A new extensive report from Bloomberg has detailed some of the dysfunction and struggles at Amazon Game Studios, which included cancelled projects, a troublesome game engine, mismanagement, and a "bro culture" that allegedly does not give women the same opportunities as men. The report begins by discussing how Mike Frazzini was brought in to start Amazon Game Studios eight years ago without ever making a game. Since then, Frazzini and Amazon Game Studios have released only two games, and have seen multiple cancelled projects that were attempting to recreate the financial magic of games like Fortnite and League of Legends. The Grand Tour Game was the first Amazon Game Studios console release, and within a year it was removed from storefronts. Crucible was the next game released from the studio, and not only did it return to closed beta after its official launch, it was shut down in November 2020. Two other projects, which were known as Intensity and Nova, never saw the light of day after the teams tried and failed to create games inspired by Fortnite and League of Legends, respectively. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/03/new-world-hands-on-with-amazons-open-world-mmorpg"] All of these cancelled and unsuccessful projects at Amazon Game Studios have done so despite Amazon spending nearly $500 million a year operating the game division. It's also important to note that the amount doesn't include Twitch or Amazon Luna - the latter of which is under different management. Frazzini is an "Amazon lifer" who started his career in the books section of Amazon.com where he "endeared himself to Jeff Bezos as a manager there." He began his role as head of the games division by bringing in some of the best game development talent in the world, including Portal's Kim Swift, Far Cry 2's Clint Hawking, Madden's Richard Hilleman, and Everquest's John Smedley. Today, only Smedley remains. According to numerous current and former employees of Frazzini's game studios, he continuously ignored much of the advice given by these experienced developers, and despite frequently telling the staff that every Amazon game should be a "billion-dollar franchise," he would then understaff projects. Furthermore, instead of using industry-leading game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, the studio opted to license technology from Crytek to create a homemade engine known as Lumberyard. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/27/crucible-review"] While Lumberyard was meant to integrate with Amazon Web Services and could have been a cheaper alternative than paying for the other engines, it ended up being known as a "boogeyman around the office." Many cited that it was "painfully slow," and developers would play Halo or watch Amazon Prime Video as they waited for Lumberyard to process art or compile code. One former employee even went so far as to say, "Lumberyard is killing this company." Another big issue with working at Amazon Game Studios is said to be linked to the "bro culture" that has been cultivated there, in which women were often not given the same opportunities as men. Beyond that, "four female game developers said that their worst experiences of sexism in the industry were at Amazon." There were stories of them being ignored and undermined by male executives, in some cases being driven out of the company. One source said that not only did a male on the senior leadership team impede her career growth after she disagreed with him, he would then go on to create new management positions above her and hired men to take those positions. Amazon's game problems also extend to how they incentivize their employees. While most studios pay bonuses based on the critical and commercial response of a game, Amazon's stock plan only rewards employees for how long they have been at the company. This has led to some employees choosing to "prioritize job preservation over anything else, say three former employees." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=new-world-screenshots-november-2020&captions=true"] Amazon Game Studio's next project is the MMO New World. Originally planned for a 2020 release, it was pushed back to Spring 2021 to improve the quality of the game. Bloomberg's report explains that the project was originally going to be a survival game where players would take on the role of colonists in a fictional version of 1600s America. The problem, however, was that the enemies players originally were going to face "looked a lot like indigenous people." When developers pointed out to Frazzini's deputy, Patrick Gilmore, that the setting and villains could be considered racist, he "expressed disbelief." Amazon did eventually hire a tribal consultant who did find that the portrayal was offensive, and the Native American imagery has since been removed. Our latest preview of New World's high-level PvE zone show a game that may not be for everybody, but one that shows promise and a big improvement, in both PvE content and general polish, from the previous build. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/18/new-world-11-minutes-of-group-pve-combat"] [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.

The cover has allegedly leaked for MLB The Show 21, but this time for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox One, seemingly confirming that the Sony-exclusive baseball game will make its way to other platforms in 2021. Known leaker ANerdyDad on Instagram shared the covers, which both feature San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., and the Xbox version even comes complete with the PlayStation Studios logo, as well. Another potential leak has made its way to Reddit, showing that there may also be a Jackie Robinson special edition version of MLB The Show 21, which is said to be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One. Unfortunately, there is no mention of PC or Nintendo Switch. The Jackie Robinson Edition leak also reveals that the game is planned to be released on April 20, 2021, with an Early Access Weekend beginning on April 16. Following these leaks, it has been announced that the official MLB The Show 2021 cover reveal will take place tomorrow, February 1, on Hot Ones. So, it appears we won't have to wait long to learn the truth.

