Google has just announced its first Android powered streaming dongle, the Chromecast with Google TV, and it's available today for $49.99 USD in three colors - Snow, Sunrise, and Sky. Unlike previous Chromecasts designed to just stream video and music selected from your phone, the new Chromecast with Google TV is standalone device running Android 10 and it comes complete with a remote control with Google Assistant and dedicated YouTube and Netflix buttons. It keeps its small design and brings 4K HDR at up to 60 frames per second to your TV alongside Dolby Vision and HDMI pass-through of Dolby audio content. Every new Chromecast comes with Google TV, a new tailored TV experience that brings "together movies, shows, live TV, and more from across your apps and subscriptions and organizes them just for you. Google TV's Watchlist lets you bookmark movies and shows your want to watch later, and it can even be added to Google Search on your phone or laptop. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=google-launch-night-in-event&captions=true"] Live TV integration is also available with a YouTube TV membership, which includes more than 85 channels, a DVR with unlimited storage space and more." Chromecast with Google TV will be available in more countries by the end of the year, and in 2021, Google TV will be available on televisions from Sony and other Android OS partners. [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.

Netflix has added another iconic character to its library. The streamer is developing a new series based on Robert E. Howard's Conan stories. As reported by Deadline, the new series is part of a larger arrangement between Netflix and Conan Properties International, giving Netflix exclusive rights to adapt Howard's iconic Conan tales in both live-action and animated form. The Conan series will be executive produced by Fredrik Malmberg and Mark Wheeler through their production company Pathfinder Media. Deadline notes Netflix is currently on the hunt for writers and directors, so the project appears to be in its early stages. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/05/29/conan-unconquered-launch-trailer"] Conan has been adapted in both live-action and animated forms several times over the years. Arnold Schwarzenegger famously had his breakout role starring in 1982's Conan the Barbarian and reprised the role for 1984's Conan the Destroyer. Conan was more recently rebooted in 2011's Jason Momoa-led Conan the Barbarian. The franchise has also spawned three TV series to date - the animated series Conan the Adventurer and Conan and the Young Warriors and a short-lived live-action series also called Conan the Adventurer. A third live-action movie called The Legend of Conan has been trapped in development hell for years. The film is a direct sequel to 1982's Conan the Barbarian and inspired by Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, with Schwarzenegger reprising his role and playing a much older and more battle-weary Conan who now rules over the kingdom of Aquilonia. It's unclear if Netflix might resurrect that project in a new form, or if the new series might be tied to the earlier Schwarzenegger films. Based on the terms of Netflix's new deal, there's no reason we couldn't see multiple incarnations of Conan on the service. Back in 2018, it was reported Amazon was developing its own Conan series, but it appears that the project is now dead. Amazon is instead betting big on its Lord of the Rings prequel series, which recently resumed filming in New Zealand after a months-long, pandemic-induced shutdown. Conan has lately been enjoying a resurgence at Marvel Comics, with the comic publishing rights returning to Marvel after a 15-year stint at Dark Horse Comics. Conan and the Hyborian Age mythology have been integrated into the larger Marvel Universe, and Conan has even joined the Avengers. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-action-movies-on-netflix-right-now&captions=true"] Are you excited about Netflix's Conan series? Would you rather see a continuation of the Schwarzenegger movies or a reboot? Let us know in the comments below. [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.

Netflix has added another iconic character to its library. The streamer is developing a new series based on Robert E. Howard's Conan stories. As reported by Deadline, the new series is part of a larger arrangement between Netflix and Conan Properties International, giving Netflix exclusive rights to adapt Howard's iconic Conan tales in both live-action and animated form. The Conan series will be executive produced by Fredrik Malmberg and Mark Wheeler through their production company Pathfinder Media. Deadline notes Netflix is currently on the hunt for writers and directors, so the project appears to be in its early stages. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/05/29/conan-unconquered-launch-trailer"] Conan has been adapted in both live-action and animated forms several times over the years. Arnold Schwarzenegger famously had his breakout role starring in 1982's Conan the Barbarian and reprised the role for 1984's Conan the Destroyer. Conan was more recently rebooted in 2011's Jason Momoa-led Conan the Barbarian. The franchise has also spawned three TV series to date - the animated series Conan the Adventurer and Conan and the Young Warriors and a short-lived live-action series also called Conan the Adventurer. A third live-action movie called The Legend of Conan has been trapped in development hell for years. The film is a direct sequel to 1982's Conan the Barbarian and inspired by Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, with Schwarzenegger reprising his role and playing a much older and more battle-weary Conan who now rules over the kingdom of Aquilonia. It's unclear if Netflix might resurrect that project in a new form, or if the new series might be tied to the earlier Schwarzenegger films. Based on the terms of Netflix's new deal, there's no reason we couldn't see multiple incarnations of Conan on the service. Back in 2018, it was reported Amazon was developing its own Conan series, but it appears that the project is now dead. Amazon is instead betting big on its Lord of the Rings prequel series, which recently resumed filming in New Zealand after a months-long, pandemic-induced shutdown. Conan has lately been enjoying a resurgence at Marvel Comics, with the comic publishing rights returning to Marvel after a 15-year stint at Dark Horse Comics. Conan and the Hyborian Age mythology have been integrated into the larger Marvel Universe, and Conan has even joined the Avengers. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-action-movies-on-netflix-right-now&captions=true"] Are you excited about Netflix's Conan series? Would you rather see a continuation of the Schwarzenegger movies or a reboot? Let us know in the comments below. [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.

Update: Insomniac creative director Bryan Intihar has issued a statement regarding the decision to recast the face model for Peter Parker in Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered. Intihar shared how the decision to recast the model for Peter Parker's face in the upcoming PS5 remaster was not a decision the studio made lightly. However, Intihar says that "finding a better facial match for actor Yuri Lowenthal" was "a necessity." You can read the full statement below.

A few words from me on today’s news... pic.twitter.com/PpdWVuw4Mm

— Bryan Intihar (@bryanintihar) September 30, 2020

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Original Story: As part of the Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales Ultimate edition, Insomniac will pack in a code for a PS5 remaster of its 2018 Marvel’s Spider-Man game. Today, the developers shared what players can expect from a next-gen remaster of Spider-Man including new visuals, features, and even a new face for Peter Parker. In a new PlayStation Blog post, Insomniac revealed that the next-gen, PS5 remaster for Spider-Man will look better than ever thanks to technology like ray-tracing. The environments will be more detailed, and Spider-Man will even have ray-traced reflections and ambient shadows. Insomniac says character models will also get a boost with higher fidelity skin, eye, and teeth shaders. But one really big change coming to the Spider-Man PS5 remaster is that Insomniac recast the facial capture model for Peter Parker. You can check out a clip of the new Peter Parker face model in the video below. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/30/marvels-spider-man-remastered-ps5-new-peter-parker"] “We loved working with John Bubniak on the original game; however, to get a better match to Peter Parker/Spider-Man actor Yuri Lowenthal’s facial capture, we have cast Ben Jordan to be the face model for Peter Parker on the PS5 console,” Insomniac says in its blog post. Some online have said the new face actor appears younger and shares a certain likeness to another Peter Parker in a more cinematic universe. But on Twitter, Insomniac’s James Stevenson confirmed that the new actor is older than Peter Parker’s in-game age (Jordan is 26 in real life) and that the original PS4 version will not be patched to incorporate the new actor. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/30/marvels-spider-man-remastered-60fps-performance-mode"] Other features confirmed for Spider-Man Remastered are a new performance mode that targets 60fps on PS5, near-instant loading with the option to turn on the funny fast-travel animations if desired, Spatial 3D audio, and haptic feedback on the DualSense controller. The new photo mode in Miles Morales will also be available in Spider-Man Remastered. Finally, Insomniac revealed a new Spidey suit and it’s the one Andrew Garfield wore in The Amazing Spider-Man film series. [caption id="attachment_2414549" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Source: Sony Interactive Entertainment/Insomniac Games[/caption] Check out IGN’s Spider-Man Miles Morales preorder guide to check out how to get the Ultimate Edition, which comes with Spider-Man Remastered. Also, check out our original Spider-Man review. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has revealed its take on the returning Zombies mode - a new story set alongside existing Zombies canon, featuring cross-generation, cross-platform play, Battle Pass integration, and more. The new Zombies map is titled Die Maschine, a location with "more than a nod to 'Nacht der Untoten' – the map that started it all". Taking place in the early '80s, the four player co-op mode stars Grigori Weaver (returning from the original Black Ops) leading a CIA-backed team called Requiem as they explore an abandoned World War 2 bunker. The mode will also feature a rival Soviet sqaud called Omega Group that aims to study and harness the supernatural phenomena in the area. "Between Requiem and Omega Group," reads a blog post, "there are plenty of characters who may aid or hinder your journey, while others have separate, unknown agendas that will be up to players to discover. Among this cast, there is one particular contact – Sam – who seems eager to share intel discovered from deep within the KGB." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=call-of-duty-black-ops-cold-war-zombies-screenshots&captions=true"] For the first time ever, Zombies will be available as a cross-platform mode, and will also work across generations, meaning all online players can play together, regardless of the machine they're using. Zombies will also now contribute to the Call of Duty Battle Pass, just as Mutliplayer and Warzone currently both contribute to it. You can also bring your chosen loadout into the mode. The mode will also add new tactical features as you play. This includes adding weapon rarities, field upgradfes (which are charged by killing zombies, and can be deployed to provide buffs, healing, and more), lethal, tactical, and support equipment (the latter including turrets and chopper gunners), and no-limit perks. There's also a new Exfil option, which allows a squad that's sure it won't survive to escape via helicopter in return for some rewards (but will send hordes your way as you wait for extraction). As we approach its November 13 launch, we've so far heard about Black Ops Cold War's Zombies, the game's new campaign, and played its multiplayer. That leaves Warzone yet to hear about, but we know it will be integrated into the new game. [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.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has revealed its take on the returning Zombies mode - a new story set alongside existing Zombies canon, featuring cross-generation, cross-platform play, Battle Pass integration, and more. The new Zombies map is titled Die Maschine, a location with "more than a nod to 'Nacht der Untoten' – the map that started it all". Taking place in the early '80s, the four player co-op mode stars Grigori Weaver (returning from the original Black Ops) leading a CIA-backed team called Requiem as they explore an abandoned World War 2 bunker. The mode will also feature a rival Soviet sqaud called Omega Group that aims to study and harness the supernatural phenomena in the area. "Between Requiem and Omega Group," reads a blog post, "there are plenty of characters who may aid or hinder your journey, while others have separate, unknown agendas that will be up to players to discover. Among this cast, there is one particular contact – Sam – who seems eager to share intel discovered from deep within the KGB." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=call-of-duty-black-ops-cold-war-zombies-screenshots&captions=true"] For the first time ever, Zombies will be available as a cross-platform mode, and will also work across generations, meaning all online players can play together, regardless of the machine they're using. Zombies will also now contribute to the Call of Duty Battle Pass, just as Mutliplayer and Warzone currently both contribute to it. You can also bring your chosen loadout into the mode. The mode will also add new tactical features as you play. This includes adding weapon rarities, field upgradfes (which are charged by killing zombies, and can be deployed to provide buffs, healing, and more), lethal, tactical, and support equipment (the latter including turrets and chopper gunners), and no-limit perks. There's also a new Exfil option, which allows a squad that's sure it won't survive to escape via helicopter in return for some rewards (but will send hordes your way as you wait for extraction). As we approach its November 13 launch, we've so far heard about Black Ops Cold War's Zombies, the game's new campaign, and played its multiplayer. That leaves Warzone yet to hear about, but we know it will be integrated into the new game. [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.

Need for Speed: Payback and Vampyr have been announced as PlayStation Plus' free games for October 2020. From Tuesday, October 6 until Monday, November 2, you'll be able to pick up the racing game and Dontnod's RPG vampire-'em-up for free as part of your PS Plus subscription.

Need for Speed: Payback and Vampyr are your PS Plus games for October: https://t.co/kKNMxUDkCL pic.twitter.com/K1Kutlws67

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 30, 2020

Need for Speed: Payback is the more underwhelming of the two offerings - in our 5.9 review we called it "a big, competent, and confident arcade racer but it’s really let down by its linear cop chases, its overwrought and insidious upgrade system, its dreadful dialogue, and its superficial action sequences." Vampyr is a step up, however. In a 7/10 review, we called Dontnod's narrative-focused experience "a slow burn of an RPG, taking its time to ramp up its intriguing blend of science and the supernatural in an elaborately gloomy version of London." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/06/04/vampyr-review"] Last month's games, PUBG and Street Fighter 5, will remain available for free to PS Plus members until October 5, so make sure to claim them in time. [poilib element="accentDivider"][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.  

Need for Speed: Payback and Vampyr have been announced as PlayStation Plus' free games for October 2020. From Tuesday, October 6 until Monday, November 2, you'll be able to pick up the racing game and Dontnod's RPG vampire-'em-up for free as part of your PS Plus subscription.

Need for Speed: Payback and Vampyr are your PS Plus games for October: https://t.co/kKNMxUDkCL pic.twitter.com/K1Kutlws67

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 30, 2020

Need for Speed: Payback is the more underwhelming of the two offerings - in our 5.9 review we called it "a big, competent, and confident arcade racer but it’s really let down by its linear cop chases, its overwrought and insidious upgrade system, its dreadful dialogue, and its superficial action sequences." Vampyr is a step up, however. In a 7/10 review, we called Dontnod's narrative-focused experience "a slow burn of an RPG, taking its time to ramp up its intriguing blend of science and the supernatural in an elaborately gloomy version of London." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/06/04/vampyr-review"] Last month's games, PUBG and Street Fighter 5, will remain available for free to PS Plus members until October 5, so make sure to claim them in time. [poilib element="accentDivider"][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.  

The IGN First for September is Immortals Fenyx Rising, and throughout the month we’ve published a heap of new and exclusive gameplay details, footage, and interviews. It’s the most in-depth look at the game we’ve had so far, and if you’re curious about Ubisoft Quebec’s new mythical open-world, there’s no better place to learn about it than here. Read on to check out all of our IGN First coverage of Immortals Fenyx Rising, which will prepare you ahead of its launch on both current and next-generation consoles, as well as PC, Stadia, and Nintendo Switch, this December.

From Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to Gods & Monsters to Immortals Fenyx Rising

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/15/how-ac-odyssey-became-gods-monsters-and-finally-immortals-fenyx-rising"] Immortals Fenyx Rising is the game formerly known as Gods & Monsters, which Ubisoft first announced at E3 2019. Originally set to be released in February 2020, it was delayed for several months, and in that time it has become Immortals Fenyx Rising. We chatted to game director Scott Phillips to learn more about how the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey team took their love of Greek mythology and turned it into this new game, and why the name changed along the way.

Inside the Vaults of Tartaros

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/17/inside-immortals-fenyx-risings-vaults-of-tartaros-ign-first"] The world of Immortals Fenyx Rising is littered with puzzles. Many of these are hidden beneath the surface of the land, in pockets of the Greek underworld known as the Vaults of Tartaros. We spoke to associate game director Julien Galloudec to learn about how the team was influenced by Zelda, World of Goo, and Portal while making these puzzle dungeons.

A Tour of the Golden Isle

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/21/immortals-fenyx-rising-a-tour-of-the-golden-isle-ign-first"] The world of Immortals is known as the Golden Isle, and is split into seven regions, each dedicated to one of the gods of the Greek pantheon. Game director Scott Phillips and art director Thierry Dansereau gave us some insight into how the team designed and built these areas, and what players can expect to do in them, as part of a tour of the Golden Isle.

Meet Zeus and Prometheus

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/23/immortals-fenyx-rising-meet-zeus-and-prometheus-ign-first"] While Fenyx is Immortals’ main character, they’re not the one who’ll be doing the most talking in the game. That honour belongs to Zeus and Prometheus, a bickering odd couple who commentate your gameplay like godly shoutcasters. We spoke to narrative director Jeffrey Yohalemto learn more about the game’s narrators, and how they bring comedy to the story.

The Mythological Creatures of Immortals Fenyx Rising

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/25/the-mythological-creatures-of-immortals-fenyx-rising-ign-first"] Fenyx's enemies are all pulled from the ancient Greek myths. You can expect to see plenty of harpies, gorgons, and minotaurs on your travels around the Golden Isle. To learn more, we spoke to game director Scott Phillips and art director Thierry Dansereau about how the creatures were adapted from the myths, and what kind of gameplay challenges they pose players.

Exclusive Hands-On Preview

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/28/immortals-fenyx-rising-2nd-hands-on-preview-ign-first"] When Immortals Fenyx Rising was re-revealed with its new name at Ubisoft Forward, we were able to bring you a hands-on preview of The Forgelands region of its open world. But, as part of IGN First, we’ve also been able to play an exclusive section of the game that no other press outlet has been able to try. You can learn about what we played in the Aphrodite zone of the Golden Isle in our exclusive hands-on preview. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

The IGN First for September is Immortals Fenyx Rising, and throughout the month we’ve published a heap of new and exclusive gameplay details, footage, and interviews. It’s the most in-depth look at the game we’ve had so far, and if you’re curious about Ubisoft Quebec’s new mythical open-world, there’s no better place to learn about it than here. Read on to check out all of our IGN First coverage of Immortals Fenyx Rising, which will prepare you ahead of its launch on both current and next-generation consoles, as well as PC, Stadia, and Nintendo Switch, this December.

From Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to Gods & Monsters to Immortals Fenyx Rising

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/15/how-ac-odyssey-became-gods-monsters-and-finally-immortals-fenyx-rising"] Immortals Fenyx Rising is the game formerly known as Gods & Monsters, which Ubisoft first announced at E3 2019. Originally set to be released in February 2020, it was delayed for several months, and in that time it has become Immortals Fenyx Rising. We chatted to game director Scott Phillips to learn more about how the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey team took their love of Greek mythology and turned it into this new game, and why the name changed along the way.

Inside the Vaults of Tartaros

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/17/inside-immortals-fenyx-risings-vaults-of-tartaros-ign-first"] The world of Immortals Fenyx Rising is littered with puzzles. Many of these are hidden beneath the surface of the land, in pockets of the Greek underworld known as the Vaults of Tartaros. We spoke to associate game director Julien Galloudec to learn about how the team was influenced by Zelda, World of Goo, and Portal while making these puzzle dungeons.

A Tour of the Golden Isle

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/21/immortals-fenyx-rising-a-tour-of-the-golden-isle-ign-first"] The world of Immortals is known as the Golden Isle, and is split into seven regions, each dedicated to one of the gods of the Greek pantheon. Game director Scott Phillips and art director Thierry Dansereau gave us some insight into how the team designed and built these areas, and what players can expect to do in them, as part of a tour of the Golden Isle.

Meet Zeus and Prometheus

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/23/immortals-fenyx-rising-meet-zeus-and-prometheus-ign-first"] While Fenyx is Immortals’ main character, they’re not the one who’ll be doing the most talking in the game. That honour belongs to Zeus and Prometheus, a bickering odd couple who commentate your gameplay like godly shoutcasters. We spoke to narrative director Jeffrey Yohalemto learn more about the game’s narrators, and how they bring comedy to the story.

The Mythological Creatures of Immortals Fenyx Rising

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/25/the-mythological-creatures-of-immortals-fenyx-rising-ign-first"] Fenyx's enemies are all pulled from the ancient Greek myths. You can expect to see plenty of harpies, gorgons, and minotaurs on your travels around the Golden Isle. To learn more, we spoke to game director Scott Phillips and art director Thierry Dansereau about how the creatures were adapted from the myths, and what kind of gameplay challenges they pose players.

Exclusive Hands-On Preview

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/09/28/immortals-fenyx-rising-2nd-hands-on-preview-ign-first"] When Immortals Fenyx Rising was re-revealed with its new name at Ubisoft Forward, we were able to bring you a hands-on preview of The Forgelands region of its open world. But, as part of IGN First, we’ve also been able to play an exclusive section of the game that no other press outlet has been able to try. You can learn about what we played in the Aphrodite zone of the Golden Isle in our exclusive hands-on preview. [poilib element="accentDivider"]