On this week's episode of IGN's PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined (again!) by Brian Altano, Mitchell Saltzmann, and Janet Garcia, to discuss their hands-on time with some of Ubisoft's big, upcoming games. Janet and Brian discuss why they had so much fun in the world of Watch Dogs: Legion, and Mitchell discusses what did and didn't grab him about Assassin's Creed: Valhalla's hands-on. Plus, it's maybe the 30th episode where we predict PS5 price and release dates, because rumors don't stop coming. Watch the episode below! [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/15/assassins-creed-watch-dogs-hands-on-impressions-beyond-episode-656"] Download or listen to the show on these platforms: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=assassins-creed-valhalla-ubisoft-forward-screenshots&captions=true"]

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Podcast Beyond! is live every Wednesday. For more on PS5, check out the PS5 full specs list, why we're excited about PS5's 3D audio focus, and an analysis of what teraflops really mean for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. [poilib element="poll" parameters="id=5e30320c-7b56-4ab8-8333-469a99e933e9"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Update: While Twitter continues to sort out the mass hacking attack, it seems to have disabled the ability for anyone with verified Twitter accounts from posting Tweets. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Original story: Reports are coming out that there is a wide-reaching hacking attack targeting verified Twitter accounts with large followings. Twitter accounts for people like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and even company accounts like the official Apple Twitter have all been seemingly affected. The alleged hackers appear to be taking over famous Twitter accounts to impersonate the account owners and pretend they’re offering a Bitcoin giveaway. Twitter accounts for Musk, Kanye West, and even presidential candidate Joe Biden has posted a tweet with some variation on a message asking followers to give them bitcoin, which they will then return with double the amount. These accounts are all sharing the same bitcoin address, so whoever is behind the hack seems to be diverting people’s bitcoins to the same account. [caption id="attachment_2380377" align="alignnone" width="594"] A screenshot of Musk's tweet with the BTC address removed.[/caption] Since the apparent hack, Apple has completely wiped its Twitter account, which now shows zero tweets. In the case of Musk, his account appears to have been targeted multiple times as his account posted the same message after the original tweet was deleted. Twitter's official Support account tweeted that it is "aware of a security incident impacting accounts on Twitter" and that it is investigating the situation. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Star Wars: Squadrons will let fans of that galaxy far, far away pilot everything from a T-65B X-Wing to a TIE Bomber, and EA has provided a breakdown of each starfighter, their special abilities, how they differ from each other, and the importance of power management between engines, lasers, and shields. These new details came way by a Star Wars: Squadrons' Pilot Briefing, and it begins by explaining that while each starfighter will have its own unique handling and functionality, every ship will have "primary weapons, countermeasures, a hull outfitting, engines, and two auxiliary abilities (such as missiles or repair droids), though some starfighters also have shields." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/15/star-wars-squadrons-official-trailer"]

Power Management for Engines, Lasers, and Shields

Power management is supremely important for pilots, as different situations call for prioritizing of certain subsystems. For example, pilots can divert all power to lasers, which will allow them to recharge faster and gain the ability to overcharge lasers for increased damage. However, with all the power focused on the lasers, the engines and/or shields will suffer and pilots may move slower or have weaker defenses, which could ruin a rushed plan. As for the other max power abilities, a maxed out engine will allow a starfighter to charge up and use a very powerful speed boost, "not unlike what Poe Dameron used in Star Wars: The Last Jedi." Max shield power will allow for overshields, which will provide up to 200% shielding for the front and back of your starfighter for a defensive play. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=star-wars-squadrons-pilot-briefing-screenshots&captions=true"] Not all starfighters have shields, however, and those starfighters can use a power converter to quickly divert all power from lasers to engines or vice-versa. Star Wars: Squadrons also has options for how to handle power management, and players can switch between a "basic, simplified power management system and a more advanced one that allows them to more precisely control how much power goes to each subsystem." Aside from power management, hull integrity (ship health) must also be monitored. Unfortunately, the hull will not automatically recharge like shields, but Astromechs and repair systems can be used to restore a ship. Returning to the hangar in a flagship will also allow for a full repair. Oh, and support starfighters can heal their allies. Speaking of support starfighters, they can also resupply others in the battlefield. If there is not support ship nearby, flying under an allied crusier or into the capital ship's hangar will restock your munitions as well. Standard weapons/lasers don't require ammo and will recharge, but countermeasures, torpedoes, mines, and other components will have limited ammo. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/18/star-wars-squadrons-gameplay-reveal-and-overview-trailer-ea-play-2020"]

Starfighter Classes - Fighter, Interceptor, Bomber, Support

Star Wars: Squadrons features eight starfighters - T-65B X-wing, BTL-A4 Y-wing, RZ-1 A-wing, UT-60D U-wing, TIE fighter, TIE bomber, TIE interceptor, and TIE Reaper, and four classes - Fighter, Interceptor, Bomber, and Support. The Fighter-class (X-wing and TIE fighter) are the most balanced starfighters and are good in most situations, but don't excel at any one thing. The Interceptor-class (A-wing and TIE interceptor) are experts at dogfighting and have high speed and powerful lasers. On the flip side, their shields are relatively weak as compared to other classes. The Bomber-class (Y-wing and TIE bomber) are the slowest class, but they can take a ton of damage and can deal even more. They are ideal for bombing runs on capital chips and leading the frontline assault. Lastly, the Support-class (U-wing and TIE reaper) are dedicated to helping their allies by resupplying and repairing their starfighters. They can use tractor beams to stop or slow enemies, drop mines, and deploy turrets to help turn the tide of a battle. They are not as fast and don't pack quite a punch, but there value can not be understated. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=star-wars-squadrons-7-images&captions=true"]

Recreating the Authentic Star Wars Starfighters

Star Wars Squadrons' creative director Ian Frazier discussed how serious the team took on the mission of recreating these iconic ships as faithfully as possible, while also ensuring for a balanced gameplay experience for all. A big focus, according to Frazier, was the creation of the cockpits for each ship. There is a push and pull that needs perfected between matching "the aesthetic from the films and incorporating the necessary gameplay information as naturally as possible." "This means that when we want to communicate the charge level of your lasers in an X-wing," Frazier explained. "We design the cockpit instruments for that as if we were Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) building the prop in the '70s. We don't say "put a red light there," we say "if you needed to physically build this using the sorts of parts that ILM had, how would it be built? Is that light a bulb? An LED? How would it be integrated into the dashboard and how would its light interact with everything around it. We ensure the screens are CRTs with appropriately curved monitors, and so forth." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-star-wars-game-review&captions=true"] The TIE fighters proved to be a bit of a challenge because there was "no existing canonical guide [when we started development] as to how exactly those ships are piloted, which meant we needed to figure out the way things like the control yoke actually worked in a very practical sense." To solve this, and to ensure the best experience for each ship, the team at EA Motive worked with Lucasfilm, animators, and mocap actors in actual built out cockpits to find the right fit for each starfighter. This attention to detail goes to another level when the "Instruments Only" mode is turned on. This removes all in-world UI elements and forces pilots to rely solely on the cockpit instruments. It makes the game harder, but provides for ultimate immersion, especially when matched with a VR headset or using a HOTAS setup.

Star Wars: Squadrons Release Date and Gameplay Reveal

Star Wars Squadrons will be released on October 2, 2020 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Squadrons will also be released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, but no date has been announced as of yet. At EA Play Live 2020, Star Wars: Squadrons got its first gameplay reveal and we learned more about its single-player campaign that is set after the Battle of Endor and the destruction of the Death Star II. [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 can't wait and is so excited he just can't hide it. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Ever wonder what it would be like to try an escape a sinking ship? What if that sinking ship was also haunted? Well, Under is exactly that kind of horror game where players take on the role of traumatized WW1 veteran Alexander Dockter as he tries and escapes a sinking ocean liner, full of horrors and narrow corridors reminiscent of P.T. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/15/under-trailer"] Under bills itself as a classic horror game with a gorgeous setting and plenty of scares. The two main dangers are the creature stalking Alexander, and the possibly more pressing matter of the whole ordeal taking place on a sinking ship. You can watch exclusive gameplay for Under in the video below. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/15/under-gameplay-trailer"] As part of publisher Rogue’s foray into console gaming, including the announcement that former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé is joining the company’s board; Rogue announced that developer Globiss’ upcoming horror game is also coming to consoles later this year. While there’s no exact release date, Rogue has confirmed that Under will be coming to PC, Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation in Q4 2020. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Netflix announced Wednesday that they are teaming with Gaumont for a CG-animated series inspired by the classic, award-winning comic book series Usagi Yojimbo. The animated action-comedy show is titled Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles and will include the involvement of the comic's Eisner-winning creator, Stan Sakai, as executive producer. 88 Pictures (Trollhunters, Fast & Furious Spy Racers) will serve as the CGI animation studio. Netflix's official plot synopsis for Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles reveals it is not a direct adaptation of Usagi Yojimbo but rather a sequel set centuries after the Edo era of the original comic:

"The series takes place in the far future, set in a world that mixes modern high-tech images with classic Japanese references. It follows the teenage Rabbit Samurai Yuichi, descendent of the great warrior Miyamoto Usagi, on his epic quest to become a true samurai. But he isn’t alone! He leads a ragtag team of misfit heroes – including a roguish bounty hunter, a cunning ninja, an acrobatic pickpocket and a faithful pet lizard – as he battles depth-charging moles, metal-tipped winged bats, and monsters from another dimension, all in the pursuit to become the best samurai Usagi!"

In addition to Stan Sakai as Executive Producer, the team includes Gaumont (Executive Producers Nicolas Atlan, Terry Kalagian, Sidonie Dumas and Christophe Riandee), Dark Horse Entertainment (Executive Producers Mike Richardson, Keith Goldberg and Chris Tongue), and Atomic Monster (Executive Producers James Wan, Michael Clear and Rob Hackett). Ben Jones (Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teen Titans, The Iron Giant) is Supervising Producer while Khang Le (Big Hero 6, Little Big Awesome) will serve as Art Director on the series. Candie and Doug Langdale (Maya and the Three, The Book of Life, Puss in Boots, Niko and the Sword of Life, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness) are attached as exec producers and showrunners. Usagi Yojimbo protagonist Miyamoto Usagi ranked #92 on IGN’s Top 100 comic-book characters of all time. Miyamoto Usagi appeared as a supporting character in two different Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=netflix-spotlight-july-2020&captions=true"]

Michael Dowse will direct the feature film version of the Avalanche Studios-Square Enix video game franchise Just Cause. Dowse, whose directing credits include the action-comedies Stuber and Netflix's Coffee and Kareem, will direct from a screenplay by Derek Kolstad (the John Wick franchise). "The film will follow the video game’s blueprint, as Rico Rodriguez is on a race-against-time mission to stop the mercenary group The Black Hand," according to Deadline. "There will be a female co-lead giving Just Cause a Romancing The Stone Vibe [sic]." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-video-game-movie-in-development-almost&captions=true"] Just Cause will be produced by Constantin Film’s Robert Kulzer, Prime Universe Film’s Adrian Askarieh, and Derek Kolstad. No word yet on who will play the iconic Rico Rodriguez, although Jason Momoa was once up for the role. Let us know in the comments who you'd like to see play Rico!

Netflix has released the first official trailer for Project Power, an upcoming sci-fi action thriller led by Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The action-packed trailer takes us on a trip to a new kind of world where everyone can be a superhero for five minutes, as word begins to spread on the streets of New Orleans about a mysterious new pill that unlocks temporary superpowers that are unique to each individual user.

What would you risk for 5 minutes of superpowers?

PROJECT POWER from directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman and starring Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Dominique Fishback, is headed 14 August on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/2MoQtQnql2 — NetflixFilm (@NetflixFilm) July 15, 2020

The thrilling new footage showcases the different types of superpowers that can be administered through the dangerous new drug, including bulletproof skin, invisibility, and super strength, but not everyone turns out to be a hero, as some choose to harness their powers to commit felonies. When crime rates begin to escalate to dangerous levels, a local cop (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) teams with a teenage dealer (Dominique Fishback) and a former soldier fueled by a secret vendetta (Jamie Foxx) to fight power with power and track down the group responsible for creating the formula. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-superhero-movies-and-tv-shows-on-netflix-right-now&captions=true"] Project Power also stars Machine Gun Kelly, Rodrigo Santoro, Amy Landecker, and Allen Maldonado. It's directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost, the directing duo behind Paranormal Activity 3 and 4. The movie will debut on Netflix on August 14. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Publisher Rogue Games has appointed ex-Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé as a strategic advisor to its board - just a month after it appointed ex-Sony Computer Entertainment America president Jack Tretton to a similar role. Announced in a press release, Fils-Aimé will serve as a strategic advisor to the board of directors. Rogue is currently actively moving into console publishing, and the ex-Nintendo executive will offer his expertise in that area. “When Rogue shared its console vision with me and I saw the first games that will be arriving this summer on platforms like Nintendo Switch, I was immediately impressed by the levels of ambition and innovation,” said Reggie Fils-Aimé. “I’m always on the lookout for fast-growing and innovative companies that are ready to shape the future of games and I’m excited to join Rogue in their mission to unite and simplify games publishing across all platforms.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/02/21/remembering-reggies-best-ass-moments"] Last month, Jack Tretton - who worked at Sony Computer Entertainment America for 19 years, before stepping down in 2014 - also joined Rogue as a strategic advisor, and will advise on the company's planned move into publishing on next-gen consoles. It leaves Rogue with an unusually notable set of advisors as it makes its move into console markets. IGN will be showing off one of those console games later today, so make sure keep an eye on our feeds. Rogue has previously published a number of games on Apple Arcade, including Super Impossible Road, about which we said: "For a dash of F-Zero, give Super Impossible Road a try." Since his retirement from Nintendo, Reggie's been keeping busy, from joining Gamestop's board of directors to launching a gaming podcast. We interviewed him last year as he looked back over "a career of making people smile". [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.

Since its full unveiling back at E3 2019, Crystal Dynamics has promised a beta for the upcoming Marvel's Avengers, and now finally, we know when that beta will take place. As part of IGN's continuing IGN First coverage of Marvel's Avengers, we can confirm the beta dates for Marvel's Avengers:

• August 7 - PlayStation preorder beta access begins
• August 14 - Xbox and PC Preorder beta access begins, PlayStation open beta also begins
• August 21 - Open beta across all platforms begins

[caption id="attachment_2380032" align="alignnone" width="720"] Marvel's Avengers Beta Dates[/caption] Crystal Dynamics will be hosting a second War Table presentation on July 29 at 10 a.m. PT to detail what players can expect out of the beta. While we'll have to wait a few weeks for full details, Creative Director Shaun Escayg did tease that the beta will include a little bit of everything - campaign content, co-op missions, hero progression, and exploration in War Zone and Drop Zones, the latter of which is a new kind of mission to be detailed in the War Table. "We built the beta in such a way that you can experience most of things that you’ll be doing in the full game,” Escayg said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “That means playing a piece of the original single-player Avengers story campaign, fighting through co-op missions, experiencing hero and world progression, and exploring War Zones and DROP ZONES, a new kind of mission we’ll talk about in the upcoming War Table on July 29. This beta is meaty, but it’s only a small part of the finished game." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-avengers-ps5&captions=true"] The first War Table demonstration showcased gameplay, new story details, and a bit of how hero progression works. IGN went hands-on with the Thor level shown, as well as a Kamala Khan level. For more on the upcoming Marvel adventure, hear from lead combat designer Vince Napoli on the unique approaches to each playable hero in Marvel's Avengers, find out more about why the team chose Kamala Khan and M.O.D.O.K. to help tell a unique Marvel story, and stay tuned to IGN for more in the coming weeks. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/14/marvels-avengers-combat-breakdown-black-widow-captain-america-hulk"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor and host of Podcast Beyond! Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Since its full unveiling back at E3 2019, Crystal Dynamics has promised a beta for the upcoming Marvel's Avengers, and now finally, we know when that beta will take place. As part of IGN's continuing IGN First coverage fo Marvel's Avengers, we can confirm the beta dates for Marvel's Avengers:

• August 7 - PlayStation preorder Beta access begins
• August 14 - Xbox and PC Preorder beta access begins, PlayStation open beta also begins
• August 21 - Open beta across all platforms begins

[caption id="attachment_2380032" align="alignnone" width="720"] Marvel's Avengers Beta Dates[/caption] Crystal Dynamics will be hosting a second War Table presentation on July 29 at 10 a.m. PT to detail what players can expect out of the beta. While we'll have to wait a few weeks for full details, Creative Director Shaun Escayg did tease that the beta will include a little bit of everything - campaign content, co-op missions, hero progression, and exploration in War Zone and Drop Zones, the latter of which is a new kind of mission to be detailed in the War Table. "We built the beta in such a way that you can experience most of things that you’ll be doing in the full game,” Escayg said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “That means playing a piece of the original single-player Avengers story campaign, fighting through co-op missions, experiencing hero and world progression, and exploring War Zones and DROP ZONES, a new kind of mission we’ll talk about in the upcoming War Table on July 29. This beta is meaty, but it’s only a small part of the finished game." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-avengers-ps5&captions=true"] The first War Table demonstration showcased gameplay, new story details, and a bit of how hero progression works. IGN went hands-on with the Thor level shown, as well as a Kamala Khan level. For more on the upcoming Marvel adventure, hear from lead combat designer Vince Napoli on the unique approaches to each playable hero in Marvel's Avengers, find out more about why the team chose Kamala Khan and M.O.D.O.K. to help tell a unique Marvel story, and stay tuned to IGN for more in the coming weeks. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/14/marvels-avengers-combat-breakdown-black-widow-captain-america-hulk"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor and host of Podcast Beyond! Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.