Monthly Archives: November 2020
WWE’s Xavier Woods Joins the New G4
WWE Superstar Xavier Woods, aka Austin Creed, has been announced as the first on-air talent for the rebooted G4, and IGN was able to sit down with Creed and G4’s head of content Kevin Sabbe to talk about Woods’ new role and vision for the network.
Woods, whose wrestling renown is matched by his love of gaming, made a surprise appearance at last weeks’ G4 Reunion Special. The reunion included former talents Kevin Pereira, Morgan Webb, Adam Sessler, Olivia Munn. But the real stinger is that Woods will be with G4 going forward as one of the new hosts for the revamped network.
“I was losing my mind… It was incredible,” Woods says in describing the experience of being able to announce his hosting job. “I’m just a random dude from Georgia who loves video games and loves wrestling. So getting my WWE contract while sitting in the middle of a Walgreens in Orlando, Florida at the time doing like backflips, calling my parents... I had the exact same reaction when I found out I was going to be a host on G4.”
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=g4-reunion-show&captions=true"]
The TV network premiered in 2002 and covered all manner of games and geekery with shows like X-Play, G4TV.com, and Attack of the Show. The network launched the careers of many familiar faces in the gaming industry you see today including Munn, Geoff Keighley, and more.
But Woods is already a well-known personality, both from his work in WWE and as a personality and host around the gaming scene. And Woods says he intends to carry that energy forward into his G4 tenure.
“I feel like the thing that I’ve done and continue to bring constantly to the table since I’ve been in the gaming space is trying to show people that we’re all the same kind of nerd. So, I love wrestling back in the day — I still love wrestling now, obviously — but back in the day, at some point wrestling, like, wasn’t cool and you get made fun of for liking wrestling. The same thing happened with video games.”
But now that gaming has exploded into the mainstream in the decade since G4 first launched, Woods says he’s excited to shine a light on the game space for a new audience.
“With me being the first host I automatically look different than everybody else that [appeared at the reunion special] and so I think that in all the talks that I’ve had with [G4] they very much understand that representation is important. They understand that in the past 15, 10 years… the makeup of who is in the gaming space has been changing.”
Both Woods and Kevin Sabbe describe G4 as a “clubhouse” where everyone who loves and plays games is accepted. And Sabbe suggests this will translate to G4’s reboot strategy.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/24/g4-2021-return-teaser"]
In the years since G4 left the air, video content for games has exploded on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. But much of the content you see nowadays doesn’t much resemble what G4 did, which operated like a traditional TV variety show.
So while the easy narrative would be what a “G4 vs. Twitch/YouTube” landscape might look like, the Reunion Special included appearances from famous Twitch streamers like DrLupo. And so this doesn’t appear to be a fight for G4.
“The plan is for us to be everywhere gamers already and to be part of the community,” Sabbe says.
And while there have been no other casting news, Sabbe says future collaborations with streamers are in the cards, particularly if they’re interested in branching out into G4-style content, which includes sketches and variety work.
“How do we complement the streaming community in partnerships with future talent who maybe can’t do [TV-style content] on their own? That’s something G4 offers, you take a streamer who really does want to do some sketch comedy, but isn’t going to do that on their own, we provide that space for our partnership for them to come in and do those things.”
There are no details yet on G4’s official return, but the plans for a relaunch are set for sometime in 2021. Woods is currently playable in Gears 5 as well, if you’re excited to see him in action and G4’s representatives confirmed that Woods is still signed on with WWE.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.
WWE’s Xavier Woods Joins the New G4
WWE Superstar Xavier Woods, aka Austin Creed, has been announced as the first on-air talent for the rebooted G4, and IGN was able to sit down with Creed and G4’s head of content Kevin Sabbe to talk about Woods’ new role and vision for the network.
Woods, whose wrestling renown is matched by his love of gaming, made a surprise appearance at last weeks’ G4 Reunion Special. The reunion included former talents Kevin Pereira, Morgan Webb, Adam Sessler, Olivia Munn. But the real stinger is that Woods will be with G4 going forward as one of the new hosts for the revamped network.
“I was losing my mind… It was incredible,” Woods says in describing the experience of being able to announce his hosting job. “I’m just a random dude from Georgia who loves video games and loves wrestling. So getting my WWE contract while sitting in the middle of a Walgreens in Orlando, Florida at the time doing like backflips, calling my parents... I had the exact same reaction when I found out I was going to be a host on G4.”
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=g4-reunion-show&captions=true"]
The TV network premiered in 2002 and covered all manner of games and geekery with shows like X-Play, G4TV.com, and Attack of the Show. The network launched the careers of many familiar faces in the gaming industry you see today including Munn, Geoff Keighley, and more.
But Woods is already a well-known personality, both from his work in WWE and as a personality and host around the gaming scene. And Woods says he intends to carry that energy forward into his G4 tenure.
“I feel like the thing that I’ve done and continue to bring constantly to the table since I’ve been in the gaming space is trying to show people that we’re all the same kind of nerd. So, I love wrestling back in the day — I still love wrestling now, obviously — but back in the day, at some point wrestling, like, wasn’t cool and you get made fun of for liking wrestling. The same thing happened with video games.”
But now that gaming has exploded into the mainstream in the decade since G4 first launched, Woods says he’s excited to shine a light on the game space for a new audience.
“With me being the first host I automatically look different than everybody else that [appeared at the reunion special] and so I think that in all the talks that I’ve had with [G4] they very much understand that representation is important. They understand that in the past 15, 10 years… the makeup of who is in the gaming space has been changing.”
Both Woods and Kevin Sabbe describe G4 as a “clubhouse” where everyone who loves and plays games is accepted. And Sabbe suggests this will translate to G4’s reboot strategy.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/24/g4-2021-return-teaser"]
In the years since G4 left the air, video content for games has exploded on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. But much of the content you see nowadays doesn’t much resemble what G4 did, which operated like a traditional TV variety show.
So while the easy narrative would be what a “G4 vs. Twitch/YouTube” landscape might look like, the Reunion Special included appearances from famous Twitch streamers like DrLupo. And so this doesn’t appear to be a fight for G4.
“The plan is for us to be everywhere gamers already and to be part of the community,” Sabbe says.
And while there have been no other casting news, Sabbe says future collaborations with streamers are in the cards, particularly if they’re interested in branching out into G4-style content, which includes sketches and variety work.
“How do we complement the streaming community in partnerships with future talent who maybe can’t do [TV-style content] on their own? That’s something G4 offers, you take a streamer who really does want to do some sketch comedy, but isn’t going to do that on their own, we provide that space for our partnership for them to come in and do those things.”
There are no details yet on G4’s official return, but the plans for a relaunch are set for sometime in 2021. Woods is currently playable in Gears 5 as well, if you’re excited to see him in action and G4’s representatives confirmed that Woods is still signed on with WWE.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.
Fortnite Galactus Event: How to Watch It
Ever since Fortnite and Marvel teamed up, everyone expected some sort of game-altering occurrence – that Season 4 would offer more than just a battle pass filled with icon skins. And considering that Galactus’ body recently appeared in the ocean (just west of Sweaty Sands), it was apparent that he’d be the cause of whatever calamity is on the horizon.
This coming live event will send shock waves through the Fortnite universe. At least, that’s the sentiment shared by Epic; the company wants as many people as possible to join the fight tomorrow. Given the magnitude of Galactus’ appearance, we’ve compiled the necessary information in our guide below to help you do just that.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
How to Watch The Fortnite Galactus Event?
The entire event took place in-game. Hopefully, if you logged-in early enough, you were able to participate. Don’t worry if you didn't get to, though. While it was a one-time occurrence – as opposed to say, the Travis Scott concert – Stella from IGN was able to capture the entire event live. Check out the full VoD below. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/01/fortnite-galactus-full-event-no-commentary"]What Is The Fortnite Galactus Event?
The Fortnite Galactus event is a special, one-time-only event where players battle Galactus. It started with players hanging out on a helicarrier as a countdown to the event displayed on the screen. Once the event kicked off, the Marvel supervillain emerged out of the water and made his way towards the island before uttering the words, "Beware, I hunger." Galactus then attacks the helicarrier, sending players hurtling into the sky where Iron Man shows up with a jetpack and guides players into battle. Things get really interesting when Fortnite turns into a dogfight as players form an army of Battle Buses flying through the air, shooting down drones, and... Well, I won't ruin all of it here. Check out the full experience in the video embedded above. At the end of the Galactus event, a countdown to chapter two, season five of Fortnite starts right before the game does down to prep for the update.Status: Galactus defeated! Thanks for your efforts.
Fortnite is currently in a prep state for Chapter 2 - Season 5 (v15.00). Server downtime for the update begins December 2 at 12 AM ET (05:00 UTC) and is expected to run until approx. 4 AM ET (09:00 UTC). Stay tuned for updates. pic.twitter.com/yvTdmpOwx7 — Fortnite Status (@FortniteStatus) December 1, 2020
When Was The Fortnite Galactus Event?
Fortnite's Galactus live event took place on December 1st, 2020 at 1 AM PST/4 PM EST in-game. Since it was a one-time event, there are no other times available for players who missed it (or would like to participate in it again) to experience it.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]Fortnite Galactus Event: How to Watch It
Ever since Fortnite and Marvel teamed up, everyone expected some sort of game-altering occurrence – that Season 4 would offer more than just a battle pass filled with icon skins. And considering that Galactus’ body recently appeared in the ocean (just west of Sweaty Sands), it was apparent that he’d be the cause of whatever calamity is on the horizon.
This coming live event will send shock waves through the Fortnite universe. At least, that’s the sentiment shared by Epic; the company wants as many people as possible to join the fight tomorrow. Given the magnitude of Galactus’ appearance, we’ve compiled the necessary information in our guide below to help you do just that.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
How to Watch The Fortnite Galactus Event?
The entire event took place in-game. Hopefully, if you logged-in early enough, you were able to participate. Don’t worry if you didn't get to, though. While it was a one-time occurrence – as opposed to say, the Travis Scott concert – Stella from IGN was able to capture the entire event live. Check out the full VoD below. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/01/fortnite-galactus-full-event-no-commentary"]What Is The Fortnite Galactus Event?
The Fortnite Galactus event is a special, one-time-only event where players battle Galactus. It started with players hanging out on a helicarrier as a countdown to the event displayed on the screen. Once the event kicked off, the Marvel supervillain emerged out of the water and made his way towards the island before uttering the words, "Beware, I hunger." Galactus then attacks the helicarrier, sending players hurtling into the sky where Iron Man shows up with a jetpack and guides players into battle. Things get really interesting when Fortnite turns into a dogfight as players form an army of Battle Buses flying through the air, shooting down drones, and... Well, I won't ruin all of it here. Check out the full experience in the video embedded above. At the end of the Galactus event, a countdown to chapter two, season five of Fortnite starts right before the game does down to prep for the update.Status: Galactus defeated! Thanks for your efforts.
Fortnite is currently in a prep state for Chapter 2 - Season 5 (v15.00). Server downtime for the update begins December 2 at 12 AM ET (05:00 UTC) and is expected to run until approx. 4 AM ET (09:00 UTC). Stay tuned for updates. pic.twitter.com/yvTdmpOwx7 — Fortnite Status (@FortniteStatus) December 1, 2020
When Was The Fortnite Galactus Event?
Fortnite's Galactus live event took place on December 1st, 2020 at 1 AM PST/4 PM EST in-game. Since it was a one-time event, there are no other times available for players who missed it (or would like to participate in it again) to experience it.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]Fans Want to ‘Save Daredevil’ as Character Rights Revert Back to Marvel Studios
This past weekend, on November 29, the rights to Daredevil officially transferred from Netflix back to Marvel, once again igniting the #SaveDaredevil campaign that fans have launched intermittently since the series was canceled back in 2018.
When Daredevil was axed back in November of 2018, the Netflix deal was set up so that the streamer would retain the rights until two years after the cancellation. Now the character rights are back with Marvel Studios and Daredevil is free and clear to join, or re-join really, the MCU.
#SaveDaredevil was trading this weekend, once again, because of the fan fervor. And not just to have the character back in Marvel's hands, but fans specifically wanting Charlie Cox to continue playing Matt Murdock, along with the other actors from the series reprising their roles.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/27/the-mandalorian-season-2-episode-5-the-truth-behind-the-jedi-and-her-secret-mission-star-wars-canon-fodder"]
Daredevil star Vincent D'Onofrio, who played Wilson Fisk, and MCU/Agents of SHIELD star Clark Gregg also joined in the online Save Daredevil campaign.
D'Onofrio also recently, as of last week, asked fans to sign a petition that would save the series, in its full Netflix-y cast and tone form, and basically just have it transfer over to a Disney-owned platform. D'Onofrio also seems aware that the third MCU Spider-Man film contains Kingpin opportunities...Say it with me, people…#SaveDaredevil https://t.co/xYOOPr9NIa
— Clark Gregg (@clarkgregg) November 29, 2020
There are many things to consider when it comes to "saving" a series. While it would be great to just have Daredevil revived as a show and continue on from where there story left off, it would be weird for Disney to, essentially, only have half the series right now. The first three seasons live on Netflix so those wanting to watch for the first time, or rewatch from the beginning, would have to go to a large streaming competitor to do so. Of course, Marvel may get the first three seasons of the show back eventually, as other shows Netflix has saved -- like The Killing and The Fall -- eventually do leave the platform. Best guess, if this happens, Daredevil could live on Hulu (given its edgier tone). But then again, we've seen so many of Marvel's Hulu shows die on the vine over the past few years - from Runaways to the poorly-received Hellstrom to the Ghost Rider series that never happened (oh, and the nixed New Warriors show). Most likely, the best avenue, if there is one, is for the actors to reprise their roles, in a supporting capacity, in an MCU movie or in one of the many upcoming MCU Disney+ shows. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-agents-of-shield-the-many-lives-and-deaths-of-phil-coulson&captions=true"]When I was a boy... https://t.co/D0fJavDXsA
— Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) October 8, 2020
Fans Want to ‘Save Daredevil’ as Character Rights Revert Back to Marvel Studios
This past weekend, on November 29, the rights to Daredevil officially transferred from Netflix back to Marvel, once again igniting the #SaveDaredevil campaign that fans have launched intermittently since the series was canceled back in 2018.
When Daredevil was axed back in November of 2018, the Netflix deal was set up so that the streamer would retain the rights until two years after the cancellation. Now the character rights are back with Marvel Studios and Daredevil is free and clear to join, or re-join really, the MCU.
#SaveDaredevil was trading this weekend, once again, because of the fan fervor. And not just to have the character back in Marvel's hands, but fans specifically wanting Charlie Cox to continue playing Matt Murdock, along with the other actors from the series reprising their roles.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/27/the-mandalorian-season-2-episode-5-the-truth-behind-the-jedi-and-her-secret-mission-star-wars-canon-fodder"]
Daredevil star Vincent D'Onofrio, who played Wilson Fisk, and MCU/Agents of SHIELD star Clark Gregg also joined in the online Save Daredevil campaign.
D'Onofrio also recently, as of last week, asked fans to sign a petition that would save the series, in its full Netflix-y cast and tone form, and basically just have it transfer over to a Disney-owned platform. D'Onofrio also seems aware that the third MCU Spider-Man film contains Kingpin opportunities...Say it with me, people…#SaveDaredevil https://t.co/xYOOPr9NIa
— Clark Gregg (@clarkgregg) November 29, 2020
There are many things to consider when it comes to "saving" a series. While it would be great to just have Daredevil revived as a show and continue on from where there story left off, it would be weird for Disney to, essentially, only have half the series right now. The first three seasons live on Netflix so those wanting to watch for the first time, or rewatch from the beginning, would have to go to a large streaming competitor to do so. Of course, Marvel may get the first three seasons of the show back eventually, as other shows Netflix has saved -- like The Killing and The Fall -- eventually do leave the platform. Best guess, if this happens, Daredevil could live on Hulu (given its edgier tone). But then again, we've seen so many of Marvel's Hulu shows die on the vine over the past few years - from Runaways to the poorly-received Hellstrom to the Ghost Rider series that never happened (oh, and the nixed New Warriors show). Most likely, the best avenue, if there is one, is for the actors to reprise their roles, in a supporting capacity, in an MCU movie or in one of the many upcoming MCU Disney+ shows. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-agents-of-shield-the-many-lives-and-deaths-of-phil-coulson&captions=true"]When I was a boy... https://t.co/D0fJavDXsA
— Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) October 8, 2020
AK-xolotl: Protect Your Pond in the First Teaser From New Arcade Shooter
AK-xolotl, the forthcoming top-down arcade shooter, has revealed its first teaser showcasing what you'll be up against in an effort to defend your pond. You can check out the full teaser trailer above.
Singularly developed by Daniel Piqueras Constantin, AK-xolotl pits the world's cutest amphibian, the axolotl, against waves of enemies like field mice and deadly predators vying to do bad things to the plucky little buddy.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ak-xolotl-screenshot-gallery&captions=true"]
Fortunately, not only can our semiaquatic protagonist regrow most parts of its body, it comes with a full arsenal of 15 different weapons and rare variants, six power-ups to even the odds, and online leaderboards so you and your friends can finally settle that heated debate over who'd be the best salamander with a gun.
AK-xolotl is slated to hit PC on Steam in Q2 2021 and looking at potentially supporting consoles at some point down the line. For the time being, you can follow along at the AK-xolotl Steam page.
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Brandin Tyrrel is IGN's Manager of Editorial Events. You can find him on Unlocked, or chat over on Twitter at @BrandinTyrrel.
AK-xolotl: Protect Your Pond in the First Teaser From New Arcade Shooter
AK-xolotl, the forthcoming top-down arcade shooter, has revealed its first teaser showcasing what you'll be up against in an effort to defend your pond. You can check out the full teaser trailer above.
