What would a portable PlayStation look like if it were designed at the height of Sony’s Walkman era? Well, a bit like Sony’s beloved portable music player combined with a Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP, according to the imagination of artist and designer Dan Clarke. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=sony-playman-concept-art&captions=true"] Clarke, who runs a website displaying his passion projects called Arkotype, has recently added the ‘Sony Playman’ to his creations. “In an alternate reality (That I've made up) Sony released a handheld console in the early 2000s called the Playman which featured a clamshell design and used the proprietary MiniDisc™ media format,” he explained on Twitter. The imaginary device features a 3.8 inch LCD screen, Memory Stick storage, digital control inputs and a slot-loader for the MiniDisc. A ‘Playman MD Remote’ with an LCD display shows additional game information, which is a nice call back to the days of Sony’s remote headphones. (The ‘compatible titles only’ disclaimer is also a nice in-universe touch). The design feels authentically Sony, so much so that you could probably fool a few people by claiming it was a secret scrapped project from 2001. Afterall, a MiniDisc-based PlayStation Game Boy is effectively what the PSP, released in 2004, was.

Some early scribbles, as you can see I got a bit obsessed with designing hinges. pic.twitter.com/yzbfaPgx0w

— Dan Clarke (@danclarke) February 25, 2020

Clarke shared further sketches on his Twitter account, showing early ideas for the design, as well as designs for the actual MiniDiscs that games would ship on.

More Playman MiniDisc™ Games. pic.twitter.com/aTtA320e5c

— Dan Clarke (@danclarke) February 26, 2020

For more Sony nostalgia, why not take a look at the best PS2 games of all time as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beloved console. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/04/top-10-ps2-games-of-all-time"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter. 

If you own a Valve Index VR headset then you can now preview two locations from Half-Life: Alyx. If you don't own one then the good news is that they'll be back in stock next week.

Valve released the two Half-Life: Alyx preview environments through SteamVR Home so all you need to do is download them from there. If you don't own a Valve Index then you can try asking someone who does own one to host a SteamVR Home session for you.

The first location is an alleyway inside City 17, the metropolis that was first introduced to the series in Half-Life 2. There are buildings on either side of you so you're going to feel pretty boxed in. However, the main feature can be seen if you look up and to the distance, as you'll be able to spot the towering Citadel looming over you. As Half-Life: Alyx is a prequel, the Citadel is currently in construction, whereas when it's seen in Half-Life 2 it's finished.

The second preview environment is Russell's laboratory. Russel is a new character being introduced in Half-Life: Alyx, so not much is known about him except that he's a member of the resistance.

His lab looks pretty makeshift, it comprises a few computers, lots of fans, and a fridge. It appears to be set up in the corner of a rundown apartment where some of the wall is missing, and the decorations are some aging wallpaper and a couple of rugs thrown over floorboards.

"The rendering technology available in SteamVR's native environments is different than that in Half-Life: Alyx, and the interactivity is significantly lower than what the game itself provides," Valve notes. "So while these scenes do not have quite as much fidelity as they will in the actual game, we think they are a faithful enough translation to provide a fun VR preview of the game's setting."

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/04/half-life-alyx-13-minutes-of-valve-commentary-ign-first"]

Alongside the release of these two preview environments, Valve has announced that after weeks of being out of stock, its Index VR system will be available to buy again on March 9, 2020, at 10am PST / 5pm GMT.

Valve says it expects the stock to run out quickly, but any orders that go through after that supply has run out will be fulfilled when more stock comes in over the coming months. So if you don't get an Index system from this next batch then you'll get it eventually, but probably not in time for Half-Life: Alyx's launch on March 23. You can always try buying another VR headset if you want to play the game on launch day.

Our Valve Index review gave it an 8.5 and said that it's "the best way to experience VR right now." As to Half-Life: Alyx, if you can't stand the wait then check out 19 minutes of gameplay, and pray that we'll have more Half-Life games on the way after this one.

[poilib element="accentDivider"]

Chris Priestman is a freelancer who writes news for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

A new camera hack for 2018's God of War has revealed that the game's main villain, Baldur, gives you the middle finger when you can't see him.

Well-known game hacker Lance McDonald - who's previously revealed secrets in P.T., Bloodborne, and Dark Souls 3 - has now turned his sights on God of War. He's already revealed one amusing easter egg inside the game that hasn't been seen before.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/04/12/god-of-war-review"]

It appears just after the opening fight between Kratos and Baldur. There's a moment when Baldur seems to be defeated, lying limp on top of Kratos, just after the pair have wrestled in the snow. Kratos then pushes Baldur off of him and sends him plunging off a cliffside. It's when Baldur is falling from that great height that McDonald spotted the easter egg.

Using a camera hack, McDonald reveals that Baldur raises both his middle fingers towards Kratos, flipping him off as he plummets. Very fitting for his character.

Absolutely laughing at this, can't wait to see what else is hidden in the game off-camera pic.twitter.com/V3r8dV4gMw

— Lance McDonald (@manfightdragon) March 5, 2020

McDonald spent all of yesterday finishing off the work on his God of War camera hack that he started last year. Now that it's complete, he's able to move the game's camera around freely, passing through walls, stopping time, and even exploring cutscenes. He says it works by "entering special button presses on the map screen."

With this first discovery, McDonald says he "can't wait to see what else is hidden in the game off-camera" - so watch this space.

In our God of War review, we gave it 10, saying that "God of War’s outstanding characters, world, and combat come together to form an unforgettable adventure." With any luck, we'll see a follow-up to God of War made for the PlayStation 5.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=9-sequels-that-would-make-ps5-a-force-to-reckon-with&captions=true"]

[poilib element="accentDivider"]

Chris Priestman is a freelancer who writes news for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

"I hope everyone didn't hate it and now we have to slink away and spend another 13 years trying to figure out what our next shot at the whole thing is."

BEYOND! On this week's episode of IGN's weekly PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Brian Altano, Lucy O'Brien, and Max Scoville to offer our thoughts on the Final Fantasy VII Remake demo, along with some of your impressions of the remake's opening. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/04/final-fantasy-7-remake-demo-what-we-loved-what-we-didnt-beyond-episode-633"] Plus, we dive into the postponement of GDC, the state of the industry's worries about COVID-19, celebrate the PS2's 20th anniversary, and more. Additionally, we announce our next monthly game to play along with us to look back at the PS4's exclusives library. This month's game is Infamous: Second Son. We'll be playing and then discussing at the end of the month, so be sure to dive back in to the campaign and open world, as we'll be including your thoughts in our retrospective episode. Have a question, comment, Memory Card story, or That One Thing submission? Write in to beyond@ign.com! [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=big-ps4-ps5-games-coming-in-2020&captions=true"] Download or listen to the show on these platforms:

• Direct Download

• YouTube

• Apple Podcasts/iTunes

• Spotify

• Stitcher

• PlayerFM

• Podbay

• TuneIn

• Podbean

• Feedburner

Podcast Beyond! is live every Wednesday at 3 p.m. PT. For the latest on PS5, check out the new PS5 logo, how fans reacted to the PS5 logo, and check out images of the allegedly PS5 dev kit and controller, as well as a leak alleging the power of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Following the announcement that the city of Los Angeles is declaring a state of emergency over concerns about COVID-19, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has issued a new statement regarding E3 saying they are “monitoring and evaluating the situation daily.” The ESA says E3 is still planned to proceed in the full statement. “The health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, partners, and staff is our top priority. While the ESA continues to plan for a safe and successful E3 show June 9-11, 2020 — we are monitoring and evaluating the situation daily.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=all-the-big-games-coming-in-2020&captions=true"] “Our E3 team and partners continue to monitor COVID-19 via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We are actively assessing the latest information and will continue to develop measures to further reduce health risks at the show.” The new statement follows an update the ESA provided to IGN yesterday regarding E3 and how the organization is “moving ahead full speed with E3 2020 planning.” The city of San Francisco also issued a state of emergency for the city prior to the organizers announcing that the Game Developers Conference would be postponed. If the situation worsens, there’s a chance E3 may be affected over concerns of the novel coronavirus. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

The sequel to Hocus Pocus has reportedly locked down the director of Hairspray to helm the movie. Variety's sources say that Adam Shankman has signed on to direct. Variety also claims that the three original actresses have yet to sign up, but Sarah Jessica Parker previously said she, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy all want to do the film. Workaholics writer Jen D'Angelo is reportedly writing the Hocus Pocus sequel, which will stream on Disney+. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-movies-on-disney&captions=true"] Shankman is currently working with Disney on the sequel to Enchanted. His name has been attached to that movie since THR reported on his involvement in 2016. Shankman spoke to Variety as recently as 2019 about the movie, and said that a new draft of the script was on the way and the music was currently being written by Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken. He confirms that Amy Adams, James Marsden, Idina Menzel and Patrick Dempsey will all return for Disenchanted. Shankman last directed an episode of the Netflix series AJ and the Queen, but is best known as a choreographer on the Step Up movies, a host on So You Think You Can Dance and the director of 2007's Hairspray. He recently directed the Taraji P. Henson romantic comedy What Men Want. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/28/new-to-disney-plus-for-march-2020"] The Enchanted sequel was on IGN's list of 33 movies that were supposed to come out last decade. If you're looking for something to watch on Disney+ then check out everything that's coming to the service in March. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN who will be there for the midnight premiere of that Enchanted sequel.

While Call of Duty: Modern Warfare fans wait for official confirmation of the rumored Warzone battle royale mode, one more leak has given a new glimpse at what could be its map. As reported by Dexerto, Reddit user and known Call of Duty leaker Senescallo has posted what appears to be the full Warzone map. The map closely matches the leak in November 2019, also by Senescallo, that showed a similar map. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/14/new-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-battle-royale-details-reportedly-leaked-ign-news"] The map leak from November was edited by Redditor Kalinine, who marked up that map with potential locations that reference both multiplayer maps and Spec Ops maps. Kalinine estimates Warzone's map will be 8 km², and rumors suggest it could feature up to 200 players, have a "Gulag" feature that would see eliminated players battling it out 1v1 for a chance at a second life, a "Ping" system like Apex Legend's, and many vehicles. While there has been no official confirmation that Warzone exists, the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's second season has heavily hinted at its imminent arrival. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-call-of-duty-review&captions=true"] Not only did the opening cinematic show players jumping out of a plane onto a much larger map than usual, but there is a new mode on the main menu that only says "CLASSIFIED." While we may have to wait a bit longer to experience Modern Warfare's battle royale mode, players can jump into the store and purchase a Tomogunchi, a watch that houses a virtual pet that needs kills, wins, captures, and more to survive. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Earlier today, Google announced a brand new video game studio in Playa Vista, California created to develop games exclusively for Stadia. To head up the new studio Google tapped former God of War executive producer Shannon Studstill to lead the new endeavor. As for Santa Monica Studio, PlayStation has announced the new studio head to replace her. In a statement to IGN, Santa Monica Studio has announced Yumi Yang, a 19-year veteran at PlayStation “with an extensive background in product development and heavy involvement across many of Santa Monica Studio’s biggest games,” as the next studio head for its Santa Monica location. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-god-of-war-review&captions=true"] “Her project management prowess and meticulous oversight of 2018’s God of War helped the title fully realize its groundbreaking potential,” a spokesperson said in the statement. “After nearly two decades and countless substantial contributions to Santa Monica Studio’s rich legacy, Yumi has the unquestioned respect and trust of her peers. With her vast experience and deep understanding of the studio’s distinct creative DNA, she is perfectly positioned to lead Santa Monica Studio to a bold and exciting future.” Santa Monica Studio’s most recent game was 2018’s God of War which both Yang and Studstill worked on. God of War was a critical success and earned IGN’s 2018 Game of the Year award, along with several other accolades. The studio is currently developing an unannounced project. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/04/20/god-of-war-official-accolades-trailer"] Check below for Santa Monica Studio’s full statement, and check out IGN’s God of War review here or our God of War wiki for walkthroughs, tips, and more.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Shannon Studstill on her new role. Under her leadership, the studio she helped found over twenty years ago masterfully reinvented itself and its greatest franchise with 2018’s Game of the Year, God of War. In her role as VP of Product Development, Shannon helped smaller independent teams incubate within the studio, leading to groundbreaking works like Journey and The Unfinished Swan. All of PlayStation is better for and grateful of her many years of exemplary service and bold creative vision. Taking over as studio head is Yumi Yang, a 19-year PlayStation veteran with an extensive background in product development and heavy involvement across many of Santa Monica Studio’s biggest games. Her project management prowess and meticulous oversight of 2018’s God of War helped the title fully realize its groundbreaking potential. After nearly two decades and countless substantial contributions to Santa Monica Studio’s rich legacy, Yumi has the unquestioned respect and trust of her peers. With her vast experience and deep understanding of the studio’s distinct creative DNA, she is perfectly positioned to lead Santa Monica Studio to a bold and exciting future.

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.

Adam Driver came to the rescue when Ben Affleck needed last minute birthday presents for his son. Affleck was recently on Jimmy Kimmel Live and recounted a story about Driver being more prepared for his son's birthday than he was. Affleck said he was in the middle of shooting the The Last Duel with Adam Driver and demanded one day off for his son's birthday party. Before Affleck left the shoot, he told Driver that his son is a massive Star Wars fan and asked Driver to record a birthday video, which Driver agreed to do. The studio scheduled Affleck to shoot right up to the day, but the actor managed to get to the birthday party in time. Unfortunately for Affleck, he arrived home to find out that the presents he ordered for his son had yet to arrive. Affleck said his heart sank, especially since he's recently divorced and claims to get half the time he used to with his son. When all hope appeared lost, Affleck found out that Driver sent presents with a signed picture of Kylo Ren. Affleck joked to the crowd that he took those presents and played them off as his own, but told his son that his presents didn't make it. But, Affleck was able to show Driver's birthday video to his son and watch him joyfully unwrap Driver's presents. "It was an incredibly moving and powerful moment. Adam made me a hero to my kid and I will never ever ever forget that," Affleck said on Jimmy Kimmel Live. "...It meant the fu*king world to me." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/04/ben-affleck-confirms-mcdonalds-monopoly-movie-with-matt-damon-is-still-in-the-works-ign-news"] Affleck and Driver's movie, The Last Duel, will hit theaters on December 25 and is Ridley Scott's latest project. The film is based on a true story and takes place in the year 1386 when the last trial by combat was issued in France. Knight Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) accuses the squire Jacques Le Gris (Driver) of raping his wife, and he then gets approval from King Henry VI for a trial by combat after the matter was settled in Le Gris' favor. Scott will direct a screenplay by Affleck, Damon, Can You Ever Forgive Me? writer Nicole Holofcener and writer Eric Jager, according to IMDb. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=59-movies-to-geek-out-over-in-2020&captions=true"] Affleck recently said that he is still working on a movie about the guy who defrauded the McDonald's Monopoly game. His new movie, The Way Back, was praised in IGN's review, where the critic called it, "a gratifying sports movie that is made better than the average by some sadness, some realism, and Ben Affleck's performance." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN.