Monthly Archives: March 2016
Unlocked: Phil Spencer Interview and Xbox Showcase Reactions
DOWNLOAD UNLOCKED 235 (Audio version)
On this week's Xbox show, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer joins us for a quick interview about the future of Xbox (hint: you probably won't lose access to your Xbox One games on the next-gen Xbox console years from now). Plus: our reactions to the Xbox Showcase event from last week – and to Quantum Break in particular, analyzing the Mass Effect Andromeda delay, how cool a World War I-set Battlefield 5 could be, and we tell Capcom how we feel about their creative output so far in this console generation.
‘Avengers Standoff’ Teases Big Changes for Captain America
Marvel's latest Avengers crossover is in full swing now, and it's hinting at big things to come for Steve Rogers.
Warning: this article contains spoilers for Avengers Standoff: Welcome to Pleasant Hill#1 Avengers Standoff: Assault on Pleasant Hill Alpha #1!
Last month, the prologue issue Avengers Standoff: Welcome to Pleasant Hill #1 introduced the titular town and its dark secret - the fact that it's actually a prison run by S.H.I.E.L.D. that forcibly rehabilitates supervillains by brainwashing them into becoming harmless residents of Pleasant Hill.
Hot Toys Introduces New Cosbaby Figures
The cast of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has received a Hot Toys' Cosbaby makeover, debuting as the latest in the company's adorable line of toys.
Included in Hot Toys' Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Cosbaby series are Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Battle-Damaged Armored Batman, Knightmare Batman, and Aquaman. Each Cosbaby figure stands just under four inches tall with a rotatable head.
Additionally, Hot Toys is expanding its Armored Batman line of Cosbaby toys to include three special color variants—black chrome, chrome, and matte black. The chrome versions will come with light-up eyes, and all three will only be available in "select markets."
Pentagon Hosts Challenge to Hack Government Websites
In an effort to improve the security of several key defense networks, the Pentagon is challenging a number of hackers to attempt to compromise some U.S. Department of Defense websites.
To do so, the Pentagon will select a number of vetted hackers and place them in front of predetermined public-facing systems. No sensitive information will be subjected to hacking attempts in this round, officials say.
"The goal is not to comprise any aspect of our critical systems, but to still challenge our cybersecurity in a new and innovative way," Defense Secretary Ash Carter said of the project (via Reuters). "I am confident that this innovative initiative will strengthen our digital defenses and ultimately enhance our national security."
Ian McShane Cast as American Gods’ Mr. Wednesday
Deadwood star Ian McShane will play Mr. Wednesday in the upcoming series based on Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel American Gods, Starz has announced.
According the network's character description, Mr. Wednesday is a con man who's both "crafty and endlessly charismatic," and filled with "perverse wisdom, curious magic, and grand plans."
McShane in Deadwood.
Creator and executive producer Neil Gaiman expressed his excitement in having McShane on board, saying in a statement: "When you write a beloved character (beloved with, or despite, or because of all his faults) like Mr. Wednesday, you get to watch the internet trying to cast the role. I've seen a hundred names suggested, but few make me grin like Ian McShane does."
Zack Snyder Wants to Make George Washington Film in Style of 300
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice director Zack Snyder wants to honor George Washington on film, in the style of 300.
Snyder mentioned the idea as part of a Bloomberg profile, comparing the painterly style of 300 to a portrait in his office of Washington crossing the Delaware.
“We were talking about it,” Snyder said. “The first thing we asked was, well, how are we going to make it look? I pointed at this painting. It looks like 300. It’s not that hard.”
The profile doesn't mention which image he's referring to, but the description sounds like Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze's famous oil paining of the scene. Of course, this is just an idea that bookends a much longer profile about his commercial comic book adaptation projects, so it may never actually happen.
Marvel Gaming Introduces Women of Power Event
Marvel Games announced its Women of Power initiative today, which runs alongside Marvel Publishing's celebration of female superheroes.
Women of Power will bring "new characters and content" to its portfolio of mobile, handheld, console, and PC games. Peter Phillips, the executive vice president and general manager of digital distribution at Marvel Entertainment, said the event will bring together "some of the most popular heroes and villains" in a "unique way for the first time."
Marvel's Women of Power event, via Marvel
Beyond: E3 2016 is Already Insane
Well this episode got weird.
This week, Max "Whole Hog" Scoville, Marty "Black Forest" Sliva, Andrew "Pork Cracklins" Goldfarb, Brian "Prosciutto" Altano, and Alanah "Banjo-Kazooie Ham" Pearce talk about all sorts of things. Dark Souls 3's opening hours are rad, the idea of Battlefield 5 being set in World War I is dope, and E3 is shaping up to be a doozy.
Sorry about the ham.
Beyond!
Wolf Link Costume Coming to Super Mario Maker
Wolf Link and Midna are coming to Super Mario Maker—at least, in Japan.
An homage to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, Nintendo's official costume trailer shows Wolf Link and Midna jumping through a bunch of fiery obstacles. It's likely Nintendo's Wolf Link amiibo will unlock the Super Mario Maker costume.
We've reached out to Nintendo to confirm its western release.
When Link enters the Twilight realm in Twilight Princess, he's transformed into a wolf and captured. Midna, the mysterious imp-like creature, helps free Link, and together, they head off to save Hyrule from darkness.
Naomi’s Petting Every Animal in Far Cry Primal Live!
On today's stream, Naomi has been having a blast playing the new Far Cry so she thought she would share some of that joy with all of you.
We're going to be livestreaming every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 1PM - 3PM PT. We'll focus on new releases and DLC drops, but let us know in the comments what games you'd like to see!
We'll be answering questions live during the stream, so tweet @ign with #ignplayslive
You can see streams via: