Valve is making a few changes to how Steam games update in an effort to manage bandwidth loads during the coronavirus. With a lot of COVID-19 policies encouraging people to stay home and self-distance, platforms like Steam are breaching record numbers surpassing 20 million people. Valve is trying to balance that load by encouraging self-throttling and a tweak to auto-updating, as more people are home downloading games. "We know a lot of you (like us here at Valve) are stuck at home right now trying to work or attend school remotely," Valve said in a blog post. "Or maybe you're just playing a bunch of great games on Steam. Whatever the case may be, we know that with so many people at home trying to get things done at the same time, it can put a stress on your home’s internet bandwidth." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/25/how-coronavirus-is-impacting-the-games-industry"] People familiar with Steam know that games automatically download updates when they become available. However, a new change makes it so games that haven't been played within the last three days don't update immediately. Instead, Steam will schedule these updates for off-peak times during your local time. This change doesn't prevent people from manually updating their games using Steam's download manager and/or launching a game to force an immediate update. Valve is also suggesting other options to lessen the recent bandwidth strain such as self-throttling, scheduling updates, disabling auto-updates, and more. Further information on how to take advantage of these features is available here. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=games-to-play-while-stuck-at-home&captions=true"] A number of companies such as YouTube, Amazon, and Netflix have also made changes due to bandwidth stress brought on by COVID-19. Disney has stated they will follow similar policies in streaming lower quality options by default for Disney+ in Europe. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jeffrey Lerman is a Freelance News Writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @Snakester95.

Valve is making a few changes to how Steam games update in an effort to manage bandwidth loads during the coronavirus. With a lot of COVID-19 policies encouraging people to stay home and self-distance, platforms like Steam are breaching record numbers surpassing 20 million people. Valve is trying to balance that load by encouraging self-throttling and a tweak to auto-updating, as more people are home downloading games. "We know a lot of you (like us here at Valve) are stuck at home right now trying to work or attend school remotely," Valve said in a blog post. "Or maybe you're just playing a bunch of great games on Steam. Whatever the case may be, we know that with so many people at home trying to get things done at the same time, it can put a stress on your home’s internet bandwidth." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/25/how-coronavirus-is-impacting-the-games-industry"] People familiar with Steam know that games automatically download updates when they become available. However, a new change makes it so games that haven't been played within the last three days don't update immediately. Instead, Steam will schedule these updates for off-peak times during your local time. This change doesn't prevent people from manually updating their games using Steam's download manager and/or launching a game to force an immediate update. Valve is also suggesting other options to lessen the recent bandwidth strain such as self-throttling, scheduling updates, disabling auto-updates, and more. Further information on how to take advantage of these features is available here. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=games-to-play-while-stuck-at-home&captions=true"] A number of companies such as YouTube, Amazon, and Netflix have also made changes due to bandwidth stress brought on by COVID-19. Disney has stated they will follow similar policies in streaming lower quality options by default for Disney+ in Europe. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jeffrey Lerman is a Freelance News Writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @Snakester95.

Fast and Furious fans will soon be able to build a new LEGO set of Dominic Toretto's iconic 1970 Dodge Charger. The newly revealed LEGO kit contains just over 1000 pieces, and shipments will begin in late April. The completed kit will measure 15" long, 6" wide, and 4" high. Additionally, the set includes multiple interactive elements, such as real moving pistons and suspension, a steering system, and an air blower. You can also display the car mid-wheelie thanks to a built-in stand. The set mostly uses smooth, black LEGO pieces to recreate Dom's iconic ride. Check out some pictures of the set below: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=fast-and-furious-lego-doms-dodge-charger&captions=true"] Fast and Furious fans will have to wait a bit longer for the next entry in the franchise. Originally supposed to release this May, Fast 9 will now open in theaters in April 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Until then, you can watch the reveal of a major character's return in Fast 9's debut trailer. Also, the franchise is already looking past Fast 9, and you can read if Fast 10 could be split into two separate movies. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/31/f9-fast-furious-9-official-trailer-1"] For more on LEGO, check out the recently-revealed LEGO Super Mario collaboration, which is showcasing a new type of LEGO play style. Story originally reported by The Verge. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Logan Plant is a news writer for IGN, and the Production Assistant for Nintendo Voice Chat, IGN's weekly Nintendo show. You can find him on Twitter at @LoganJPlant.

