Every good superhero needs a good superhero base, and that’s even more true for a superhero team — especially one that needs to be reassembled. And what better metaphorical place for Marvel’s Avengers’ titular team to rebuild than in the hull of a broken down helicarrier, which will itself be built up over the course of Avengers’ campaign. But the giant mobile home, known as the Chimera, will be a hub for players both in the campaign as well as when they venture into the War Zone post-game, which will continue the life of Marvel’s Avengers well past its launch with new locations, characters, and more. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-avengers-character-combat-breakdown&captions=true"] Given how key the helicarrier is to every player’s Avengers experience, and the Marvel's Avengers beta will only offer a brief introduction to it, Crystal Dynamics’ War Zone director Phil Therien dove into the inner workings of the helicarrier with us, offering us more detail on how players can expect it to progress, the role factions play in the Chimera, and more.

Reassembling the Avengers, Rebuilding the Helicarrier

Showcases for Marvel’s Avengers so far, including the A-Day demonstration from E3 2019 and the Thor gameplay from the recent War Table presentations, have shown plenty of helicarrier action in the upcoming adventure. And Therien offered a bit of context for how the Chimera’s journey fits into the campaign. “You see how things go poorly for the helicarrier early on in the story. You spend a good chunk of the campaign rebuilding it, and part of rebuilding the helicarrier is also rebuilding the Avengers,” he said. “As you're getting them back together and as you're finding technology that maybe Tony needs to do modifications, the helicarrier starts to get more functional. It will literally go from a broken husk that's missing its windshield and everything to having people on there, having the Faction members that rejoin, having services that get opened up. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/05/marvels-avengers-final-preview"] “The helicarrier really represents how the Avengers and the factions start to reglue together, with, obviously, Kamala being the principal catalyst for making all that happen.” Kamala is certainly the unexpected but clear hero of Marvel’s Avengers in a number of ways, as she endeavors across the campaign to reunite Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, and Hulk. That unification can uniquely be shown in tandem with the Chimera’s repairs, and it’s a progression Therien thinks players should experience, even if they’re primarily interested in playing multiplayer. As Therien explained to me, jumping into the War Zone content essentially puts you in a “post-game” state of Marvel’s Avengers world, which might rob you of some of the character context and connections you’ll form from playing the campaign. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-avengers-outfits&captions=true"] “I would encourage people to play through the campaign, even if they're still interested in just playing multiplayer,” he said, noting that “seeing all that get put together is such a great context for all the events that happen post-campaign. “Currently, all the changes that you'll see on the helicarrier are based off of campaign progression,” he noted. “You'll get the helicarrier in its fully functional state if you went straight to multiplayer, because all the facilities need to be open for it to be functional.”

A Full Crew

And as Therien alluded to, it won’t just be the Avengers calling the Chimera home. As demonstrated in the War Table, new Factions will set up shop and seek assistance from players, including S.H.I.E.L.D., Inhumans, and more. “[For example], you encounter some S.H.I.E.L.D. people. You'll help them out with a mission, and then you'll see those people show up on a helicarrier. Then, all of a sudden, there's a vendor that's available, and they're like, ‘Hey, we're rebuilding, and we've got all this gear that we're making for the Avengers.’” These new additions are where a lot of that added functionality comes from, and the way it’s all integrated speaks to Crystal Dynamics’ ethos of making the campaign and War Zone missions all part of one larger world. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/marvels-avengers-july-war-table-full-presentation"] “You're helping them rebuild, and there's some story built around that, so you'll understand, ‘Oh, what was Maria Hill up to when all this happened, and what is she trying to do now?’” We're starting that story, and in Warzones and post-campaign, we're going to keep building onto it, because the threats are going to keep escalating and the factions are going to have to step it up,” he said. And, naturally, there are some key gameplay incentives to invest in these various factions and their stories. “You're getting faction experience when you help them out. The factions give you access to some really good gear, and these vendors relocate in part on the helicarrier and in another space that we haven't talked about too much,” he noted. But more than anything, the Chimera HQ speaks to Crystal Dynamics’ ongoing storytelling approach. As Marvel’s Avengers plans to bring new characters, locations and more to its world post-launch, players will get quite familiar with their superhero home. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/marvels-avengers-thor-8-minute-gameplay-reveal"] “It's an exciting thing for us because it gives us this huge canvas that tells stories, which is such an unprecedented opportunity,” Therien said. “The idea that we can make a game that is made for telling Marvel stories that is ready to accommodate all these extras is just super cool. The factions will keep growing, and as the threats keep escalating, they'll keep getting more and more involved.” [poilib element="accentDivider"] For more on Marvel's Avengers ahead of its beta launch, learn about what to expect from upcoming post-launch characters, including Hawkeye and the PlayStation-exclusive Spider-Man. And be sure to check out our combat breakdown to learn how each of Marvel's Avengers' heroes plays. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor and host of Podcast Beyond! Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Capcom held a Street Fighter Summer Update livestream today where the developers announced four of the five new characters joining Street Fighter 5 in the upcoming Season 5 of content. The new Street Fighters include Dan, the long time Street Fighter mainstay who last appeared in Street Fighter 4; Rose, who was introduced in Street Fighter Alpha and also made her last appearance in Street Fighter 4; Oro, who hasn't been seen as a playable character in Street Fighter since his one appearance in Street Fighter 3; and Akira Kazama, who is jumping over to Street Fighter from Rival Schools, a 1997 3D fighting game for the PlayStation One. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=street-fighter-5-season-5-dlc-characters&captions=true"] The Street Fighter series is no stranger to having characters from other Capcom series crossover into it, but Akira is an interesting pick as she is the first character from Rival Schools to make an appearance in a Street Fighter game, outside of Sakura who originated as a Street Fighter character. No footage of Akira in Street Fighter 5 was shown, but Street Fighter 5 Director Takayuki Nakayama said: "The battles in Rival Schools have something unique about them that we also want to incorporate." Producer Shuhei Matsumoto added that they have some unique Rival Schools gimmicks planned as well. The only character that we did get an in-progress look at was Dan, who is as you'd expect: appropriately goofy. He still stumbles a bit when he tries to throw an opponent, his Gadoken still peters out after going just a short distance, and he of course still has his rolling taunts. Nakayama-san and Matsumoto-san also shared a Street Fighter 5 Season 5 roadmap that details the next year of content drops. Dan will release in Winter 2020 along with the Capcom Pro Tour 2021 stage, and an update that changes up the battle balance and adds a new battle mechanic. That substantial update will be followed by Rose in Spring 2021, then Oro and Akira in Summer 2021, and capped off with an unannounced character in Fall 2021, along with the next Capcom Pro Tour Stage and another change to the battle balance. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/18/street-fighter-v-champion-edition-announcement-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Mitchell Saltzman is an Editorial Producer at IGN who is a lifelong fan of fighting games and is very sad that Makoto is still not part of Street Fighter 5.

