One of the big announcements reveals for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla from the Ubisoft Forward event is how players can change the protagonist Eivor’s gender at any point during the campaign. But when it comes to romance, a Ubisoft representative confirmed that Eivor’s gender will not limit or change any of the available romance options that will be present in the final game. Speaking to IGN during today’s episode of IGN News Live, Ubisoft's Youssef Maguid confirmed that “there are multiple people you can romance in the game, and you can romance all of them as either gender.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=assassins-creed-valhalla-ubisoft-forward-screenshots&captions=true"] The choice-based romance was introduced in Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey and like Valhalla, romance options weren’t restricted by the player’s gender. One difference between Odyssey and Valhalla, however, is that in Odyssey Alexios and Kassandra are two different characters. Whereas in Valhalla there is only one Eivor, who can either be played as a man or woman. In Odyssey, the separation of characters by gender did leave some narrative hurdles including romance. In one of the DLC, either Alexios or Kassandra was forced by the story to have a child with Darius’ son or daughter to carry on the Spartan bloodline. In our preview and interview with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla narrative director Darby McDevitt, the developer confirmed that the Animus will have new powers in this game. “To explain why would spoil a long-running secret, but I will say that the whole reason for why you can switch [Eivor’s gender] back and forth fully embraces the often-overlooked science fiction nature of our series,” McDevitt said. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/12/assassins-creed-valhalla-hands-on"] For more, check out IGN’s hands-on preview with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and our round-up of everything announced at Ubisoft Forward. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

One of the big announcements reveals for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla from the Ubisoft Forward event is how players can change the protagonist Eivor’s gender at any point during the campaign. But when it comes to romance, a Ubisoft representative confirmed that Eivor’s gender will not limit or change any of the available romance options that will be present in the final game. Speaking to IGN during today’s episode of IGN News Live, Ubisoft's Youssef Maguid confirmed that “there are multiple people you can romance in the game, and you can romance all of them as either gender.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=assassins-creed-valhalla-ubisoft-forward-screenshots&captions=true"] The choice-based romance was introduced in Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey and like Valhalla, romance options weren’t restricted by the player’s gender. One difference between Odyssey and Valhalla, however, is that in Odyssey Alexios and Kassandra are two different characters. Whereas in Valhalla there is only one Eivor, who can either be played as a man or woman. In Odyssey, the separation of characters by gender did leave some narrative hurdles including romance. In one of the DLC, either Alexios or Kassandra was forced by the story to have a child with Darius’ son or daughter to carry on the Spartan bloodline. In our preview and interview with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla narrative director Darby McDevitt, the developer confirmed that the Animus will have new powers in this game. “To explain why would spoil a long-running secret, but I will say that the whole reason for why you can switch [Eivor’s gender] back and forth fully embraces the often-overlooked science fiction nature of our series,” McDevitt said. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/12/assassins-creed-valhalla-hands-on"] For more, check out IGN’s hands-on preview with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and our round-up of everything announced at Ubisoft Forward. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

BOOM! Studios is relaunching its flagship Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic in November 2020. Now titled Mighty Morphin, the series will feature a revamped team lineup that includes a brand new incarnation of the Green Ranger. Mighty Morphin will be written by current Mighty Morphin Power Rangers writer Ryan Parrott and drawn by artist Marco Renna (All-New Michael Turner's Fathom). The series will be one of two new Power Rangers comics debuting in November and building on the fallout of the recent "Necessary Evil" crossover, as part of a new direction dubbed "Unlimited Power." The second title is still under wraps for the time being. Check out the slideshow gallery below to see three covers for Mighty Morphin #1: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=mighty-morphin-power-rangers-relaunch-introduces-the-all-new-green-ranger&captions=true"] Mighty Morphin will introduce several new wrinkles to the Power Rangers mythos, the most significant of them being the identity of the All New Green Ranger. It's clearly not Tommy Oliver, as Tommy looks to still be wearing the mantle of the White Ranger. The new series will reveal this mystery character's identity and explore what happens when the White Ranger and Green Ranger coexist on the same team. Boom notes the All New Green Ranger will first make their debut in October's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #55, the series finale. The new series will pit the revamped team against Lord Zedd, a villain who's gained a new mission and new motivations since his last appearance. Boom's press release teases Zedd's new mission "will change everything you thought you knew about our heroes." The press release also teases a major twist that hits very close to home for the Rangers, hinting "the greatest threat to their future is the shocking secret of Zordon’s past!" “This is a brand new beginning for an all-new Mighty Morphin team featuring characters you know - and an all new Green Ranger. This book is a chance to explore the past, present and future of the team in ways you've never seen before,” said Parrott in a statement. “Coming out of Necessary Evil, there seemed like an opportunity to not only start fresh but focus the story in on our new MIGHTY MORPHIN team like we haven't before.” “I'm really happy to have the opportunity to work on Power Rangers. I used to watch the TV show every day and being able to draw these characters is a dream come true,” said Renna. “I feel honored to be part of this fantastic team and I am excited to go into this new adventure. I really hope you enjoy my art.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/07/20/power-rangers-writer-reveals-the-future-of-the-franchise-comic-con-2019"] Fans can find out more about this relaunch at Comic-Con@Home. Boom will host a "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Future is Now" panel on Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 pm PT. In other Power Rangers news, the Rangers recently crossed paths with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, resulting in a hybrid villain known as Green Ranger Shredder. And thanks to the debut of TokuSHOUTsu, fans can now watch the original Japanese series Super Sentai that inspired the Power Rangers franchise. [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.

BOOM! Studios is relaunching its flagship Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comic in November 2020. Now titled Mighty Morphin, the series will feature a revamped team lineup that includes a brand new incarnation of the Green Ranger. Mighty Morphin will be written by current Mighty Morphin Power Rangers writer Ryan Parrott and drawn by artist Marco Renna (All-New Michael Turner's Fathom). The series will be one of two new Power Rangers comics debuting in November and building on the fallout of the recent "Necessary Evil" crossover, as part of a new direction dubbed "Unlimited Power." The second title is still under wraps for the time being. Check out the slideshow gallery below to see three covers for Mighty Morphin #1: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=mighty-morphin-power-rangers-relaunch-introduces-the-all-new-green-ranger&captions=true"] Mighty Morphin will introduce several new wrinkles to the Power Rangers mythos, the most significant of them being the identity of the All New Green Ranger. It's clearly not Tommy Oliver, as Tommy looks to still be wearing the mantle of the White Ranger. The new series will reveal this mystery character's identity and explore what happens when the White Ranger and Green Ranger coexist on the same team. Boom notes the All New Green Ranger will first make their debut in October's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #55, the series finale. The new series will pit the revamped team against Lord Zedd, a villain who's gained a new mission and new motivations since his last appearance. Boom's press release teases Zedd's new mission "will change everything you thought you knew about our heroes." The press release also teases a major twist that hits very close to home for the Rangers, hinting "the greatest threat to their future is the shocking secret of Zordon’s past!" “This is a brand new beginning for an all-new Mighty Morphin team featuring characters you know - and an all new Green Ranger. This book is a chance to explore the past, present and future of the team in ways you've never seen before,” said Parrott in a statement. “Coming out of Necessary Evil, there seemed like an opportunity to not only start fresh but focus the story in on our new MIGHTY MORPHIN team like we haven't before.” “I'm really happy to have the opportunity to work on Power Rangers. I used to watch the TV show every day and being able to draw these characters is a dream come true,” said Renna. “I feel honored to be part of this fantastic team and I am excited to go into this new adventure. I really hope you enjoy my art.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/07/20/power-rangers-writer-reveals-the-future-of-the-franchise-comic-con-2019"] Fans can find out more about this relaunch at Comic-Con@Home. Boom will host a "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Future is Now" panel on Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 pm PT. In other Power Rangers news, the Rangers recently crossed paths with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, resulting in a hybrid villain known as Green Ranger Shredder. And thanks to the debut of TokuSHOUTsu, fans can now watch the original Japanese series Super Sentai that inspired the Power Rangers franchise. [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.

Babylon's Fall, the upcoming PlayStation 4 and PC game developed in partnership between Square Enix and Platinum Games, has been confirmed to still be in development, but the wait for more info will be longer than previously planned. The Babylon's Fall development team took to Twitter to say that while they "hoped to reveal more about the game this summer," fans of the dark fantasy action game with a brushstroke visual art style called "Brushwork Filter" will have to be a bit more patient. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/10/babylons-fall-gameplay-trailer"] "Greetings," the Tweet reads. "Thank you to all fans who've been following along for updates on Babylon's Fall. While we hoped to reveal more about the game this summer, we can share that development on Babylon's Fall is continuing to progress well, with the team working safely from home." "Square Enix and Platinum Games are committed to delivering an exhilarating experience and we look forward to showcasing much more on Babylon's Fall to you as soon as we can." Babylon's Fall, which is the second game from both Square Enix and Platinum Games following NieR: Automata, was revealed during E3 2018 and appeared in December 2019's PlayStation State of Play with a gameplay trailer and the promise of "more information next summer." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/06/11/babylons-fall-reveal-trailer-square-enix-and-platinumgames-e3-2018"] [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.

Babylon's Fall, the upcoming PlayStation 4 and PC game developed in partnership between Square Enix and Platinum Games, has been confirmed to still be in development, but the wait for more info will be longer than previously planned. The Babylon's Fall development team took to Twitter to say that while they "hoped to reveal more about the game this summer," fans of the dark fantasy action game with a brushstroke visual art style called "Brushwork Filter" will have to be a bit more patient. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/10/babylons-fall-gameplay-trailer"] "Greetings," the Tweet reads. "Thank you to all fans who've been following along for updates on Babylon's Fall. While we hoped to reveal more about the game this summer, we can share that development on Babylon's Fall is continuing to progress well, with the team working safely from home." "Square Enix and Platinum Games are committed to delivering an exhilarating experience and we look forward to showcasing much more on Babylon's Fall to you as soon as we can." Babylon's Fall, which is the second game from both Square Enix and Platinum Games following NieR: Automata, was revealed during E3 2018 and appeared in December 2019's PlayStation State of Play with a gameplay trailer and the promise of "more information next summer." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/06/11/babylons-fall-reveal-trailer-square-enix-and-platinumgames-e3-2018"] [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.

While San Diego Comic-Con is an entirely digital event this year, plenty of companies are still offering up exclusive collectibles timed to Comic-Con@Home. That includes Mattel, which will be revealing several new geek-worthy toys in the days ahead. Mattel's Comic-Con exclusives include multiple deluxe Hot Wheels sets (one of which recreates an iconic moment from Avengers: Endgame) and a set of Halo Construx figurines with light-up packaging. Check out the slideshow gallery below for a closer look at all the toys revealed so far, and keep checking back all week as we update the gallery with new Mattel reveals. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=comic-con-2020-mattel-reveals-exclusive-collectibles&captions=true"] All of the exclusives revealed this week will be sold only on the official Mattel Creations Instagram page (@MattelCreations) and will go on sale Thursday, July 23 at 9am. Mattel previously revealed a Comic-Con-exclusive Jurassic Park figure we expect to be one of the most desirable toys of the summer. The Barbasol Dennis Nedry figure is an homage to one of the more iconic moments from the original movie. It features a Nedry figure encased inside a replica shaving cream container that even includes light-up effects and sound clips. In other recent collectibles reveals, Hasbro has launched a crowd-funding campaign for an enormous Marvel Legends Sentinel figure and debuted two pop culture-inspired Transformers figures, the Back to the Future-style Gigawatt and the Top Gun-style Maverick. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/15/sony-doubles-playstation-5-production-for-holiday-2020-ign-daily-fix"] [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.

While San Diego Comic-Con is an entirely digital event this year, plenty of companies are still offering up exclusive collectibles timed to Comic-Con@Home. That includes Mattel, which will be revealing several new geek-worthy toys in the days ahead. Mattel's Comic-Con exclusives include multiple deluxe Hot Wheels sets (one of which recreates an iconic moment from Avengers: Endgame) and a set of Halo Construx figurines with light-up packaging. Check out the slideshow gallery below for a closer look at all the toys revealed so far, and keep checking back all week as we update the gallery with new Mattel reveals. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=comic-con-2020-mattel-reveals-exclusive-collectibles&captions=true"] All of the exclusives revealed this week will be sold only on the official Mattel Creations Instagram page (@MattelCreations) and will go on sale Thursday, July 23 at 9am. Mattel previously revealed a Comic-Con-exclusive Jurassic Park figure we expect to be one of the most desirable toys of the summer. The Barbasol Dennis Nedry figure is an homage to one of the more iconic moments from the original movie. It features a Nedry figure encased inside a replica shaving cream container that even includes light-up effects and sound clips. In other recent collectibles reveals, Hasbro has launched a crowd-funding campaign for an enormous Marvel Legends Sentinel figure and debuted two pop culture-inspired Transformers figures, the Back to the Future-style Gigawatt and the Top Gun-style Maverick. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/15/sony-doubles-playstation-5-production-for-holiday-2020-ign-daily-fix"] [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.

With Star Wars: The Clone Wars recently ending its seven-season run, Lucasfilm is developing a new spinoff series called Star Wars: The Bad Batch. The new series will focus on the titular team previously introduced in the opening storyline from The Clone Wars: Season 7. Star Wars: The Bad Batch will premiere on Disney+ at some point in 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/18/star-wars-the-clone-wars-final-season-the-bad-batch-clip"] First appearing in the Season 7 premiere "The Bad Batch," these characters are a group of elite Clonetroopers who are more genetically unique than their clone brothers, allowing them to carry out unusually dangerous and challenging missions. This spinoff series will take place shortly after the end of the Clone Wars, with the quartet eking out a living as mercenaries and struggling to find a new purpose. “Giving new and existing fans the final chapter of ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ has been our honor at Disney+, and we are overjoyed by the global response to this landmark series,” said Disney+ SVP of Content Agnes Chu in a statement. “While the Clone Wars may have come to its conclusion, our partnership with the groundbreaking storytellers and artists at Lucasfilm Animation is only beginning. We are thrilled to bring Dave Filoni’s vision to life through the next adventures of the Bad Batch.” The series will be helmed by a number of Star Wars veterans, including executive producers Dave Filoni, Athena Portillo, Brad Rau and Jennifer Corbett, co-executive producer Carrie Beck and producer Josh Rimes. Rau will also serve as supervising director and Corbett will be head writer on the series. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-upcoming-star-wars-movie&captions=true"] While no voice actors were named in Lucasfilm's press release, it seems safe to assume Dee Bradley Baker will reprise his role as all five members of Bad Batch - Hunter, Crosshair, Tech, Wrecker and Echo. The time period also offers clues as to other iconic Star Wars characters who might appear, such as Ahsoka Tano, Captain Rex or a young Kanan Jarrus. The Bad Batch is just the latest Star Wars series announced for Disney+. Fans can also look forward to a Rogue One prequel series focused on Diego Luna's Cassian Andor, an Obi-Wan Kenobi series starring Ewan McGregor and a mysterious female-led series from Russian Doll's Leslye Headland. Meanwhile, several Clone Wars fan-favorites will be making their live-action debuts in The Mandalorian: Season 2, including Rosario Dawson playing Ahsoka Tano and Katee Sackhoff reprising her voice role, only now in live-action, as Bo-Katan Kryze. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/21/star-wars-the-clone-wars-season-7-premiere-review"] [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.

With Star Wars: The Clone Wars recently ending its seven-season run, Lucasfilm is developing a new spinoff series called Star Wars: The Bad Batch. The new series will focus on the titular team previously introduced in the opening storyline from The Clone Wars: Season 7. Star Wars: The Bad Batch will premiere on Disney+ at some point in 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/18/star-wars-the-clone-wars-final-season-the-bad-batch-clip"] First appearing in the Season 7 premiere "The Bad Batch," these characters are a group of elite Clonetroopers who are more genetically unique than their clone brothers, allowing them to carry out unusually dangerous and challenging missions. This spinoff series will take place shortly after the end of the Clone Wars, with the quartet eking out a living as mercenaries and struggling to find a new purpose. “Giving new and existing fans the final chapter of ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ has been our honor at Disney+, and we are overjoyed by the global response to this landmark series,” said Disney+ SVP of Content Agnes Chu in a statement. “While the Clone Wars may have come to its conclusion, our partnership with the groundbreaking storytellers and artists at Lucasfilm Animation is only beginning. We are thrilled to bring Dave Filoni’s vision to life through the next adventures of the Bad Batch.” The series will be helmed by a number of Star Wars veterans, including executive producers Dave Filoni, Athena Portillo, Brad Rau and Jennifer Corbett, co-executive producer Carrie Beck and producer Josh Rimes. Rau will also serve as supervising director and Corbett will be head writer on the series. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-upcoming-star-wars-movie&captions=true"] While no voice actors were named in Lucasfilm's press release, it seems safe to assume Dee Bradley Baker will reprise his role as all five members of Bad Batch - Hunter, Crosshair, Tech, Wrecker and Echo. The time period also offers clues as to other iconic Star Wars characters who might appear, such as Ahsoka Tano, Captain Rex or a young Kanan Jarrus. The Bad Batch is just the latest Star Wars series announced for Disney+. Fans can also look forward to a Rogue One prequel series focused on Diego Luna's Cassian Andor, an Obi-Wan Kenobi series starring Ewan McGregor and a mysterious female-led series from Russian Doll's Leslye Headland. Meanwhile, several Clone Wars fan-favorites will be making their live-action debuts in The Mandalorian: Season 2, including Rosario Dawson playing Ahsoka Tano and Katee Sackhoff reprising her voice role, only now in live-action, as Bo-Katan Kryze. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/21/star-wars-the-clone-wars-season-7-premiere-review"] [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.