Monthly Archives: November 2015
Fallout 4 Ships 12 Million Copies at Launch
Bethesda has announced 12 million copies of Fallout 4 were shipped at launch.
Though this number doesn't represent the number actually purchased by consumers - rather referring to how many were sent to stores - it's still an impressive number.
The publisher also confirmed revenue of $750 million had been pulled in, while the game enjoyed over 470,000 concurrent players on Steam, shattering the previous record. Twitch also added it was the most viewed game launch of 2015.
If you haven't quite got your Fallout 4 fix for the day, IGN has nine must-watch videos for you. If you haven't checked out the game yet, IGN's "glowing" review of Fallout 4 might persuade you to.
How Sly Got the Fights Right in Rocky
If you've been watching the El Rey Network, you'll know that Robert Rodriguez has been hosting a series of in-depth interview with some of the greatest filmmakers in the world.
As part of his 'Director's Chair' series, the Grindhouse helmer has spoken to the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Michael Mann, John Carpenter, Guillermo Del Toro, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Zemeckis, George Miller and more.
This Sunday, (November 15) his very special guest is Sylvester Stallone, who discusses the ups and downs of his career and talks candidly about everything from Rocky and Paradise Alley to Rambo and The Expendables.
And we've got our hands on an exclusive deleted scene from the interview, in which Sly explains how he studied old boxing films to figure out what not to do in the fights in Rocky...
Is It Time for the All-New, All-Different DC Universe?
Marvel and DC's comics have followed a surprisingly similar trajectory in 2015. Both companies delivered big crossover events predicated on nostalgia and featuring an all-powerful villain creating a piecemeal world that brings numerous old stories and characters back into play. Both of those events paved the way for a massive, company-wide relaunch aimed at attracting new readers and creating an easy jumping-on point. The one fundamental difference is in how these relaunches have been received. Where the All-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch was a massive sales success in its first month, the reception to the DC You relaunch has been comparatively tepid. Clearly Marvel's approach is resonating with readers in a way DC's isn't. Judging from DC's waning sales, something will have to be done in the months ahead to rebuild excitement.
How Long Could You Actually Survive in Fallout?
Some scientists have been trying to figure out how long humans would actually be able to survive in the post apocalyptic world of Fallout.
In its latest "Reactions" video, the American Chemical Society ran down the biggest factors you need to consider when dealing with a nuclear detonation.
"Time, distance, and shielding are the three main factors that affect your chances of surviving ionizing radiation. You want to be exposed for a short a time as possible, be as far away as you can, and have the most shielding. What does that sound like? A Fallout shelter!"
However, if you don't have access to a high-tech vault, scientist Raychelle Burks has a few tips for you. "Scientists are developing nanomaterials that can resist radiation, high heat, and high pressure." Other options include walls of carbon nanotubes, and some NASA-designed radiation shielding.
Bungie Teases Refer-a-Friend Rewards for Destiny Players
Bungie has revealed that it will be offering rewards to players who refer their friends to its sci-fi shooter, Destiny.
In its latest weekly update, community manager Cozmo writes: "After this update is deployed, some of the more tech savvy among you will be able to dig up some details for a new initiative we have planned to arrive just in time for the holiday season. We’re planning something new to recognize and reward the Sherpas among you. We are calling it Refer-a-Friend."
"Maybe you have a friend who will be getting Destiny as a gift this season. Perhaps their gift-giver will even be picking it up for them at a holiday sale coming to a store near you. If you intend to show them the way to the mountaintop, we’ll have new rewards aimed at recognizing your service to the Kinderguardian."
Are Games a Graveyard for Hollywood’s Has-Beens?
Last year, we got Kevin Spacey delivering a stellar performance in Call of Duty: Advance Warfare. This year, it's Jeff Goldblum hamming it up as a washed-up magician hunting zombies in Black Ops 3. Now we love the Goldblum, but should gaming's biggest names draw bigger stars than those who heyday was well over a decade ago?
Elsewhere, Alex, Krupa and Chris talk about this week's biggest releases, Fallout 4 and Rise of the Tomb Raider, and share your suggestions for re-branding the Rum and the Bum. Seriously, some of you lot have got filthy minds.
So let's separate the buff from the guff and get this wagon rolling!
IGN UK Podcast #305: Are Games a Graveyard for Hollywood's Has-Beens?
UK Deals: PS4 with Call of Duty Black Ops III + Fallout 4
PS4 500GB console with Fallout 4 and Call of Duty Black Ops III for £289.99 at Argos. You will also get a free £10 Argos gift card for spending over £100 with your purchase.
Microsoft Can Tell Your Emotions From a Single Image
Microsoft has designed a webpage that tries to guess your emotions.
The emotion recognition tool aims to identify feelings based on an image. The feelings the tool recognises at the moment are anger, contempt, disgust, fear, happiness, neutral, sadness, surprise, and possibly whether you’re John Connor and need terminating.
In the interests of science, here’s what happens when you put someone’s face into the tool.
US Senate Passes Law to Legalize Space Mining
Congress passed H.R. 2262, a celestial “Finders Keepers” law, that grants U.S. citizens to legally claim natural resources mined in space.
“Many years from now, we will view this pivotal moment in time as a major step toward humanity becoming a multi-planetary species,” Eric Anderson, co-founder of asteroid mining company Planetary Resources, said in a press release. “This legislation establishes the same supportive framework that created the great economies of history, and it will foster the sustained development of space.”
Force Awakens TV Spot Features New Rey, Han Solo Moment
ABC's previously teased TV spot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens was revealed during Thursday's episode of How To Get Away With Murder, providing tons of new footage of J.J. Abrams' upcoming film, including a key scene between Rey and Han Solo. See it below.
The teaser features a new scene between Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), as well as new looks at the Resistance and First Order's fleets, a tease at the people assembled at General Leia's (Carrie Fisher) command station -- including what looks like Admiral Ackbar -- and a deeper look at how Rey and Finn (John Boyega) first meet.