Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's rumored Harry Potter RPG is reportedly set to be released in late 2021 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, according to a report by Bloomberg. Although, the developers are said to be "rattled" by such issues as the COVID-19 pandemic, J.K. Rowling's recent controversial comments, and the possible sale of the Warner Bros. video game publishing business. This Harry Potter RPG has been long-rumored but never officially announced. While there was a supposed gameplay leak in 2018, Warner Bros. has yet to confirm this much-anticipated title to the world at large. The project is said to let players become wizards in an open world that takes place at Hogwarts and its nearby locations. Two anonymous sources close to the project have revealed to Bloomberg that the project is "very real" and that it is in development by Disney Infinity studio Avalanche Software in Salt Lake City, Utah. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/10/05/our-leaked-harry-potter-rpg-theories-beyond-highlight"] The sources have confirmed the leak from 2018 was authentic, but many of the rumors that have come after are false. It was also said that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the possible sale of the Warner Bros. video game publishing business, and "fierce backlash against the franchise's creator," the game still remains on track for its release next year. There is anxiety at the studio, however, especially due to the aforementioned comments by J.K. Rowling that are widely viewed as transphobic. According to one person, the studio's management has still not addressed the controversial words by Rowling. Many spoke out against Rowling's comments, including those who have worked close with her and starred in Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beasts franchises – Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Eddie Redmayne. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/11/24/best-25-harry-potter-characters"] Rowling is still very involved in most things Harry Potter, although one of the sources said that she has, "very little direct involvement" in this project. Felicia Grady, the managing editor of the popular Harry Potter fan site MuggleNet wrote an e-mail to Bloomberg stating that this controversy is, "likely to diminish some of the anticipation of the game." "Based on what I’ve seen from fans, I do believe that Rowling’s comments have had some effect on the level of excitement they have for the Harry Potter RPG or other upcoming content,” Grady wrote. “We’ve seen comments from fans who no longer wish to support Rowling or the brand financially." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-harry-potter-universes-most-fantastic-beasts&captions=true"] The possible sale of the Warner Bros. video game publishing business is also of big concern because, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Matthew Kanterman, expensive projects can be the, "most at risk of cancellation in the event of a sale," especially one that has been in development for so long. These issues have caused WB to shift its plans regarding the reveal of the project, which was originally going to appear during E3 2020. The new plan, according to those familiar with such things, is to unveil the new Batman game in August at the DC FanDome and then focus on the Harry Potter RPG at a later date. These plans, however, were made prior to Rowling's comments. [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.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has promised to "personally follow" each of the recent reports of sexual misconduct at the company, while two of its vice-presidents, among others, have allegedly been placed on leave as a result of the reports. In a letter to staff obtained by Business Insider, Guillemot writes that he has been "profoundly affected" by the multiple reports of sexual impropriety and abuse emerging from Ubisoft. "These actions are in total contradiction with our values ​​and with what I want for Ubisoft", Guillemot's letter continues. "The company we hold dear must offer a welcoming and respectful environment, allowing everyone to flourish. I will not accept anything less." Guillemot said the company was setting up a multidisciplinary working group (with an external partner) in order to "come up with better solutions and tools to detect, report and resolve any incident or serious problem without delay and in an impartial manner." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/24/assassinss-creed-valhalla-creative-director-is-stepping-down-amid-cheating-allegations"] Separately, Bloomberg reports that vice-presidents Tommy François and Maxime Béland, as well as several other employees, have been placed on administrative leave as allegations of misconduct from multiple sources are investigated. Bloomberg reports that many Ubisoft employees have expressed skepticism over whether appropriate action will be taken, with some pointing out that some of these allegations are not new, and have been reported to HR in the past without result. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla creative director Ashraf Ismail has already stepped down from his role on the project after he was accused of engaging in extramarital affairs. It's unclear what his status as an Ubisoft employee is at this time. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Sony has announced that NBA 2K20, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Erica will be July 2020's PlayStation Plus free games. In addition, today, June 29, is the 10 year anniversary of the launch of PlayStation Plus. Announced on PlayStation.Blog, all three of these games will be available from July 7 - August 3. As for how Sony is celebrating 10 years of PlayStation Plus, it will be offering a free PS4 theme for a limited time, and a free online multiplayer weekend that will start on July 4 at 12:01am - July 5 at 11:59pm in your local timezone. PlayStation also shared a look back graphic of PS Plus through the years. Some interesting facts shown are that Wipeout HD was one of the first games given to PS Plus Members, June 2012 saw the introduction of monthly games, over 1,000 games have been offered through the service globally, and there are over 41.5 million users as of March 31, 2020. It also revealed that the Top 5 Monthly Games Redeemed from PS Plus Globally are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Sonic Forces, Shadow of the Colossus, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, and Destiny 2. The Top 5 Online Multiplayer Games Played by PS Plus Members Globally are Grand Theft Auto V, Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Destiny, and Call of Duty: Black Ops IV. In our review of NBA 2K20, we said "NBA 2K continues its tradition of upping already tremendous gameplay, emulating the real-life sport in ways that didn’t seem possible just years ago." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/09/nba-2k20-review"] In our review of Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, we said "Rise of the Tomb Raider hasn’t lost its luster a year after its initial release. Bundled together with all of the content released so far, Lara’s already-packed adventure is now even bigger." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/10/10/rise-of-the-tomb-raider-20-year-celebration-review"] Erica is a "feature-length cinematic experience" that follows Erica, a "brave young lady plagues with nightmare's of your father's murder." When traumatic events are brought back to light via new clues, you must figure out the "shocking truth behind this devastating tragedy. This news follows PlayStation Plus' June 2020 lineup that included both Call of Duty: World War II and Star Wars Battlefront 2. [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 who wishes PlayStation Plus a happy 10th birthday. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Harley Quinn is getting a new comic book series, but with a twist. DC has revealed Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red, a digital-first anthology series where every story is rendered in only those three colors. Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red will feature a rotating team of creators, with the first story written and drawn by Harleen creator Stjepan Šejić. Dubbed "Harleen: Red," this story is a spinoff from that DC Black Label book and will offer a deeper look at Harleen Quinzel's troubled mind. You can check out a preview of that story in the slideshow gallery below: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=harley-quinn-black-white-red-gives-harley-a-stylish-makeover&captions=true"] The series will span 14 chapters in all, with upcoming stories featuring the likes of Harley co-creator Paul Dini, Harley Quinn New 52 team of Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner and Chad Hardin, Miles Morales: Spider-Man writer Saladin Ahmed, Dial H for Hero artist Joe Quinones and History of the Marvel Universe artist Javier Rodriguez. Much like DC's Batman: Black & White series, Harley Quinn: Black + White+ Red is aimed at allowing creators to put a personal artistic spin on the character in a continuity-free setting. “This is such a cool series with killer art,” said DC Executive Editor Mark Doyle in a statement. “Senior Editor Chris Conroy had the idea to riff on the classic Batman: Black & White series but to do it with Harley in that irreverent, fun way that only Harley can do—and DC Digital First seemed like the perfect format to tell these stories.” The series' first chapter is available to purchase now on ReadDC.com, ComiXology and other digital comics retailers, with new chapters releasing every Friday. DC hasn't yet announced whether Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red will be released in print form, but based on past digital-first projects, we'd assume a print series will follow later in 2020. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/26/joker-war-why-batmans-worst-enemy-is-finally-ready-to-finish-their-game"] This is just the latest digital-first series DC has added to its lineup in recent months. DCeased: Hope at World's End is a spinoff of the original zombie-centric series, one that fleshes out a lost period of time from the first story. The publisher also expanded its digital-first program to feature daily new releases, spotlighting popular heroes like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. For more on what's new in the DCU, find out how Dark Nights: Death Metal is tying together 80 years of history and learn more about what's coming in the epic Batman: Joker War crossover. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

A professional Rocket League player was apparently shocked by a lightning strike while they playing the game live on stream. Twitch streamer Karma's neighbour's house was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm and, as a result, the jolt appears to have travelled into her room and hit the controller she was using to play the game. Karma was not on camera at the time of the strike, but can be heard reacting to it (Content warning: Some viewers may find the footage disturbing).

UPDATE: talking to doctor, hands are burned and controller is broken.

unlucky https://t.co/ve6sVrnabO — Karma (@KarmahTV) June 29, 2020

You can hear Karma explaining the situation in a subsequent clip from her stream here, where she talks about how the lightning may have travelled into her house, causing the controller to spark and burn her hands. The streamer sought medical attention after the event and thankfully, she has since told her fans on Twitter that she is fine. The streamer was casting a Rocket League series when the strike occurred, and the controller she was holding is now broken as a result. We hope Karma makes a speedy recovery. In other Rocket League-adjacent news, check out this unlicensed Quidditch-Rocket League hybrid game that was recently pulled from Steam. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Hideo Kojima has tweeted out part of his process for designing a "new title", with one image suggesting that Kojima Productions' next game could be set within the Death Stranding universe. Kojima has explained that he's working on a new concept with longtime collaborator and Kojima Productions art director Yoji Shinkawa, and keen-eyed fans have spotted that one piece of concept art features a vehicle with a prominent 'BRIDGES' logo emblazoned on the side (BRIDGES being the organization Norman Reedus' Sam works for in Death Stranding):

Spotted by @latonglibre. pic.twitter.com/d8zEoYSP6P

— French Stranding (@FrenchStranding) June 27, 2020

Naturally, people are now wondering whether the legendary director is planning on making an immediate return for a Death Stranding sequel of some kind. Kojima has previously said that he'd be open to returning to the Death Stranding universe, but explained that he'd 'start from zero' if he did, seemingly indicating that a new game wouldn't continue the plot of the first. Kojima recently scrapped a big project and is now in the planning phase of his next game - it's not clear just yet what shape that game will take, but by these concepts, it looks like it may be related to Death Stranding in some fashion. As can be seen in the below tweet, despite the fact that they're both working from home, Kojima is working on a new title with Kojima Productions Art Director Yoji Shinkawa, going back and forth and discussing the project's characters, world and ideas over email and text.

Here's my way of designing new title w/Yoji. 1st we discuss the setting for each character, the background, the world, the color, the characteristics, the roles, the images, ideas and keyword going back&forth via E-mail. WFH & 20 mins direct discussion. Mostly texting via iPhone. pic.twitter.com/XCYpFwsQ6U

— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) June 26, 2020

The first Death Stranding still has yet to hit PC, but it will arrive on July 14 after a delay - and we now know what it'll take to run the game on your machine. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN who wants Kojima to make a full game about pizza delivery based off of that one Death Stranding mission. Follow him on Twitter.

Microsoft has downplayed the significance of two social media accounts that reference Microsoft properties Fable and Perfect Dark, but fans aren't convinced. Last week, fans picked up on @fable and @PerfectDarkGame accounts, both of which were registered in early 2020. Verge journalist Tom Warren noticed that the Perfect Dark account was followed by a Microsoft employee, which turned out to be Ken Lobb, Creative Director at Microsoft Studios and former Perfect Dark developer. Warren also noted that the Fable account is registered to a Microsoft email address.

I’m not sure who discovered the @fable and @PerfectDarkGame placeholders, but a Microsoft Xbox employee is following one, and the other is registered to a Microsoft email address  pic.twitter.com/MagqUbPiZf

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) June 27, 2020

Xbox Games Marketing's Aaron Greenberg was quick to quash rumours about the accounts, replying to Warren's tweet and stating that "it's standard practice to secure social handles for our IP," noting that the accounts "have been inactive for years." However, it clearly says on the placeholder pages that both accounts joined Twitter in March and June of 2020, so what's really going on? The @PerfectDarkGame account subsequently tweeted to say that it had been acquired by a fan of the series, but was surprised to see Ken Lobb request to follow the page. Adding to the strangeness of the situation is the fact that both accounts were originally spotted with the display name "Placeholder" (which the Fable account still shows). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/01/19/what-we-want-from-the-new-fable-unlocked-329-teaser"] Rumours around a potential revival for the Fable and Perfect Dark franchise have been swirling for some time. In the case of Fable 4, we've been reporting on that potential project for a few years now - here's what we'd like to see from a new game in the series. Many are hoping to see a reveal for one or both projects at July's showcase of first-party Xbox Series X games. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.   

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time will feature over 100 levels and in-game purchases of some description. According to an email from GameStop received by fans, the forthcoming game will feature "100+ levels of play" as well as "new game modes" when it launches in October. For some perspective, Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped had 32 levels including bosses and secrets. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/22/crash-bandicoot-4-first-gameplay-details"]. A Microsoft Store page for the game includes a little plus symbol next to the game's price tag, which suggests that the game "offers in-app purchases" of some kind. It's not clear how these will work, as of yet, but microtransactions were previously added to Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled in August 2019 as part of a post-launch update. In the racing spin-off, players could purchase Wumpa Coins using real-world money, with which they could buy cosmetics to trick out their kart. Given that Crash Bandicoot 4 is already offering pre-order skins for its lead characters, we could see a similar system here. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-crash-bandicoot-game-review&captions=true"] If you want to check out the first gameplay for Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time and dig into further details about what new features are coming to the game, check out our interview with Toys for Bob Design Producer Lou Studdert. If your Bandicoot appetite is still not sated, you can check out all of IGN's Crash Bandicoot game reviews here. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN who has got to get those apples. Follow him on Twitter.

During a recent interview for Variety‘s "Actors on Actors," the MCU's Anthony Mackie talked to Snowpiercer's Daveed Diggs about the need for more diversity in Marvel movies. As the two discussed their recent projects, Mackie said "When The Falcon and the Winter Soldier comes out, I’m the lead. When Snowpiercer came out, you’re the lead. We have the power and the ability to ask those questions. It really bothered me that I’ve done seven Marvel movies where every producer, every director, every stunt person, every costume designer, every PA, every single person has been white." "We’ve had one Black producer. His name was Nate Moore. He produced Black Panther," Mackie continued. "But then when you do Black Panther, you have a Black director, Black producer, you have a Black costume designer, you have a Black stunt choreographer. And I’m like, that’s more racist than anything else. Because if you only can hire the Black people for the Black movie, are you saying they’re not good enough when you have a mostly white cast?" Concluding, Mackie added "My big push with Marvel is hire the best person for the job. Even if it means we’re going to get the best two women, we’re going to get the best two men. Fine. I’m cool with those numbers for the next 10 years. Because it starts to build a new generation of people who can put something on their resume to get them other jobs. If we’ve got to divvy out as a percentage, divvy it out. And that’s something as leading men that we can go in and push for." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=from-iron-man-to-endgame-how-the-avengers-salaries-changed&captions=true"] A few months back, Mackie spoke more in depth about The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, stating that fans will be surprised how evolved the characters are on the upcoming Disney+ series. Aside from Mackie and co-star Sebastian Stan, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier also features the return of Daniel Bruhl's Zemo and Emily Van Camp's Sharon Carter, as well as Wyatt Russell as John Walker - aka U.S. Agent. Click here for a quick rundown of how Sam Wilson became Captain America in the comics, which seems to be what this series is angling to do given how Avengers: Endgame concluded. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/07/mcu-phase-4-theory-black-widow-is-setting-up-an-avengers-level-villain-ign-now"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.

Key cast members of the long-running X-Men franchise -- Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, and Famke Janssen -- recently reunited for a brief virtual chat to raise awareness for the Global Citizen: United For Our Future benefit concert to celebrate the heroic acts of healthcare and other essential workers. It wasn't long though before a call rang in, bringing Ryan Reynolds into the session (which made McKellen scram immediately). "I hope it's okay if I join," Reynolds says, noticing the awkwardness. "I figured we were all in X-Men together." Check out the clip here... [youtube clip_id="TvLnAZXznes"] After James McAvoy and Sophie Turner both enter the chat, Reynolds makes a remark about the multiple timelines and then adds "It's just like the X-Men movies. It doesn't matter." Make sure you watch all the way to the end for a hilarious final guest. In Deadpool 3 news, Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld recently said that he thinks, with Disney's acquisition of Fox, that the Deadpool movies have "set sail" and that Marvel Studios had "zero" plans to make a third film. Back in May, Reynolds offered up his own thoughts as to whether Disney and Deadpool were a good fit. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-superhero-movies&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN and a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMattFowler and Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBFowler.