Monthly Archives: March 2018
#WarGames Is Reborn as an Interactive Hacker Thriller
John Badham's original WarGames was released in theaters in 1983, and was one of the earliest films to wring drama from the then-nascent world of computer hackers. The main character, a laid back computer genius played by Matthew Broderick, idly broke into a U.S. defense computer thinking it was a game, and proceeded to activate an artificial intelligence that was casually hell-bent on inciting World War III. It was a novel concept at the time and WarGames remains a taut (if technologically dated) thriller. There was a straight-to-video sequel called WarGames: The Dead Code released in 2008, but little is said of it.
The video studio Eko, working with MGM and with famed game designer Sam Barlow (Her Story, two Silent Hill games), have now cannily brought WarGames to the 21st century in what might be the most appropriate medium: the interactive web series. Available on Steam, Vudu, iOS, and on the web, the new #WarGames not only updates the hacking tech but also allows a viewer to essentially edit the series as they go, selecting the camera angles and central characters they prefer, all in real time. #WarGames was my very first interactive series, so it was novel TV experience.
Leaving Netflix in April: Batman, Ace Ventura, and More
As April arrives and spring settles in, bid a fond farewell to these titles on Netflix.
Yes, this will be your last chance to see Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns (along with Joel Schumacher's cartoony follow ups), The Shawshank Redemption, Apollo 13, both Ace Ventura movies, Caddyshack, Alaskan vampire romp 30 Days of Night, kid favorites The Emperor's New Clothes and Kung Fu Panda 3, and Christopher Nolan's malicious magician tale The Prestige.
3 New Images from Netflix’s New Sam Worthington Sci-Fi Film
Netflix is launching The Titan, a new sci-fi feature film on March 30, and IGN has a closer look at the new film.
In addition to the exclusive trailer reveal, which you can watch below, you can check out three exclusive new photos from The Titan here. The Titan follows Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Taylor Schilling (Orange Is the New Black) as a military family who choose to participate in a ground-breaking experiment to accelerate man’s genetic evolution in order to relocate humanity to Saturn's moon Titan. Things, as you would expect, do not go according to plan.
You can watch this IGN exclusive new trailer for the movie below:
The Titan hits Netflix on March 30. Directed by Lennart Ruff and written by Max Hurwitz (Hell on Wheels), the film also stars Nathalie Emmanuel, Tom Wilkinson, Agyness Deyn and Diego Boneta.
Netflix in April: Lost in Space, Mortal Kombat, and More
Netflix in April means the debut of the streaming site's big-budget revival of Lost in Space - starring Toby Stephens, Molly Parker, and Parker Posey.
Plus, you'll get original movies like 6 Balloons, Dude, Come Sunday, Kodachrome, and The Week Of (featuring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock).
If you're looking for some cult classic grittiness there's Scarface, Sin City, and Seven, while those looking for awfulness might want to check out Battlefield Earth. There's also a couple of vampire flicks: '80s classic The Lost Boys and Anne Rice's Queen of the Damned.
Don't forget Mortal Kombat, Bad Boys, Speed Racer, Deep Blue Sea, and The Iron Giant.
For a look at what's leaving Netflix in April, head here.
DC’s Shazam Official Logo Revealed
Warner Bros. and DC have unveiled the official logo for the upcoming Shazam! film.
The logo, which you can view below, features a bold and bright design with red letters, as well as Shazam's iconic lightning bolt. The DCEU movie is slated to hit theaters on April 5, 2019.
Shazam! logo.
Production on Shazam! began in early February. it will be an origin story of the titular DC superhero, who's portrayed by Zachary Levi. Meanwhile, Asher Angel plays Billy Batson who, thanks to an ancient wizard (Ron Cephas Jones), can transform into the adult hero by uttering the words "Shazam!"
Rare Continuing to Look Into Sea of Thieves Servers
Some Sea of Thieves users have experienced server issues with the game's launch, but Rare said its working to settle things down so everyone can enjoy smooth sailing.
Players have reported problems with missing items and gold when logging in. There's also a problem where no gold or reputation is awarded once a quest is completed.
At the moment, the only fix Rare has is "to exit to main menu and matchmake back into the game," and it warns this fix may take multiple tries. As for the missing rewards, those haven't gone adrift and will eventually show up again, but "can take a while to come through."
Black Bolt Shows the Strength of a Weak Hero
There is a moment in Marvel Comics’ Black Bolt series in which our hero, Black Bolt, King of the Inhumans, is standing outside of a horrible cosmic prison he has just escaped, weighing whether or not he should risk going back inside to help other inmates get out. A hero putting the safety and wellbeing of others ahead of his own is typical superhero fare, but what movingly sets this scene apart is that our hero isn’t acting stereotypically “heroic” at all. Black Bolt is scared, and his fear introduces a rare element into mainstream comics: a weak superhero.
“Black Bolt stands frozen,” the panel reads. “But not from indecision ...No, Black Bolt -- called by some the most powerful man on earth -- stands frozen with fear.” Christian Ward’s art is in perfect sync with Saladin Ahmed’s writing — showing a Black Bolt tempted, and nearly beaten, by the thought of fleeing to the safety of his family.
Dragon Ball FighterZ: Broly and Bardock DLC Coming Next Week
Competition Lets Devs Build Games Based on Iconic Franchises Like Back to the Future and Jaws
Unity has teamed up with Universal Pictures for the Universal GameDev Challenge, announced at GDC 2018 this week.
GamesIndustry.biz reports participants will be given access to five iconic Universal IPs, and they have to create a concept for a game based on just one.
The titles the indie devs will be able to use include Hollywood franchises like Back to the Future, Jaws, and Battlestar Galactica, as well as Turok, and DreamWorks' Voltron Legendary Defender.
Microsoft and Intel will be providing technical support and mentorship for the participants.
14 Games Announced for Switch in March 20th’s Nindies Showcase
Nintendo held its latest Nindies Showcase today, revealing a wide array of new indie games for Nintendo Switch owners to look forward to.
Here's a rundown of the titles that were highlighted today during Nintendo's 2018 Spring Nindies Showcase.
Be silent, agile, and clever when the critically acclaimed stealth action hit Mark of the Ninja Remastered from @klei sneaks onto #NintendoSwitch #eShop this fall! #Nindies pic.twitter.com/gJs1pyz4RE