Singularly developed by Daniel Piqueras Constantin, AK-xolotl pits the world's cutest amphibian, the axolotl, against waves of enemies like field mice and deadly predators vying to do bad things to the plucky little buddy.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ak-xolotl-screenshot-gallery&captions=true"]
Fortunately, not only can our semiaquatic protagonist regrow most parts of its body, it comes with a full arsenal of 15 different weapons and rare variants, six power-ups to even the odds, and online leaderboards so you and your friends can finally settle that heated debate over who'd be the best salamander with a gun.
AK-xolotl is slated to hit PC on Steam in Q2 2021 and looking at potentially supporting consoles at some point down the line. For the time being, you can follow along at the AK-xolotl Steam page.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Brandin Tyrrel is IGN's Manager of Editorial Events. You can find him on Unlocked, or chat over on Twitter at @BrandinTyrrel.
Immortals Fenyx Rising Review
Immortals Fenyx Rising knows perfect is the enemy of good. Typhon, its big bad, is obsessed with perfection; as he overthrows the gods of Mount Olympus and strands them on the Golden Isle, he strips them of their essences, and with those essences, the flaws that made them legend. Aphrodite loses her passion, pettiness, and jealousy; Ares his rage; Hephaistos his suffering; Athena her self-righteousness. In their quest to reclaim those essences, Fenyx, a lowly soldier in search of their brother Ligryon, argues those flaws should be celebrated, not forgotten. Their tale doesn't always impart that lesson, but it's able to deftly take its own flaws in stride and, while not reaching the highs of the gods it worships, earn its own praise.
Fenyx Rising sets the bar high for itself by borrowing heavily from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You can climb your way up just about any solid surface if you have enough stamina; one of your four major abilities lets you magically float objects above your head and move them around to solve puzzles; the Golden Isle is littered with vaults, one-off puzzles that take place in self-contained parts of Tartaros. The list runs deep.
Despite all the borrowed elements, Fenyx Rising hews closely to Ubisoft's flavor of open world. At first, it was hard not to treat every similarity I spotted as a point of comparison. Fenyx Rising, for example, lacks a real sense of exploration. You're rarely lost, since the first thing you do in every region is head to the nearest vantage point, scout the area to reveal it on your map, then mark a bevy of collectibles and activities to chase. I never got the sense I was "exploring" the Golden Isle so much as I was beelining it to all the icons I'd already marked, which told me exactly what I would find when I reached them. I wasn't paying much attention to the world around me because nothing is really "hidden," which is disappointing only because in its early hours, Fenyx Rising did remind me of the spacious Hyrule of Breath of the Wild, where every rock formation or tree stump hinted at some surprise worth telling someone else about.
Continue Reading at GameSpotImmortals Fenyx Rising Review
Immortals Fenyx Rising knows perfect is the enemy of good. Typhon, its big bad, is obsessed with perfection; as he overthrows the gods of Mount Olympus and strands them on the Golden Isle, he strips them of their essences, and with those essences, the flaws that made them legend. Aphrodite loses her passion, pettiness, and jealousy; Ares his rage; Hephaistos his suffering; Athena her self-righteousness. In their quest to reclaim those essences, Fenyx, a lowly soldier in search of their brother Ligryon, argues those flaws should be celebrated, not forgotten. Their tale doesn't always impart that lesson, but it's able to deftly take its own flaws in stride and, while not reaching the highs of the gods it worships, earn its own praise.
Fenyx Rising sets the bar high for itself by borrowing heavily from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You can climb your way up just about any solid surface if you have enough stamina; one of your four major abilities lets you magically float objects above your head and move them around to solve puzzles; the Golden Isle is littered with vaults, one-off puzzles that take place in self-contained parts of Tartaros. The list runs deep.
Despite all the borrowed elements, Fenyx Rising hews closely to Ubisoft's flavor of open world. At first, it was hard not to treat every similarity I spotted as a point of comparison. Fenyx Rising, for example, lacks a real sense of exploration. You're rarely lost, since the first thing you do in every region is head to the nearest vantage point, scout the area to reveal it on your map, then mark a bevy of collectibles and activities to chase. I never got the sense I was "exploring" the Golden Isle so much as I was beelining it to all the icons I'd already marked, which told me exactly what I would find when I reached them. I wasn't paying much attention to the world around me because nothing is really "hidden," which is disappointing only because in its early hours, Fenyx Rising did remind me of the spacious Hyrule of Breath of the Wild, where every rock formation or tree stump hinted at some surprise worth telling someone else about.
Continue Reading at GameSpot