I spoke to actress Jessica Lucas about what lies ahead for Tabitha. We spoke about this week's big episode, "The Son of Gotham," where she'll throw down with Sean Pertwee's Alfred, and what the future holds for the Galavan sibling who may not be all that into city-destroying and hundred-year-old grudges. We also chatted about Barbara and what feelings, if any, Tabitha may have had for crazy Ms. Kean.
Tom Hardy Series Taboo Begins Filming, Casting News Released
The eight-episode drama series Taboo will begin filming this week to debut on BBC and FX.
Created by Steven Knight and directed by Kristoffer Nyholm, Taboo stars Tom Hardy as James Keziah Delaney, who, after spending a decade in Africa, returns home and discovers he's inherited his father's legacy.
Seeking revenge, Delaney works to bring to justice the people who have harmed him. In the process he comes up against the East India Company and toes the line between Britian and America during a time of high tension between them.
Alongside Hardy, Taboo stars Michael Kelly, Jonathan Pryce, Oona Chalpin, David Hayman, Jessie Buckley, Ashley Walters, Jefferson Hall, and others.
Create a 3D Printed Version of Your Spartan in Halo 5: Guardians
Just in time for the holidays, Microsoft and 343 Industries have partnered with Sandboxr and 3D Systems to offer fans the chance to 3D print their own Spartans in Halo 5: Guardians.
Each figure can be customized using one of 175 armor and helment variations unlocked in the core game, more than 30 color variations, five different positional stances with different fixed weapons, and up to 18 characters of text to be added to the base of the figure for added customization.
Figure purchases include an REQ supply pack and come in one of three sizes: Small (4-4.5 in) for $30, Medium (5-5.5 in) for $50, and Large (6-7 in) for $90. These 3D printed figures will be available for commission until December 6. Visit the Halo Waypoint to learn more.
Battlefront, Halo 5 Fail to Meet GameStop Sales Expectations
Several of this holiday's high-profile releases have underperformed for GameStop, resulting in a drop of 9.3 percent in net software sales for the retailer when compared to last year.
During today's earnings call (via GameSpot), GameStop CEO Paul Raines revealed to investors that both Halo 5: Guardians and Assassin's Creed Syndicate sold below expectations. While speculation may lead some to believe the rise in digital purchases has been the culprit -- especially in light of Halo 5's stellar performance last month -- Raines is confident digital sales weren't higher than what the company was originally anticipating.
Steam Machines Won’t Save PC Gaming
The first wave of Valve’s long awaited Steam Machines are now on sale. I’ve already explained what Steam Machines are, but who are they for? Looking at Valve's marketing materials, Steam Machines are “a new family of entertainment devices,” implying a grander vision than just gaming.
Steam Machines were born out the fear that PC gaming is dying because of the popularity of consoles and streaming media boxes like the Apple TV that are bring gaming to a wider audience. PC gaming is now seen as something for hobbyists and in order to change that perception, Valve has to take PC gaming mainstream with its Steam Machines. But there are quite a few challenges that mire Valve’s vision.
New Arkham Knight Challenge Maps Are on the Way
Seven new challenge maps, previously seen in past Batman Arkham games, are coming to Batman: Arkham Knight.
The Community Challenge Pack will arrive in January and features three predator maps, three combat maps, and an endless wave challenge. The full list of maps, including which game they were taken from, is as follows:
Predator
- Wayne Manor Main Hall (Batman: Arkham City)
- Batcave (Batman: Arkham City)
- Sanatorium, Medical Facility (Batman: Arkham Asylum)
Combat
- Iceberg Lounge (Batman: Arkham City)
- Crime Alley (Batman: Arkham Knight)
Walking Dead’s Midseason Finale is This Week’s TV Highlight
It's Thanksgiving time here in the States and while The Walking Dead may be stumbling more than succeeding these days, its upcoming sure-to-be bloody midseason finale is still a big enough event to warrant it being the TV highlight this week.
When we last saw Rick and the Alexandrians, a giant building had just collapsed through one of the town walls, allowing the massive herd of walkers to come flooding in. Will the show actually kill off some beloved characters during the chaos or will more nameless townsfolk get the axe instead? Will we get more fake-outs, or will deaths actually stick this time around? Also, maybe most importantly, does this mean the end for Alexandria? Will Rick and the rest have to hit the road again or can the town actually be saved? We'll have to find out in the midseason finale, "Start to Finish."