Fast and Furious fans will soon be able to build a new LEGO set of Dominic Toretto's iconic 1970 Dodge Charger. The newly revealed LEGO kit contains just over 1000 pieces, and shipments will begin in late April. The completed kit will measure 15" long, 6" wide, and 4" high. Additionally, the set includes multiple interactive elements, such as real moving pistons and suspension, a steering system, and an air blower. You can also display the car mid-wheelie thanks to a built-in stand. The set mostly uses smooth, black LEGO pieces to recreate Dom's iconic ride. Check out some pictures of the set below: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=fast-and-furious-lego-doms-dodge-charger&captions=true"] Fast and Furious fans will have to wait a bit longer for the next entry in the franchise. Originally supposed to release this May, Fast 9 will now open in theaters in April 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Until then, you can watch the reveal of a major character's return in Fast 9's debut trailer. Also, the franchise is already looking past Fast 9, and you can read if Fast 10 could be split into two separate movies. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/31/f9-fast-furious-9-official-trailer-1"] For more on LEGO, check out the recently-revealed LEGO Super Mario collaboration, which is showcasing a new type of LEGO play style. Story originally reported by The Verge. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Logan Plant is a news writer for IGN, and the Production Assistant for Nintendo Voice Chat, IGN's weekly Nintendo show. You can find him on Twitter at @LoganJPlant.

In an email sent to employees this week, Disney announced that top company executives will take pay cuts during the COVID-19 crisis, with exec chairman Bob Iger foregoing his salary entirely. Confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, the pay cuts come only a few days after Disney announced that it would be closing its theme parks indefinitely, but would continue to pay cast members through April 18. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=disney-plus-spotlight-april-2020&captions=true"][poilib element="accentDivider"] Among executives taking pay cuts is newly named CEO Bob Chapek, who will be taking a 50% pay cut. Further, "effective April 5, all VPs will have their salaries reduced by 20 percent, SVPs by 25 percent and EVPs and above by 30 percent," according to the email obtained by THR. "Your dedication and resilience during this difficult time are truly inspiring and it gives me renewed confidence that we will come through this crisis even stronger than before, we have so many times in our company's history," said Chapek's email to employees. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/12/disneyland-california-adventure-closing-due-to-coronavirus-concerns"] It's currently unclear how much pay Iger and Chapek will be giving up, as both executives have complicated contracts. In 2019, Iger made just over $47 million in his role as chairman and CEO. THR reports that Chapek has a base salary of $2.5 million, with $7.5 and $15 million incentives in the coming months and years. While the powerful conglomerate may have shut down many of its operations for the time being, it is still looking out for its fans. A few weeks ago Disney announced that Frozen 2 would be coming to Disney+ three months early. Additionally, Onward will be released on Disney+ on April 3, a little bit ahead of schedule. In the meantime, be sure to check out everything coming to Disney+ in the month of April.

In an email sent to employees this week, Disney announced that top company executives will take pay cuts during the COVID-19 crisis, with exec chairman Bob Iger foregoing his salary entirely. Confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, the pay cuts come only a few days after Disney announced that it would be closing its theme parks indefinitely, but would continue to pay cast members through April 18. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=disney-plus-spotlight-april-2020&captions=true"][poilib element="accentDivider"] Among executives taking pay cuts is newly named CEO Bob Chapek, who will be taking a 50% pay cut. Further, "effective April 5, all VPs will have their salaries reduced by 20 percent, SVPs by 25 percent and EVPs and above by 30 percent," according to the email obtained by THR. "Your dedication and resilience during this difficult time are truly inspiring and it gives me renewed confidence that we will come through this crisis even stronger than before, we have so many times in our company's history," said Chapek's email to employees. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/12/disneyland-california-adventure-closing-due-to-coronavirus-concerns"] It's currently unclear how much pay Iger and Chapek will be giving up, as both executives have complicated contracts. In 2019, Iger made just over $47 million in his role as chairman and CEO. THR reports that Chapek has a base salary of $2.5 million, with $7.5 and $15 million incentives in the coming months and years. While the powerful conglomerate may have shut down many of its operations for the time being, it is still looking out for its fans. A few weeks ago Disney announced that Frozen 2 would be coming to Disney+ three months early. Additionally, Onward will be released on Disney+ on April 3, a little bit ahead of schedule. In the meantime, be sure to check out everything coming to Disney+ in the month of April.

Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord is finally available on PC via Steam Early Access. But players hoping to check out TaleWorlds Entertainment’s siege-action strategy RPG on consoles will have to wait. “Sorry, but we have been saying in dev blogs and interviews for years that [console versions] will come further down the road, as PCs are our primary platform,” developer TaleWorlds Entertainment explained in a Tweet response to one user who asked whether a console version of the Mount and Blade 2 early access was coming.

Sorry, but we have been saying in dev blogs and interviews for years that consoles will come further down the road, as PCs are our primary platform.

