World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is officially live. Players queuing up for server access early should hopefully be in already and playing. The newest WoW expansion will take place in, where else, the Shadowlands with five new zones. The biggest quality of life change is a level squish that brings the max level back down to 60. Another big gameplay addition are the four “covenants” players can join in the afterlife. Each Covenant, whether it’s the Kyrian, Venthyr, Necrolord, or Night Fae, are associated with a different zone. Players will choose which one to join after hitting max level, and each of them comes with unique rewards and a Covenant-specific ability, transmogs, and more. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/29/world-of-warcraft-shadowlands-story-trailer"] WoW: Shadowlands was originally set to be released on October 27, but following feedback from players, Blizzard announced it would delay the expansion until today for additional polish. Players will have two weeks to familiarize themselves with the new content as the first Shadowlands raid, Castle Nathria, will be released on December 8. The 10 bosses comprising the raid will take “players into the heart of Sire Denathrius’ lair in Revendreth — along with the start of Shadowlands Season 1.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=world-of-warcraft-shadowlands-gameplay-reveal-images&captions=true"] As players explore the Shadowlands and spend time with all the new features and additions, expect more news at a free, fully digital BlizzCon slated for early next year. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is officially live. Players queuing up for server access early should hopefully be in already and playing. The newest WoW expansion will take place in, where else, the Shadowlands with five new zones. The biggest quality of life change is a level squish that brings the max level back down to 60. Another big gameplay addition are the four “covenants” players can join in the afterlife. Each Covenant, whether it’s the Kyrian, Venthyr, Necrolord, or Night Fae, are associated with a different zone. Players will choose which one to join after hitting max level, and each of them comes with unique rewards and a Covenant-specific ability, transmogs, and more. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/29/world-of-warcraft-shadowlands-story-trailer"] WoW: Shadowlands was originally set to be released on October 27, but following feedback from players, Blizzard announced it would delay the expansion until today for additional polish. Players will have two weeks to familiarize themselves with the new content as the first Shadowlands raid, Castle Nathria, will be released on December 8. The 10 bosses comprising the raid will take “players into the heart of Sire Denathrius’ lair in Revendreth — along with the start of Shadowlands Season 1.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=world-of-warcraft-shadowlands-gameplay-reveal-images&captions=true"] As players explore the Shadowlands and spend time with all the new features and additions, expect more news at a free, fully digital BlizzCon slated for early next year. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

DC Comics has finally revealed a release date for the long-awaited graphic novel Batman: Earth One Vol. 3. The latest chapter in writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank's Batman saga will release on June 8, 2021. Johns and Frank are once again joined by inker Jon Sibal and colorist Brad Anderson for the sequel. Along with that release date, DC has also revealed the final cover art for the latest Earth One graphic novel: [caption id="attachment_2442765" align="aligncenter" width="780"] Art by Gary Frank. (Image Credit: DC)[/caption] As with the previous two books, Batman: Earth One Vol. 3 is set in an alternate, new reader-friendly DCU where Bruce Wayne is still a rookie hero. This sequel will explore the ongoing fallout of two major changes to traditional Batman mythology - Bruce's Arkham family heritage and the rise of a very different Two-Face. As Vol. 3 opens, a heavily armored gang of criminals has begun terrorizing Gotham City. To Batman's horror, they seem to be led by Harvey Dent, despite Dent's apparent death in Vol. 2. However, given the way Vol. 2 ended, it seems safe to assume Harvey's sister Jessica is the gang's actual ringleader. Following the physical and mental trauma she endured, Jessica now suffers from dissociative identity disorder and believes herself to be Harvey. Vol. 3 also features the surprise return of Bruce's grandfather, Adrian Arkham, promising an even deeper dive into the shared history between the Waynes and the Arkhams in this universe. And if the cover art is anything to go by, the book may also touch on the ancient, bat-worshiping Miagani Tribe. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=a-visual-history-of-batman&captions=true"] The original Batman: Earth One was released in July 2012, with Vol. 2 following three years later in May 2015. That means six years will have passed by the time Vol. 3 arrives in stores. Despite these long gaps between volumes, the influence of the Earth One series has been clearly felt throughout the Batman franchise, particularly with adaptations like Gotham and Batman v Superman offering a more aggressive and militant take on Alfred Pennyworth. Interestingly, DC's description for Vol. 3 gives no indication Johns and Frank will be adding the Joker to Batman's Earth One rogues gallery this time. Johns previously told IGN the duo are waiting for the "right time" to introduce Joker, which could imply they're planning to reunite for a fourth volume. "The Joker, for Gary and I, is not something we're avoiding. We're just waiting until it's the right time in Bruce's story, for him to go up against someone like the Joker. We have a very specific take on the Joker that we're going to introduce. It's a little bit different than what we've seen before. So when the Joker shows up in our Batman: Earth One series, it will be because that time and place in Bruce's life is where he's going to have face something like that. We have a whole arc plotted out for Bruce, and you can kind of see it build out from book one to two and into three. I think it's going to come in at the exact right time," Johns said. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/23/the-batman-trailer-dc-fandome-official-footage"] You can, however, see Johns add new layers to Batman and Joker's rivalry in the recent Batman: Three Jokers miniseries. Johns and Frank are also teaming up for their first creator-owned project together, a post-apocalyptic Image Comics series called Geiger. Check out IGN's reviews for Batman: Earth One Vol. 1 and Batman: Earth One Vol. 2. [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.

DC Comics has finally revealed a release date for the long-awaited graphic novel Batman: Earth One Vol. 3. The latest chapter in writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank's Batman saga will release on June 8, 2021. Johns and Frank are once again joined by inker Jon Sibal and colorist Brad Anderson for the sequel. Along with that release date, DC has also revealed the final cover art for the latest Earth One graphic novel: [caption id="attachment_2442765" align="aligncenter" width="780"] Art by Gary Frank. (Image Credit: DC)[/caption] As with the previous two books, Batman: Earth One Vol. 3 is set in an alternate, new reader-friendly DCU where Bruce Wayne is still a rookie hero. This sequel will explore the ongoing fallout of two major changes to traditional Batman mythology - Bruce's Arkham family heritage and the rise of a very different Two-Face. As Vol. 3 opens, a heavily armored gang of criminals has begun terrorizing Gotham City. To Batman's horror, they seem to be led by Harvey Dent, despite Dent's apparent death in Vol. 2. However, given the way Vol. 2 ended, it seems safe to assume Harvey's sister Jessica is the gang's actual ringleader. Following the physical and mental trauma she endured, Jessica now suffers from dissociative identity disorder and believes herself to be Harvey. Vol. 3 also features the surprise return of Bruce's grandfather, Adrian Arkham, promising an even deeper dive into the shared history between the Waynes and the Arkhams in this universe. And if the cover art is anything to go by, the book may also touch on the ancient, bat-worshiping Miagani Tribe. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=a-visual-history-of-batman&captions=true"] The original Batman: Earth One was released in July 2012, with Vol. 2 following three years later in May 2015. That means six years will have passed by the time Vol. 3 arrives in stores. Despite these long gaps between volumes, the influence of the Earth One series has been clearly felt throughout the Batman franchise, particularly with adaptations like Gotham and Batman v Superman offering a more aggressive and militant take on Alfred Pennyworth. Interestingly, DC's description for Vol. 3 gives no indication Johns and Frank will be adding the Joker to Batman's Earth One rogues gallery this time. Johns previously told IGN the duo are waiting for the "right time" to introduce Joker, which could imply they're planning to reunite for a fourth volume. "The Joker, for Gary and I, is not something we're avoiding. We're just waiting until it's the right time in Bruce's story, for him to go up against someone like the Joker. We have a very specific take on the Joker that we're going to introduce. It's a little bit different than what we've seen before. So when the Joker shows up in our Batman: Earth One series, it will be because that time and place in Bruce's life is where he's going to have face something like that. We have a whole arc plotted out for Bruce, and you can kind of see it build out from book one to two and into three. I think it's going to come in at the exact right time," Johns said. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/23/the-batman-trailer-dc-fandome-official-footage"] You can, however, see Johns add new layers to Batman and Joker's rivalry in the recent Batman: Three Jokers miniseries. Johns and Frank are also teaming up for their first creator-owned project together, a post-apocalyptic Image Comics series called Geiger. Check out IGN's reviews for Batman: Earth One Vol. 1 and Batman: Earth One Vol. 2. [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.

Square Enix has revealed a new game in The World Ends With You franchise, titled NEO: The World Ends With You, scheduled to launch in Summer 2021 for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. NEO: The World Ends With You is a 3D action-RPG title, and its official description notes that players will be stepping into the shoes of 'Rindo' this time around, as they "unravel the mysteries of the deadly Reaper's Game" in a stylized Shibuya. You can check out a trailer for the game below, and an official website for the new game has also been launched. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/23/neo-the-world-ends-with-you-official-announcement-trailer"] This is the first true 3D game in the series following the 2007 original, which was ported to modern consoles in 2018. As well as exploring the sights of Shibuya, players will "fight monsters alongside their ally companions in fast-paced action battles, and complete missions as they seek to change the fate they’ve been handed." The trailer introduces a number of new characters including a high-school friend of Rindo's called Fret and a college student peer called Nagi. There's also a mysterious hooded fellow, who looks ripped right out of Kingdom Hearts, called Minamimoto. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=neo-the-world-ends-with-you-screenshots&captions=true"] The official anime adaptation of The World Ends With You recently received a release window of April 2021, so it's a good time to be a TWEWY fan! [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Square Enix has revealed a new game in The World Ends With You franchise, titled NEO: The World Ends With You, scheduled to launch in Summer 2021 for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. NEO: The World Ends With You is a 3D action-RPG title, and its official description notes that players will be stepping into the shoes of 'Rindo' this time around, as they "unravel the mysteries of the deadly Reaper's Game" in a stylized Shibuya. You can check out a trailer for the game below, and an official website for the new game has also been launched. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/23/neo-the-world-ends-with-you-official-announcement-trailer"] This is the first true 3D game in the series following the 2007 original, which was ported to modern consoles in 2018. As well as exploring the sights of Shibuya, players will "fight monsters alongside their ally companions in fast-paced action battles, and complete missions as they seek to change the fate they’ve been handed." The trailer introduces a number of new characters including a high-school friend of Rindo's called Fret and a college student peer called Nagi. There's also a mysterious hooded fellow, who looks ripped right out of Kingdom Hearts, called Minamimoto. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=neo-the-world-ends-with-you-screenshots&captions=true"] The official anime adaptation of The World Ends With You recently received a release window of April 2021, so it's a good time to be a TWEWY fan! [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

The first known instance of leaked Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay has emerged, meaning spoilers may not be far behind.

The first known instance of leaked Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay has emerged, meaning spoilers may not be far behind.

Mike Laidlaw, the former creative director of Dragon Age, has established a new development studio alongside other industry veterans. Called Yellow Brick Games, the independent studio is located in Quebec City and aims to create "original, new games of high quality". [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2014/03/06/dragon-age-inquisition-discover-the-dragon-age"] Laidlaw is joined by Thomas Giroux, Jeff Skalski, and Frédéric St-Laurent B., meaning the studio is comprised of EA, BioWare, and Ubisoft veterans, with a body of work covering Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Watch Dogs, and Assassin's Creed. Laidlaw takes on the role of Chief Creative Officer, while Skalski acts as Chief Operating Officer, and Giroux as Chief Executive Officer. Frédéric St-Laurent B., meanwhile, will take on the position of Game Director for the studio's first project. St-Laurent B. was previously Lead Game Designer for Assassin's Creed: Syndicate at Ubisoft Quebec. The studio currently numbers 15 staff, but is expected to grow in the coming months and years. The goal is to create an original game that will "leverage the capabilities of the next generation gaming platforms", done so with a "craftsmanship approach". [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/09/the-top-10-modern-rpgs-of-all-time"] “The market for independently produced games is growing rapidly and the technology is keeping pace,” said Laidlaw in a press release announcing the studio. “Small, diverse teams can now create high-quality experiences. For veterans of big-studio productions like myself and much of our team, this is the perfect time to get back to a small, agile, and highly motivated group. We want our games here at Yellow Brick to take potentially millions of players on wonderous journeys, and we want every member of our team to have a direct impact on the new worlds we’re creating.” To look back at Laidlaw's credentials, he was Lead Designer on Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2, and Creative Director of Dragon Age: Inquisition. He was at BioWare for 14 years, where he also worked on Jade Empire and Mass Effect. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Mike Laidlaw, the former creative director of Dragon Age, has established a new development studio alongside other industry veterans. Called Yellow Brick Games, the independent studio is located in Quebec City and aims to create "original, new games of high quality". [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2014/03/06/dragon-age-inquisition-discover-the-dragon-age"] Laidlaw is joined by Thomas Giroux, Jeff Skalski, and Frédéric St-Laurent B., meaning the studio is comprised of EA, BioWare, and Ubisoft veterans, with a body of work covering Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Watch Dogs, and Assassin's Creed. Laidlaw takes on the role of Chief Creative Officer, while Skalski acts as Chief Operating Officer, and Giroux as Chief Executive Officer. Frédéric St-Laurent B., meanwhile, will take on the position of Game Director for the studio's first project. St-Laurent B. was previously Lead Game Designer for Assassin's Creed: Syndicate at Ubisoft Quebec. The studio currently numbers 15 staff, but is expected to grow in the coming months and years. The goal is to create an original game that will "leverage the capabilities of the next generation gaming platforms", done so with a "craftsmanship approach". [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/09/the-top-10-modern-rpgs-of-all-time"] “The market for independently produced games is growing rapidly and the technology is keeping pace,” said Laidlaw in a press release announcing the studio. “Small, diverse teams can now create high-quality experiences. For veterans of big-studio productions like myself and much of our team, this is the perfect time to get back to a small, agile, and highly motivated group. We want our games here at Yellow Brick to take potentially millions of players on wonderous journeys, and we want every member of our team to have a direct impact on the new worlds we’re creating.” To look back at Laidlaw's credentials, he was Lead Designer on Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2, and Creative Director of Dragon Age: Inquisition. He was at BioWare for 14 years, where he also worked on Jade Empire and Mass Effect. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.