IGN Japan has reported on the reasoning behind Spider-Man’s appearance as an exclusive DLC character on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of Marvel’s Avengers, as explained by Crystal Dynamics studio head Scot Amos. The announcement of the upcoming addition of Spidey to the roster of heroes in 2021 was welcomed by PlayStation fans, but those who plan to play Marvel’s Avengers on other systems have been less enthused. “(The inclusion of) Spider-Man is a unique opportunity for us because of the relationship that PlayStation and Marvel have,” Amos told IGN Japan. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/05/avengers-spider-man-exclusivity-is-good-for-playstation-bad-for-players-opinion"] Peter Parker’s alter-ego starred in Marvel’s Spider-Man, which was exclusive to PS4, and developer Insomniac Games is currently working on a followup centered on Miles Morales for PS5. The studio was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2019 as a first-party developer. The wider Sony group has other links with the character, with Sony Pictures Entertainment currently owning the rights to the character in movie form, though as far is currently known the rest of the character's rights — comics and games among them — rest with Marvel. This close relationship, though, meant that it was an obvious decision to include the web-slinger in the PS4 and PS5 iterations of the forthcoming game. However, Amos clarified, “That is the only character that we are doing that way,” confirming that no other characters are planned to become platform exclusives. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-avengers-character-combat-breakdown&captions=true"] Marvel’s Avengers is an online co-op game available on multiple platforms, which of course makes it seem well suited to cross-play, but at this stage no such functionality has been announced. IGN Japan asked whether cross-play is a consideration eventually, and if so, how would a platform-exclusive character like Spider-Man work in that context. “For cross-play, we have no announcements at the moment,” said Amos. “But the beauty of this game is that we're going to be adding on to it for years, so it’s one of those things that we have our eye on for what the future could be.” Spider-Man is arguably Marvel’s most iconic character, so it is understandable that players on other platforms may be upset by the PlayStation exclusivity. When asked how Xbox and PC gamers who want to play as Spider-Man should feel, Amos replied, “I would say that Marvel’s Avengers has a lot of heroes, and with the scope and the breadth of this game and this universe, players are going to have their hands full with a lot to play with. And as we have just announced with Hawkeye, there are more heroes to come. So this is an opportunity to celebrate (Spider-Man’s addition) uniquely for those players (on PlayStation) because of that relationship, but I think there’s so much of a world for people to explore, I wouldn’t look as that as a reason not to embrace it (the opportunity to add Spider-Man on PS4 and PS5). I would say, look at all this stuff you get to play with.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/05/marvels-avengers-final-preview"] “And for those players who absolutely want to play as Spider-Man, you have the option to do so on PlayStation.” Regarding Spider-Man, Creative Director Shaun Escayg told IGN Japan, “It's going to be our version of Spider-Man, inspired by our world and integrated into our story.” In other words, players should expect the character to be somewhat different than Insomniac’s version. The first character to be added to the game post-launch is Hawkeye, who will be made available for free on all platforms. Escayg told IGN Japan a little about Crystal Dynamics’ interpretation of the character. “This is Clint Barton’s Hawkeye, and we will have a complete original story arc inspired by the best of Hawkeye moments from the comics. You will be able to wield Clint’s iconic bow and trick arrows in missions either solo or online with your friends. And that story will continue to move the wider narrative along.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/29/hawkeye-reveal-trailer-for-marvels-avengers-4k"] It has been previously stated that the team was inspired by Matt Fraction and David Aja's comic series Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon, and this story has been folded in to an original scenario to reintroduce Hawkeye to the wider cast of characters in the game. (And we recently spotted an Easter Egg that suggests Kate Bishop could appear in Marvel's Avengers.) In Fraction and Aja’s series, Barton wears a hearing aid, and eagle-eyed fans have noticed from the announcement trailer that the in-game version does too. “As far as releasing Hawkeye soon after launch, we knew from the beginning that people would be missing him,” Amos told IGN Japan. “We already knew narratively that we wanted to have Hawkeye as a mystery, so when he come, there’s a whole story of where has he been and what has he been up to that will actually open even more stories in the Avengers Initiative.” Marvel’s Avengers is due for release on PS4, Xbox One and PC on September 4. Those who have preordered the game on PS4 can participate in a beta test that runs August 7-9, with further beta tests planned for the following two weekends to include other platforms. You can read IGN's thoughts on the Avengers beta. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Blizzard will hold a virtual version of BlizzCon in early 2021. As reported by GamesIndustry.Biz, Blizzard president J. Allen Brack noted during Activision Blizzard's earnings call this week that a virtual version of the show would take place during "the early part" of 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/01/overwatch-2-announcement-trailer"] The digital showcase will be "channelling the spirit of BlizzCon" in the absence of a physical show. "We're looking forward to sharing what the teams have been working on for that event," Brack added. Blizzard announced in May of this year that it had come to "the very difficult decision" to cancel BlizzCon 2020 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, it was announced that an online version of the event would take place in 2021, meaning this will be the first November without a BlizzCon since 2012. The announcement of "early 2021" suggests it won't be too long of a delay, though. Recent BlizzCon events have used a virtual ticket system to offer fans who are watching the show from home the ability to engage with the show, with unique cosmetics given out to those who pick up the ticket. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=diablo-4-gameplay-reveal-images&captions=true"] In this case, it looks like everyone will be watching BlizzCon 2021's panels and reveals without actually being present in Anaheim. The company has plenty of irons in the fire, what with Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 on the horizon, so we can expect news about these games when the event rolls around in early 2021. In other Blizzard news, here are some details about Diablo 4's open-world side activities, multiplayer and cutscenes. If you're more interested in Overwatch 2, here's everything we know so far about the sequel to the coveted hero shooter. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Logitech has unveiled a new racing peripheral set: the Logitech G923 Racing Wheel and Pedals. The wheel has one name but will come in two versions: one for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X, and one for PC, PlayStation 4, and also PlayStation 5 (subject to final Sony product approval). Logitech has previously sold console-specific wheels as different models with the PC/PS4 G29 and the PC/Xbox One G920 (although they were already largely identical aside from a few additional buttons and an array of rev LEDs on the G29). The new G923 features what Logitech describes as a “new high-definition force feedback system that dials into a game’s physics and audio engine to deliver an ultra-realistic experience.” The company has dubbed the proprietary technology ‘Trueforce’. Logitech explains the wheel “connects directly to in-game engines, processing at up to 4000 times per second” using actual game physics and audio in real time. The caveat for now is that this is only in supported games. So far only Gran Turismo Sport, Assetto Corsa Competizione, and 2019’s Grid support Trueforce at the moment, according to the wheel’s new product page. The wheel and pedal set will also feature programmable dual clutch launch controls, an improved brake pedal with a new progressive spring, rev lights, a 24-point selection dial. [caption id="attachment_2388704" align="aligncenter" width="4535"] Key features of the G923 wheel and pedal set.[/caption] “For the last few years, we’ve been working with sim drivers, and professional race car drivers to develop a full-featured, realistic driving experience like no other,” said Logitech GM Ujesh Desai in a statement alongside the announcement. “With Trueforce you really get to feel the road, along with all the subtle features of the race car.” The Logitech G923 Racing Wheel and Pedals will be available this month for USD$400/AUD$800. IGN has just been supplied a G923 and will return with impressions in the coming days. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/26/assetto-corsa-competizione-review"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Luke is Games Editor at IGN's Sydney office. You can find him on Twitter sporadically @MrLukeReilly.

Nintendo released a surprise update for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The version 8.1.0 update includes a free new stage, Small Battlefield. As the name suggests, Small Battlefield takes on the same look as Battlefield, a staple stage in the Super Smash Bros. franchise. However, instead of the classic tri-platform look, Small Battlefield ditches the top platform to give the stage a fresh look.

A Super #SmashBrosUltimate update, Ver. 8.1.0, is available now! This update includes a new stage, Small Battlefield. Plus, you’ll now be able to select from all music tracks when playing on Final Destination and Battlefield stages! pic.twitter.com/eqo3Hu7Ije

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) August 5, 2020

The update also comes with a redesign for the stage selection screen. Nintendo has added new icons for random Battlefield and random Final Destination matches. Players can also choose any song they want from any series on Battlefield, Big and Small Battlefield, and Final Destination. Take a look at some images from the new stage and redesigned menu: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=super-smash-bros-ultimate-small-battlefield-screenshots&captions=true"] This update also tweaks the online experience in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Elite Smash, a mode you can only access with a high Global Smash Power score, has been adjusted to allow more players into the game type. The update also fixed issues with gameplay. The last update for Smash Ultimate was released on June 29, when Min Min from Arms joined the fight as the first DLC character from Fighters Pass 2. We do not yet know the next fighter planned for the pass. For more, read about when you can expect the next Smash Bros. amiibo to hit store shelves. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/30/super-smash-bros-ultimate-9-minutes-of-min-min-online-gameplay"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Logan Plant is a news writer for IGN, and the Production Assistant for Nintendo Voice Chat, IGN's weekly Nintendo show. You can find him on Twitter at @LoganJPlant.

Seth Rogen's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot will attempt to hone in on the teenage element of the characters. Pararmount and Nickelodeon announced a CG animated TMNT movie reboot last month and Rogen, who is producing, recently told Collider that the movie will use the "teenage" aspect as a "jumping off point." He said the movie will make sure to hone in on that element but that it won't disregard the mutant ninja turtles part. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtle-movie-tv-series-and-game&captions=true"] "As a lifelong fan of Ninja Turtles, weirdly the 'Teenage' part of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was always the part that stuck out to me the most, and as someone who loves teenage movies, and who's made a lot of teenage movies, and who literally got their start in their entire profession by writing a teenage movie, the idea of kind of honing in on that element was really exciting to us," Rogen said. "I mean, not disregarding the rest, but really using that as a kind of jumping off point for the film." Rogen will produce the film with Evan Goldberg and James Weaver under their Point Grey Pictures umbrella alongside Nickelodeon Animation Studio. This will be the latter's first-ever CG theatrical production. Paramount Pictures will distribute the movie. This reboot will be directed by Jeff Rowe (Gravity Falls, Connected, Disenchantment) and written by Brendan O'Brian (Neighbors, Sorority Rising, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/04/01/batman-vs-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-review"] Catch up on the turtle crew by reading about every Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie, TV series and game that's been made and then check out our thoughts on Rogen's latest movie in our An American Pickle review. And if you're clamoring for more TMNT now, check out the IDW comic book series. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow me on Twitter @LeBlancWes. 

Seth Rogen's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot will attempt to hone in on the teenage element of the characters. Pararmount and Nickelodeon announced a CG animated TMNT movie reboot last month and Rogen, who is producing, recently told Collider that the movie will use the "teenage" aspect as a "jumping off point." He said the movie will make sure to hone in on that element but that it won't disregard the mutant ninja turtles part. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtle-movie-tv-series-and-game&captions=true"] "As a lifelong fan of Ninja Turtles, weirdly the 'Teenage' part of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was always the part that stuck out to me the most, and as someone who loves teenage movies, and who's made a lot of teenage movies, and who literally got their start in their entire profession by writing a teenage movie, the idea of kind of honing in on that element was really exciting to us," Rogen said. "I mean, not disregarding the rest, but really using that as a kind of jumping off point for the film." Rogen will produce the film with Evan Goldberg and James Weaver under their Point Grey Pictures umbrella alongside Nickelodeon Animation Studio. This will be the latter's first-ever CG theatrical production. Paramount Pictures will distribute the movie. This reboot will be directed by Jeff Rowe (Gravity Falls, Connected, Disenchantment) and written by Brendan O'Brian (Neighbors, Sorority Rising, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/04/01/batman-vs-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-review"] Catch up on the turtle crew by reading about every Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie, TV series and game that's been made and then check out our thoughts on Rogen's latest movie in our An American Pickle review. And if you're clamoring for more TMNT now, check out the IDW comic book series. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow me on Twitter @LeBlancWes. 

In a call with investors, Activision revealed that this year’s Call of Duty game from Treyarch and Raven Software is still in development, with Activision devs testing the game internally. The company also says news about the next annual Call of Duty title should be revealed “soon.” In the Q1 2020 financial briefing, Activision confirmed that a new mainline Call of Duty game is still in development. “The game looks incredible right now and, internally, people are having a ton of fun playing across its campaign mode as well as the online mode the developers are very well known for.” Activision added, “All I can say in terms of timing [of an announcement] is I suspect you’ll be hearing more about this fairly soon.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-call-of-duty-review&captions=true"] Activision previously confirmed a new Call of Duty would arrive in 2020 but did not yet reveal the developer. Not only is it confirmed that Treyarch and Raven — two studios in a roster of dev teams that work on Call of Duty games — are developing the new Call of Duty shooter. But it will also have a campaign mode alongside multiplayer. It’s been months of silence on a new Call of Duty. Meanwhile, Call of Duty Warzone has seen tremendous success, reaching 75 million players, and adding more players outside of a Call of Duty launch window than any previous game in the series. But as for a new Call of Duty title in 2020, all Activision says is to sit tight for an announcement. Coincidentally, there is a PlayStation State of Play scheduled for later this week. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

In a call with investors, Activision revealed that this year’s Call of Duty game from Treyarch and Raven Software is still in development, with Activision devs testing the game internally. The company also says news about the next annual Call of Duty title should be revealed “soon.” In the Q1 2020 financial briefing, Activision confirmed that a new mainline Call of Duty game is still in development. “The game looks incredible right now and, internally, people are having a ton of fun playing across its campaign mode as well as the online mode the developers are very well known for.” Activision added, “All I can say in terms of timing [of an announcement] is I suspect you’ll be hearing more about this fairly soon.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-call-of-duty-review&captions=true"] Activision previously confirmed a new Call of Duty would arrive in 2020 but did not yet reveal the developer. Not only is it confirmed that Treyarch and Raven — two studios in a roster of dev teams that work on Call of Duty games — are developing the new Call of Duty shooter. But it will also have a campaign mode alongside multiplayer. It’s been months of silence on a new Call of Duty. Meanwhile, Call of Duty Warzone has seen tremendous success, reaching 75 million players, and adding more players outside of a Call of Duty launch window than any previous game in the series. But as for a new Call of Duty title in 2020, all Activision says is to sit tight for an announcement. Coincidentally, there is a PlayStation State of Play scheduled for later this week. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.