— Mount & Blade (@Mount_and_Blade) March 30, 2020

Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord is a prequel to 2010’s Mount and Blade: Warband. Set in the waning days of the Calradic Empire, Players control warriors from European-inspired tribes as they engage in siege warfare with rival factions. Players can utilize strategy elements and control large armies and siege weapons, but can also engage in 1-on-1 combat, which puts players in the heart of the action during warfare. Mount and Blade 2 has been in development since 2012, but TaleWorlds delivered weekly developer blog updates since 2017 and rarely mentioned anything about a console version of Bannerlord. It should also be noted that it took six years for Mount and Blade: Warband to be ported from PC to the PS4 and Xbox One. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/30/mount-blade-ii-bannerlord-first-19-minutes-of-gameplay"] IGN will continue to cover Mount and Blade 2, so check back for more updates on Bannerlord soon. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord is finally available on PC via Steam Early Access. But players hoping to check out TaleWorlds Entertainment’s siege-action strategy RPG on consoles will have to wait. “Sorry, but we have been saying in dev blogs and interviews for years that [console versions] will come further down the road, as PCs are our primary platform,” developer TaleWorlds Entertainment explained in a Tweet response to one user who asked whether a console version of the Mount and Blade 2 early access was coming.

Sorry, but we have been saying in dev blogs and interviews for years that consoles will come further down the road, as PCs are our primary platform.

— Mount & Blade (@Mount_and_Blade) March 30, 2020

Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord is a prequel to 2010’s Mount and Blade: Warband. Set in the waning days of the Calradic Empire, Players control warriors from European-inspired tribes as they engage in siege warfare with rival factions. Players can utilize strategy elements and control large armies and siege weapons, but can also engage in 1-on-1 combat, which puts players in the heart of the action during warfare. Mount and Blade 2 has been in development since 2012, but TaleWorlds delivered weekly developer blog updates since 2017 and rarely mentioned anything about a console version of Bannerlord. It should also be noted that it took six years for Mount and Blade: Warband to be ported from PC to the PS4 and Xbox One. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/30/mount-blade-ii-bannerlord-first-19-minutes-of-gameplay"] IGN will continue to cover Mount and Blade 2, so check back for more updates on Bannerlord soon. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Riot Games has announced that it is running a closed beta for Valorant, the upcoming PvP FPS from the League of Legends studio. Valorant’s closed beta will operate in Europe, Canada, the United States, Russia, and Turkey, and may roll out into further territories depending on current developments based on the COVID-19 pandemic. It will begin on April 7. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/19/valorant-sova-reveal-trailer"] Riot is running Valorant’s closed beta in collaboration with Twitch, and you’ll need both a Riot account and Twitch account to take part. You’ll need to link your accounts, and when the closed beta goes live you’ll need to watch Valorant streams highlighted by Twitch. Watching these provides “the opportunity to be entitled for Closed Beta access” according to a press release from Riot. It appears that watching the streams is not a guarantee of access to the beta. So far there is no word on when or if the beta will transition from a closed to an open format, but many games open up their betas in the weeks or months leading up to full release. Riot intends to launch Valorant this summer, so there is not too long to wait. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/05/valorant-phoenix-agent-reveal"] If you’ve not been keeping up with Valorant, it’s a 5v5 character-based shooter from the creators of League of Legends. Set in a new universe based on Earth, it features Counter-Strike style gun play with hero abilities similar to the likes of Overwatch. It will be free-to-play when it launches, and will feature ten different Agents to play as to begin with. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

Riot Games has announced that it is running a closed beta for Valorant, the upcoming PvP FPS from the League of Legends studio. Valorant’s closed beta will operate in Europe, Canada, the United States, Russia, and Turkey, and may roll out into further territories depending on current developments based on the COVID-19 pandemic. It will begin on April 7. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/19/valorant-sova-reveal-trailer"] Riot is running Valorant’s closed beta in collaboration with Twitch, and you’ll need both a Riot account and Twitch account to take part. You’ll need to link your accounts, and when the closed beta goes live you’ll need to watch Valorant streams highlighted by Twitch. Watching these provides “the opportunity to be entitled for Closed Beta access” according to a press release from Riot. It appears that watching the streams is not a guarantee of access to the beta. So far there is no word on when or if the beta will transition from a closed to an open format, but many games open up their betas in the weeks or months leading up to full release. Riot intends to launch Valorant this summer, so there is not too long to wait. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/05/valorant-phoenix-agent-reveal"] If you’ve not been keeping up with Valorant, it’s a 5v5 character-based shooter from the creators of League of Legends. Set in a new universe based on Earth, it features Counter-Strike style gun play with hero abilities similar to the likes of Overwatch. It will be free-to-play when it launches, and will feature ten different Agents to play as to begin with. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter.