After years of delay, The New Mutants is being released in North American theaters. Now, box office trackers are reporting that the horror-tinged X-Men film has earned $750,000 in Thursday night previews, and is tracking to a $7 to $10 million weekend. The New Mutants opened in 2,412 locations across North America. The preview night gross matches similar movies that have gone on to track between $7 to $10 million, which is decent considering both the long road The New Mutants took to finally reach theaters and the global pandemic affecting theater going. Based on the X-Men comic books of the same name, The New Mutants stars Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Charlie Heaton as mutants accepted into a sinister institution. Directed by Josh Boone, The New Mutants promises a unique spin on the X-Men formula by focusing more on horror-elements around a young adult cast. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/06/the-new-mutants-official-trailer-2"] You can expect to see IGN’s review soon on the site, which our reviewers screened in a socially distanced, drive-in experience. IGN serves a global audience, so we will be covering films that may be available theatrically in some countries but not others due to local COVID-19 restrictions. Read more on IGN's policy on movie reviews in light of COVID-19 here. IGN strongly encourages anyone considering going to a movie theater during the COVID-19 pandemic to check their local public health and safety guidelines before buying a ticket. If in doubt, stay home — keep yourself and others safe. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Time is the name of the game in Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, and a new feature revealed by developer Toys for Bob is bringing players all the way back in Crash and Coco's history to before the original trilogy. As revealed during Gamescom 2020, Crash 4 will feature tough, throwback levels that players can unlock via discoverable VHS tapes. Check out our interview with TFB's Lou Studdert for a first look at the gameplay from these levels and for more info on what to expect. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/28/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-offers-punishing-nitro-crate-filled-playgrounds-for-completionists"] In an homage to the Crash Bandicoot death run levels of yesteryear, players can only discover the VHS tapes in levels if they make it to them without dying. When playing these levels, players will have to navigate some particularly challenge test chambers because, well...they actually are tests. These levels are presented as VHS'es with Dr. Cortex's voiceover commenting on Crash and Coco's performance from experiments back before the events of the original Crash Bandicoot. These levels won't be the only new twist on the Crash Bandicoot formula coming in Crash 4 — villains like Dr. Neo Cortex and Dingodile will be playable, and a new N. Verted mode for Crash 4 offers a unique take on mirror mode and an extra incentive to replay its levels. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="legacyId=15399&captions=true"] Be sure to check out our Crash Bandicoot 4 hands-on preview for more on the upcoming sequel, and learn about the developer's stance for no microtransactions in Crash 4. And stay tuned to IGN's full gamescom 2020 schedule for reveals, gameplay, interviews, and more. And be sure to check out the gamescom 2020 highlights so far.

Time is the name of the game in Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, and a new feature revealed by developer Toys for Bob is bringing players all the way back in Crash and Coco's history to before the original trilogy. As revealed during Gamescom 2020, Crash 4 will feature tough, throwback levels that players can unlock via discoverable VHS tapes. Check out our interview with TFB's Lou Studdert for a first look at the gameplay from these levels and for more info on what to expect. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/28/crash-bandicoot-4-its-about-time-offers-punishing-nitro-crate-filled-playgrounds-for-completionists"] In an homage to the Crash Bandicoot death run levels of yesteryear, players can only discover the VHS tapes in levels if they make it to them without dying. When playing these levels, players will have to navigate some particularly challenge test chambers because, well...they actually are tests. These levels are presented as VHS'es with Dr. Cortex's voiceover commenting on Crash and Coco's performance from experiments back before the events of the original Crash Bandicoot. These levels won't be the only new twist on the Crash Bandicoot formula coming in Crash 4 — villains like Dr. Neo Cortex and Dingodile will be playable, and a new N. Verted mode for Crash 4 offers a unique take on mirror mode and an extra incentive to replay its levels. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="legacyId=15399&captions=true"] Be sure to check out our Crash Bandicoot 4 hands-on preview for more on the upcoming sequel, and learn about the developer's stance for no microtransactions in Crash 4. And stay tuned to IGN's full gamescom 2020 schedule for reveals, gameplay, interviews, and more. And be sure to check out the gamescom 2020 highlights so far.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt believes that video games are the future of storytelling, not movies. Gordon-Levitt was recently interviewed while eating extremely spicy wings on First We Feast's Hot Ones YouTube interview series. The 25-minute interview broached a number of topics but stayed close to what Gordon-Levitt is best known for: entertainment. When asked by Hot Ones host Sean Evans about storytelling in media, the actor said he sees video games as the future, as spotted by GameSpot. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/06/11/joseph-gordon-levitt-announces-hit-record-in-beyond-good-and-evil-2"] "The future of storytelling, it's going to be video games," Gordon-Levitt said. "I don't think it's going to be filmmakers who figure out how to do that. But (video games) feels like kind of the most groundbreaking storytelling." The actor continued and said the storytelling happening in video games is in a "whole different realm than anything we've seen before." It's what video games are doing differently in the realm of storytelling that makes Gordon-Levitt believe storytelling's future isn't necessary in the "feature film form." While Gordon-Levitt is best known for his work in the film industry, he's not a stranger to games. He's the founder of HitRECord, which is an open online community for creative collaboration, and it's this company that Gordon-Levitt has found himself associated with games like Beyond Good and Evil 2. He was, however, criticized by game developers for utilizing "spec work" in HitRECord's partnership with BG&E2 back in 2018. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=watch-dogs-legion-official-screenshots&captions=true"] HitRECord struck up another deal with Ubisoft to get music created for Watch Dogs: Legion, which was met with similar criticism. The actor has even lent his voice to a couple video games before, namely 2002's Treasure Planet: Battle at Procyon and 2009's G.I.: Rise of Cobra. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN who wishes Gordon-Levitt got to portray Batman after events of The Dark Knight Rises. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt believes that video games are the future of storytelling, not movies. Gordon-Levitt was recently interviewed while eating extremely spicy wings on First We Feast's Hot Ones YouTube interview series. The 25-minute interview broached a number of topics but stayed close to what Gordon-Levitt is best known for: entertainment. When asked by Hot Ones host Sean Evans about storytelling in media, the actor said he sees video games as the future, as spotted by GameSpot. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/06/11/joseph-gordon-levitt-announces-hit-record-in-beyond-good-and-evil-2"] "The future of storytelling, it's going to be video games," Gordon-Levitt said. "I don't think it's going to be filmmakers who figure out how to do that. But (video games) feels like kind of the most groundbreaking storytelling." The actor continued and said the storytelling happening in video games is in a "whole different realm than anything we've seen before." It's what video games are doing differently in the realm of storytelling that makes Gordon-Levitt believe storytelling's future isn't necessary in the "feature film form." While Gordon-Levitt is best known for his work in the film industry, he's not a stranger to games. He's the founder of HitRECord, which is an open online community for creative collaboration, and it's this company that Gordon-Levitt has found himself associated with games like Beyond Good and Evil 2. He was, however, criticized by game developers for utilizing "spec work" in HitRECord's partnership with BG&E2 back in 2018. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=watch-dogs-legion-official-screenshots&captions=true"] HitRECord struck up another deal with Ubisoft to get music created for Watch Dogs: Legion, which was met with similar criticism. The actor has even lent his voice to a couple video games before, namely 2002's Treasure Planet: Battle at Procyon and 2009's G.I.: Rise of Cobra. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN who wishes Gordon-Levitt got to portray Batman after events of The Dark Knight Rises. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.

Drake Hollow, the village-building action game, is available...today! Check out a new launch trailer for the game below, and prepare to jump in with Drake Hollow available on Xbox and PC starting today. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/28/raise-plant-monsters-build-a-base-and-defend-it-with-others-in-drake-hollow"] Following a preview weekend in June, and its reveal at E3 2019, Drake Hollow is now available after a previously planned July release. Players can team up with friends while protecting villages of vegetables, the titular Drakes, from evil beasts in The Hollow. For more on the developer, The Molasses Flood, be sure to read IGN's The Flame in the Flood review. And stay tuned to IGN for more from Gamescom 2020. There's much, much more to come from gamescom 2020 on IGN - check out our full gamescom schedule to find out what else is on the way. And be sure to check out the gamescom 2020 highlights so far. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Drake Hollow, the village-building action game, is available...today! Check out a new launch trailer for the game below, and prepare to jump in with Drake Hollow available on Xbox and PC starting today. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/28/raise-plant-monsters-build-a-base-and-defend-it-with-others-in-drake-hollow"] Following a preview weekend in June, and its reveal at E3 2019, Drake Hollow is now available after a previously planned July release. Players can team up with friends while protecting villages of vegetables, the titular Drakes, from evil beasts in The Hollow. For more on the developer, The Molasses Flood, be sure to read IGN's The Flame in the Flood review. And stay tuned to IGN for more from Gamescom 2020. There's much, much more to come from gamescom 2020 on IGN - check out our full gamescom schedule to find out what else is on the way. And be sure to check out the gamescom 2020 highlights so far. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Sea of Thieves is adding a shaggy new addition to your pirate crew in its September update. In a new state of Sea of Thieves video premiered during Gamescom 2020, developer Rare outlined some of the progress the open seas adventure game has made since its Steam launch, and what the developers have in store for next month. Chief among the new additions will be the inclusion of new dog companions that players can now have aboard their ships. And while these lovable companions can be pet, show affection, and generally appear as a cute friend, they're also inclined to, well, take care of business. So watch where you step. Additionally, a new permanent Voyage type is being added for Gold Hoarders, but more information about it will be coming closer to its launch. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/28/the-state-of-sea-of-thieves-next-year-will-be-the-biggest-one-yet"] As Rare looks ahead to monthly updates, executive producer Joe Neate said the team is looking to add new features, quality of life improvements, bug fixes, and a focus on live events, with the aim to "have something unique for players to do throughout the month and not just looking toward the next monthly update." Neate also looked at the game's recent Steam success, explaining that about 20-30 percent of the current player base is from that PC version, but enjoys cross-play with all others. With its arrival on Steam, Neate noted that players ask about other potential platforms, and he explained that "the most important thing is that any new players can play via Xbox Live with the rest of our community," when it comes to the team deciding on where to bring the game next. IGN's Sea of Thieves re-review this year praised the game's advancements since launch, saying "Sea of Thieves presents an endless sea of possibilities full of exciting encounters with other players and a never-ending list of fun things to do." IGN also spoke with the dev team earlier this year to look at how Rare successfully reinvented Sea of Thieves. Sea of Thieves is set to be optimized for Xbox Series X. There's much, much more to come from gamescom 2020 on IGN - check out our full gamescom schedule to find out what else is on the way. And be sure to check out the gamescom 2020 highlights so far. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Sea of Thieves is adding a shaggy new addition to your pirate crew in its September update. In a new state of Sea of Thieves video premiered during Gamescom 2020, developer Rare outlined some of the progress the open seas adventure game has made since its Steam launch, and what the developers have in store for next month. Chief among the new additions will be the inclusion of new dog companions that players can now have aboard their ships. And while these lovable companions can be pet, show affection, and generally appear as a cute friend, they're also inclined to, well, take care of business. So watch where you step. Additionally, a new permanent Voyage type is being added for Gold Hoarders, but more information about it will be coming closer to its launch. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/28/the-state-of-sea-of-thieves-next-year-will-be-the-biggest-one-yet"] As Rare looks ahead to monthly updates, executive producer Joe Neate said the team is looking to add new features, quality of life improvements, bug fixes, and a focus on live events, with the aim to "have something unique for players to do throughout the month and not just looking toward the next monthly update." Neate also looked at the game's recent Steam success, explaining that about 20-30 percent of the current player base is from that PC version, but enjoys cross-play with all others. With its arrival on Steam, Neate noted that players ask about other potential platforms, and he explained that "the most important thing is that any new players can play via Xbox Live with the rest of our community," when it comes to the team deciding on where to bring the game next. IGN's Sea of Thieves re-review this year praised the game's advancements since launch, saying "Sea of Thieves presents an endless sea of possibilities full of exciting encounters with other players and a never-ending list of fun things to do." IGN also spoke with the dev team earlier this year to look at how Rare successfully reinvented Sea of Thieves. Sea of Thieves is set to be optimized for Xbox Series X. There's much, much more to come from Gamescom 2020 on IGN - check out our full Gamescom schedule to find out what else is on the way. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Haak, the stylish Metroidvania from Blingame, will be released into Steam Early Access on September 16. Announced as part of Gamescom Studio, a new trailer showed off the game's frenetic combat, platforming inovations using the games energy hook item, and a little hint at how exploration will work. Check out the new gameplay below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/28/haak-is-a-fast-paced-2d-metroidvania-with-a-badass-cape-gameplay-trailer"] Haak is set in an apocalyptic wasteland, as the mysterious lead character seeks to learn what happened to the world around them, all while avoiding the clutches of the shadowy organisation on their tail. There's much, much more to come from gamescom 2020 on IGN - check out our full gamescom schedule to find out what else is on the way. And be sure to check out the gamescom 2020 highlights so far. [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.