The Cooking Mama series creator, Office Create, has called Cooking Mama: Cookstar's release on Switch "unauthorized", and said it has not licensed a PS4 version of the game currently listed for release. The company is now evaluating legal action against Cookstar publisher Planet Entertainment. The statement today helps clear up a number of factors in the confusing story of Cooking Mama: Cookstar's release. In a public statement today, Office Create explains that it licensed Cooking Mama to Planet Entertainment in August 2018. However, ahead of release, the license holder "rejected a wide range of deficiencies affecting the overall feel, quality and content of the game". According to Office Create, Planet was contractually obligated to then "correct the identified deficiencies and resubmit the corrected game for Office Create’s approval". However, Planet Entertainment went onto release the game through Nintendo eShop - which was shortly after pulled from release, and remains unavailable to buy digitally - and physical copies of the game were released to retailers. According to the license holder, this was "an unauthorized release in breach of Planet’s contract with Office Create." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/09/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-cooking-mama-nvc-503"] Several retailers in the US have now removed listings for the boxed game but, as of time of writing, Cooking Mama: Cookstar is available from major European retailers. IGN has now reviewed one of those physical copies, awarding the game a 3/10. Office Create says it subsequently terminated Planet Entertainment's license for the game, and is "evaluating all legal action against Planet to protect our customers, intellectual property rights and the Cooking Mama series." It seems likely that the game will not receive another digital release, at the very least while the dispute is ongoing. This statement confirms several elements of an anonymous interview given to ScreenRant, which also claims that Office Create used its contacts at Nintendo to have the game pulled from sale. A separate anonymous source, speaking to IGN, also stated that there had been disagreements between Planet and Office Create when the license holder visited to offices of developer 1st Playable Productions last year. Office Create's statement does not mention 1st Playable's involvement at any point. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/14/cooking-mama-cookstar-review"] Office Create's statement also brings up the mooted PS4 version of the game, effectively saying it is unaware of any version of the game outside of Nintendo Switch: "Office Create has not licensed Planet (or any other entity) to create any Cooking Mama games for PS4™. Office Create itself has not been involved in the development of any PS4™ Cooking Mama game." At time of writing, Cookstar's European distributor, Koch Media still lists a PS4 version of the game, with a release date of May 12 and a price of €39.99. IGN spoke to a representative Koch Media last week, who was unable to confirm whether the PS4 version was still coming, despite that listing. It's another twist in an already bizarre story, which previously forced 1st Playable to deny the game was secretly mining cryptocurrency while you played. IGN reached out to Office Create for comment on the Screenrant article last week, but has received no response. Planet Entertainment hasn't replied to IGN requests for comment for several weeks. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News, and can't believe how much he's thought about Cooking Mama in recent weeks. Follow him on Twitter.

Update: Official PlayStation Magazine UK has released a statement on its social media account regarding its recent story on Ghost of Tsushima. OPM confirmed that there are inaccuracies in both its March 2020 cover story for Ghost of Tsushima, as well as the recent May 2020 article which provided the basis of the original story below. While neither OPM nor Sony specified what details are inaccurate, they are likely details regarding the Waypoint system and ally system detailed in the original report. Original story follows. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Ghost of Tsushima will eschew traditional video game waypoints in favor of having players navigate the world using landmarks and other physical features, according to a new preview for Sucker Punch’s upcoming samurai-ninja action game. With only a few months until Ghost of Tsushima’s launch (still slated for PS4 on June 26), Official PlayStation Magazine UK has a new preview for the action-adventure title, including new details about how travel and NPCs work in the game. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=2020-platform-exclusives&captions=true"] When it comes to making your way through the detailed sandbox of Tsushima, players will have to rely on physical landmarks and understanding of the world to explore. There are no waypoints in the game highlighting where the next mission is, or where a side quest might be located. Compare this with Sucker Punch’s Infamous series which used different waypoints to highlight various activities players can engage with. So if you’re looking for a destination, you’ll hopefully have a good sense of in-game direction. Other highlights from the preview include how the eponymous Ghost, real name Jin Sakai, was trained as a samurai but adopts ninja-like skills to take on the Mongol invaders. That means Sakai can use either his samurai abilities or ninja abilities to take on threats. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/05/ghost-of-tsushima-story-trailer"] The players’ combat choice can even impact interactions with other characters in Ghost of Tsushima. Shimura, Sakai’s uncle and also a samurai, doesn’t approve of the ninja-skills which could negatively impact your relationship with the character if you rely on it too much. Another character, Makoto, is an expert archer and could be a powerful ally to Sakai. However, if she disagrees with too many of your actions she could end up turning on you. This suggests there are limited branching paths where the story changes depending on your actions. One cool detail for cinephiles is how the soundtrack features music by Japanese film composer Shigeru Umebayashi, who worked on movies like House of Flying Daggers and The Grandmaster. Check back with IGN for more news about Ghost of Tsushima, or check out our PS5 page for all the latest details on Sony’s next-gen console. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

The Rekindle School, an independent theater and arts school in Seattle, Washington, reported that one of its faculty, Rick May, has died from complications with COVID-19. May, a stage actor, was also the voice of popular video game characters like Peppy Hare in Star Fox 64 and Soldier in Team Fortress 2. May was 79. Peppy Hare might not be one of gaming's most famous characters, but May’s line in 1997's Star Fox 64 where he played Fox McCloud’s mentor is one of the most iconic lines in gaming history - so much so that even Google got in on the beloved meme. Go ahead, Google "Do a barrel roll" and see what happens. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2011/11/03/google-does-a-barrel-roll"] May was primarily a theater actor. He served as artistic director of Renton Civic Theatre and Civic Light Opera in Washington state, where he also worked as a freelance actor and director. Throughout his career, he portrayed famous characters such as Tevye in Fiddler On the Roof, Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. May also played historic figures like Ben Franklin, King Henry II, Julius Caesar, and Theodore Roosevelt in a one-man play Bully! Whether it was Shakespearean leaders or down-on-their-luck salesmen, May seemed most comfortable exploring the range of masculine roles. In 1997, May began voice acting, and he brought the range he showcased on stage to video games. Although he’s only credited with six video game roles, his most famous characters are instantly recognizable: Peppy Hare and Andross in Star Fox 64, and Soldier in Team Fortress 2 (and its famous animated shorts) – a broad showcase for May's talents as an actor. Following his appearance in Star Fox 64, May appeared in the games Pajama Sam 2 as Wingnut, Freddi Fish 5 as Dadfish, Age of Empires 2 as Genghis Khan, and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves as the nefarious Dr. M. All of the developers – from Sucker Punch and Humungous Entertainment to Nintendo – were fixtures of the Washington state game scene where May called home. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2007/08/22/team-fortress-2-pc-games-gameplay-meet-the-soldier"] In 2007 May once again starred in a game that dominated internet culture for years when he voiced the Team Fortress 2 Soldier for another Washington-based game company, Valve. His roles as Soldier for various Valve shorts were the most recent listed on May’s IMDB page. But the role is a surprising showcase that combines expert comedic timing with gruff charisma. A fitting role for an actor who played a variety of charismatic soldiers on stage. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

The Rekindle School, an independent theater and arts school in Seattle, Washington, reported that one of its faculty, Rick May, has died from complications with COVID-19. May, a stage actor, was also the voice of popular video game characters like Peppy Hare in Star Fox 64 and Soldier in Team Fortress 2. May was 79. Peppy Hare might not be one of gaming's most famous characters, but May’s line in 1997's Star Fox 64 where he played Fox McCloud’s mentor is one of the most iconic lines in gaming history - so much so that even Google got in on the beloved meme. Go ahead, Google "Do a barrel roll" and see what happens. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2011/11/03/google-does-a-barrel-roll"] May was primarily a theater actor. He served as artistic director of Renton Civic Theatre and Civic Light Opera in Washington state, where he also worked as a freelance actor and director. Throughout his career, he portrayed famous characters such as Tevye in Fiddler On the Roof, Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. May also played historic figures like Ben Franklin, King Henry II, Julius Caesar, and Theodore Roosevelt in a one-man play Bully! Whether it was Shakespearean leaders or down-on-their-luck salesmen, May seemed most comfortable exploring the range of masculine roles. In 1997, May began voice acting, and he brought the range he showcased on stage to video games. Although he’s only credited with six video game roles, his most famous characters are instantly recognizable: Peppy Hare and Andross in Star Fox 64, and Soldier in Team Fortress 2 (and its famous animated shorts) – a broad showcase for May's talents as an actor. Following his appearance in Star Fox 64, May appeared in the games Pajama Sam 2 as Wingnut, Freddi Fish 5 as Dadfish, Age of Empires 2 as Genghis Khan, and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves as the nefarious Dr. M. All of the developers – from Sucker Punch and Humungous Entertainment to Nintendo – were fixtures of the Washington state game scene where May called home. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2007/08/22/team-fortress-2-pc-games-gameplay-meet-the-soldier"] In 2007 May once again starred in a game that dominated internet culture for years when he voiced the Team Fortress 2 Soldier for another Washington-based game company, Valve. His roles as Soldier for various Valve shorts were the most recent listed on May’s IMDB page. But the role is a surprising showcase that combines expert comedic timing with gruff charisma. A fitting role for an actor who played a variety of charismatic soldiers on stage. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

In a new interview, Sam Raimi casually confirmed that he's directing Marvel's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Speaking to ComingSoon and other oulets about his new Quibi series, 50 States of Fright, Raimi was asked about putting a Doctor Strange reference in Spider-Man 2 and then being attached to helm a Doctor Strange film all these years later. For those who don't recall, there's a scene in Spider-Man 2 where the Daily Bugle's J. Jonah Jameson and Ted Hoffman riff on supervillain names for Otto Octavius and pass on using Doctor Strange since it's already taken. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/14/what-is-doctor-strange-2s-multiverse-of-madness] Raimi also spoke of his love of the character of Doctor Strange, a superhero he only ranked, though, "at number five" among his picks for the best comic characters. "I loved Doctor Strange as a kid, but he was always after Spider-Man and Batman for me, he was probably at number five for me of great comic book characters,” Raimi said, before going on to confirm his involvement with the Doctor Strange sequel. “He was so original, but when we had that moment in Spider-Man 2 I had no idea that we would ever be making a Doctor Strange movie, so it was really funny to me that coincidentally that line was in the movie. I gotta say I wish we had the foresight to know that I was going to be involved in the project.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvel-phase-4-official-lineup&captions=true"] Raimi being considered to direct Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was confirmed by the project's original director, Scott Derrickson, in a social media post wishing Raimi well with the film, but this is Raimi's first direct confirmation that he's directing the sequel. For more on Raimi and the Doctor Strange sequel, check out this theory on how Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man could appear in Raimi's Multiverse of Madness.

In a new interview, Sam Raimi casually confirmed that he's directing Marvel's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Speaking to ComingSoon and other oulets about his new Quibi series, 50 States of Fright, Raimi was asked about putting a Doctor Strange reference in Spider-Man 2 and then being attached to helm a Doctor Strange film all these years later. For those who don't recall, there's a scene in Spider-Man 2 where the Daily Bugle's J. Jonah Jameson and Ted Hoffman riff on supervillain names for Otto Octavius and pass on using Doctor Strange since it's already taken. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/14/what-is-doctor-strange-2s-multiverse-of-madness] Raimi also spoke of his love of the character of Doctor Strange, a superhero he only ranked, though, "at number five" among his picks for the best comic characters. "I loved Doctor Strange as a kid, but he was always after Spider-Man and Batman for me, he was probably at number five for me of great comic book characters,” Raimi said, before going on to confirm his involvement with the Doctor Strange sequel. “He was so original, but when we had that moment in Spider-Man 2 I had no idea that we would ever be making a Doctor Strange movie, so it was really funny to me that coincidentally that line was in the movie. I gotta say I wish we had the foresight to know that I was going to be involved in the project.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvel-phase-4-official-lineup&captions=true"] Raimi being considered to direct Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was confirmed by the project's original director, Scott Derrickson, in a social media post wishing Raimi well with the film, but this is Raimi's first direct confirmation that he's directing the sequel. For more on Raimi and the Doctor Strange sequel, check out this theory on how Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man could appear in Raimi's Multiverse of Madness.

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite Chapter 2: Season 2 has been extended until June 4, five weeks longer than its original end date of April 30. Announced in an official blog post, Epic didn't offer any specific reason for the delay but simply said that the season had been "extended" and that "our plan is to launch Chapter 2 - Season 3 on June 4." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/03/fortnite-deadpool-has-arrived-trailer"] While Epic hasn't detailed how the extended season will play out in exact detail, it is promising "lots of content coming in the current season." Further, the developers are promising "multiple game updates" that will offer "fresh gameplay, new challenges, bonus XP, and a couple more surprises." However, with the removal of patch notes, it might be hard to know when those updates have occurred. With only two weeks of Midas challenges left, it should be interesting to see what Epic has planned for the next few weeks. However, for now it seems we will have to wait and see what tricks Epic has up its sleeve. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=games-that-came-back-from-the-brink-of-disaster&captions=true"] While we wait to see what content is coming, the highly anticipated Deadpool skin has finally arrived in the game. If you need help unlocking the skin, be sure to check out our Deadpool challenge guide. If you're still trying to grind to Tier 100 and unlock the coveted Midas skin, you can earn tons of XP by completing the weekly challenges. Additionally, be sure to check out our guide on some of the best places to land in Fortnite Chapter 2. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Andrew Smith is a freelance contributor with IGN. Follow him on Twitter @_andrewtsmith.

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite Chapter 2: Season 2 has been extended until June 4, five weeks longer than its original end date of April 30. Announced in an official blog post, Epic didn't offer any specific reason for the delay but simply said that the season had been "extended" and that "our plan is to launch Chapter 2 - Season 3 on June 4." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/03/fortnite-deadpool-has-arrived-trailer"] While Epic hasn't detailed how the extended season will play out in exact detail, it is promising "lots of content coming in the current season." Further, the developers are promising "multiple game updates" that will offer "fresh gameplay, new challenges, bonus XP, and a couple more surprises." However, with the removal of patch notes, it might be hard to know when those updates have occurred. With only two weeks of Midas challenges left, it should be interesting to see what Epic has planned for the next few weeks. However, for now it seems we will have to wait and see what tricks Epic has up its sleeve. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=games-that-came-back-from-the-brink-of-disaster&captions=true"] While we wait to see what content is coming, the highly anticipated Deadpool skin has finally arrived in the game. If you need help unlocking the skin, be sure to check out our Deadpool challenge guide. If you're still trying to grind to Tier 100 and unlock the coveted Midas skin, you can earn tons of XP by completing the weekly challenges. Additionally, be sure to check out our guide on some of the best places to land in Fortnite Chapter 2. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Andrew Smith is a freelance contributor with IGN. Follow him on Twitter @_andrewtsmith.

SPOILERS AHEAD for American Psycho! [poilib element="accentDivider"] It's been 20 years since Christian Bale killed Jared Leto with an axe -- that is, it's been two decades since the serial killer satire American Psycho opened in theaters on April 14, 2000. In honor of that anniversary, director Mary Harron shared her thoughts on one of her movie's most infamous and grisliest scenes: Patrick Bateman's (Bale) murder of his loathed rival, Paul Allen (played by Leto). In the film, based on Bret Easton Ellis's controversial novel, Wall Street investment banker Patrick Bateman turns serial killer. Although viewers had already seen Bateman kill a homeless man and a dog, the scene where Bateman brings home his drunk co-worker Paul Allen, gives him a lecture on the Huey Lewis and the News song "Hip to Be Square," and then hacks him to death with an axe is the movie's first real showcase of Bateman's utter depravity and obsessive dedication to his, um, craft. And as Harron tells it, Jared Leto never saw it coming. That shocked reaction from Leto seen in the movie was genuine. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/07/04/american-psycho-whats-the-difference] “We decided to shoot the rehearsal of the actual murder without telling Jared,” Harron told Entertainment Weekly. "Christian held back his performance until then so that it would be a real surprise. When he screams 'Hey Paul' and Jared turns around and sees Christian running towards him with the axe, he looks genuinely shocked." Harron also recounted how arduous the all-night shoot was for the rest of the scene, which saw Bale splattered with blood while Leto lay on the floor awaiting dismemberment. According to the director, “It’s not easy to do an ax murder.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-most-controversial-horror-movies&captions=true"] For more on Jared Leto being shocked by things, you must read how Leto found out about the coronavirus.

SPOILERS AHEAD for American Psycho! [poilib element="accentDivider"] It's been 20 years since Christian Bale killed Jared Leto with an axe -- that is, it's been two decades since the serial killer satire American Psycho opened in theaters on April 14, 2000. In honor of that anniversary, director Mary Harron shared her thoughts on one of her movie's most infamous and grisliest scenes: Patrick Bateman's (Bale) murder of his loathed rival, Paul Allen (played by Leto). In the film, based on Bret Easton Ellis's controversial novel, Wall Street investment banker Patrick Bateman turns serial killer. Although viewers had already seen Bateman kill a homeless man and a dog, the scene where Bateman brings home his drunk co-worker Paul Allen, gives him a lecture on the Huey Lewis and the News song "Hip to Be Square," and then hacks him to death with an axe is the movie's first real showcase of Bateman's utter depravity and obsessive dedication to his, um, craft. And as Harron tells it, Jared Leto never saw it coming. That shocked reaction from Leto seen in the movie was genuine. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/07/04/american-psycho-whats-the-difference] “We decided to shoot the rehearsal of the actual murder without telling Jared,” Harron told Entertainment Weekly. "Christian held back his performance until then so that it would be a real surprise. When he screams 'Hey Paul' and Jared turns around and sees Christian running towards him with the axe, he looks genuinely shocked." Harron also recounted how arduous the all-night shoot was for the rest of the scene, which saw Bale splattered with blood while Leto lay on the floor awaiting dismemberment. According to the director, “It’s not easy to do an ax murder.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-most-controversial-horror-movies&captions=true"] For more on Jared Leto being shocked by things, you must read how Leto found out about the coronavirus.