Sponsored by @MLBTheShow

The cover athlete of the next MLB The Show gets unveiled & interviewed tomorrow on #HotOnes #MLBTheShow https://t.co/d8M5aTUovM pic.twitter.com/hTxpOflyFr — Complex (@Complex) January 31, 2021

In 2019, it was confirmed that MLB The Show would be making its way to other platforms as early as 2021, and it appears this just may be the year these great games will be playable by many more people. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/22/the-state-of-playstation-studios-2021-update"] [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.

On this weekend's Saturday Night Live, hosted by Office-alum John Krasinski, the show took a fun swipe at Nicole Kidman's song for HBO's The Undoing by creating a parody commercial for a music completion called Now That's What I Call Theme Songs Sung By Stars of the Show -- and as part of it, Krasinski sang the "never before heard" lyrics to The Office theme Also on deck, SNL'er Kyle Mooney got done up to look like Baby Yoda for an attempt at rhyming over The Mandalorian's theme while other cast members dressed up like TV characters from The Queen's Gambit, The Crown, Frasier, Sex and the City, and more. Here's Krasinski's crooning of The Office...

This was the original @theofficetv theme song. Don't ask questions. pic.twitter.com/GENJfBjGks

— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) January 31, 2021

You can watch the full sketch here. The Office, which was reportedly 2020's most-streamed TV series, recently made the leap from Netflix over to Peacock, where Peacock unveiled a never-before-seen cold open for the show. That's just one of the many unreleased scenes available to watch on Peacock. Currently, Seasons 1 and 2 of The Office are available for free on the streaming service, while Seasons 3 through 9 are locked behind Peacock’s premium tier. Looking for more Dunder Mifflin related items? Here are IGN's Top 10 episodes of The Office as well as the show’s original auditions featuring Seth Rogen and Bob Odenkirk. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-episodes-of-the-office-of-all-time&captions=true"]

One of the indisputable highlights of The Mandalorian's second season on Disney+ was the live-action debut of Ahsoka Tano, played by Rosario Dawson. As a way to celebrate Ahsoka Tano Day, which honors the first-ever appearance of the beloved Star Wars character, Dawson shared a time-lapse video on Friday that documented her lengthy transformation process, involving extensive makeup and heavy prosthetics, to become Ahsoka for The Mandalorian episode, "The Jedi." Check it out...

Happy #AhsokaTanoDay ! Thank you @Ashley_Eckstein for bringing Ashoka to life for us all. It’s one of the greatest honors & privileges of my life to share this remarkable character w/ the world alongside you. #DreamTeam @starwars @dave_filoni @Jon_Favreau #BrianSipe #SamanthaWard pic.twitter.com/9JThoyrm6q

— Rosario Dawson (@rosariodawson) January 30, 2021

In her message, Dawson thanked Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau, executive producer and "The Jedi" director Dave Filoni (who was also EP on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and creator of Star Wars Rebels), makeup artists Brian Sipe and Samantha Ward, and original Ahsoka voicer Ashley Eckstein. If you only know the character of Ahsoka Tano from her Mandalorian episode, dive into Ahsoka's backstory from her iconic animated appearances on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels. An Ahsoka Tano spin-off series was officially announced for Disney+ back in December, featuring Dawson in the the title role, along with another series called Rangers of the New Republic. Both series will take place within the post-Return of the Jedi era of The Mandalorian. In "The Jedi," Din Djarin -- aka "Mando" -- brought The Child to Ahsoka Tano in hopes of reuniting it with its fellow Jedi. Ahsoka discovered The Child's name was Grogu but ultimately refused to train the wee tyke because of the emotional bond between Grogu and Mando. It was in "The Jedi" too that we got our first tease of a live-action Grand Admiral Thrawn. Thrawn was a supreme adversary created by author Timothy Zahn as part of the then-Extended Universe (now under the new "Star Wars Legends" banner). Thrawn made the jump from page to screen though when he appeared as a villain in the second half of Star Wars: Rebels. Now, like Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan, it looks like the character is ready to become a fully physical form of the Star Wars Disney+ universe. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=essential-ahsoka-tano-stories-to-watch-and-read&captions=true"]

Fortnite's latest collaboration not only allows players to purchase an in-game outfit based on G.I. Joe's Snake Eyes, but there will also be a real-life action figure from Hasbro that is based on the character's Fortnite design. Snake Eyes is available now in Fortnite's Item Shop, and the full set includes the Katana Pickaxe and Katana Back Bling. As for the Fortnite G.I. Joe Collab Snake Eyes: Zero Point Edition action figure, it costs $39.99 and includes Snake Eye's Katana - Morning Light - and a sheath accessory inspired by the G.I. Joe universe. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=fortnites-gi-joe-collaboration-snake-eyes-outfit-and-hasbro-action-figure&captions=true"] This edition also includes such Fortnite items as the "Harpoon Launcher, Boogie Bomb, Grenade, Clinger, Chiller Grenade, as well as the Submachine weapon and Mythic Shockwave Launcher accessories featuring the Weathered Black Wrap deco as seen in-game." Unfortunately, it appears the Snake Eyes figure will not ship out until around January 15, 2022. While you may have to wait until 2022 to receive this special edition Snake Eyes action figure, the Snake Eyes film is set to be released in theaters on October 22, 2021. Snake Eyes stars Henry Golding as the iconic character who will train to become a member of the Arashikage Clan. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/22/fortnite-sarah-connor-and-the-t-800-arrive-through-the-zero-point-trailer"] Snake Eyes is just the latest example of Fortnite's crossover with pop culture and follows such characters as Sarah Connor, T-800, The Predator, and so much more. [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.

Fortnite's latest collaboration not only allows players to purchase an in-game outfit based on G.I. Joe's Snake Eyes, but there will also be a real-life action figure from Hasbro that is based on the character's Fortnite design. Snake Eyes is available now in Fortnite's Item Shop, and the full set includes the Katana Pickaxe and Katana Back Bling. As for the Fortnite G.I. Joe Collab Snake Eyes: Zero Point Edition action figure, it costs $39.99 and includes Snake Eye's Katana - Morning Light - and a sheath accessory inspired by the G.I. Joe universe. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=fortnites-gi-joe-collaboration-snake-eyes-outfit-and-hasbro-action-figure&captions=true"] This edition also includes such Fortnite items as the "Harpoon Launcher, Boogie Bomb, Grenade, Clinger, Chiller Grenade, as well as the Submachine weapon and Mythic Shockwave Launcher accessories featuring the Weathered Black Wrap deco as seen in-game." Unfortunately, it appears the Snake Eyes figure will not ship out until around January 15, 2022. While you may have to wait until 2022 to receive this special edition Snake Eyes action figure, the Snake Eyes film is set to be released in theaters on October 22, 2021. Snake Eyes stars Henry Golding as the iconic character who will train to become a member of the Arashikage Clan. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/22/fortnite-sarah-connor-and-the-t-800-arrive-through-the-zero-point-trailer"] Snake Eyes is just the latest example of Fortnite's crossover with pop culture and follows such characters as Sarah Connor, T-800, The Predator, and so much more. [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.

While Hitman 3 has officially launched with the aim to end the World of Assassination Trilogy, IO Interactive is planning on developing DLC that reimagines existing locations. Speaking to TheGamer, Hitman 3 executive producer Forest Swartout Large explained that, even though the studio is developing a new James Bond game, it is "continuously working on Hitman so we are already looking to the future." IO Interactive has multiple teams, and at least one will continue to support Hitman 3 with post-launch patches and DLC. However, Large warns that it most likely won't include new levels like Hitman 2's New York bank level or Haven Island. Instead, the team is looking to use "existing locations and reimagining them, twisting them." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/19/hitman-3-review"] "We are definitely going to be doing some DLC, but we haven’t defined what that is," Large said. "I think for now we are not looking at new maps like the bank and the island. We’re more looking at using existing locations and reimagining them, twisting them. And this time around, we can use the whole trilogy. We can look back at Hitman 2016 maps, Hitman 2 maps - we have all the locations." In our Hitman 3 review, we said "Rich, rewarding, and highly replayable, Hitman 3 is a superb installment of IO’s idiosyncratic but much-loved stealth series. The fundamentals haven’t changed since 2016 but its collection of outstanding maps makes for a refined, reliable, and robust curtain-closer to the current Hitman trilogy." Hitman 3 has already made back its costs in one week, so its no surprise that IO Interactive will want to continue to support it. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-hitman-review&captions=true"] For more on Hitman 3, check out our look at why this game proves IO Interactive is ready for the 007 license, how to get Hitman and Hitman 2 levels into Hitman 3, and our best tips and tricks to help you become the ultimate assassin. [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.

While Hitman 3 has officially launched with the aim to end the World of Assassination Trilogy, IO Interactive is planning on developing DLC that reimagines existing locations. Speaking to TheGamer, Hitman 3 executive producer Forest Swartout Large explained that, even though the studio is developing a new James Bond game, it is "continuously working on Hitman so we are already looking to the future." IO Interactive has multiple teams, and at least one will continue to support Hitman 3 with post-launch patches and DLC. However, Large warns that it most likely won't include new levels like Hitman 2's New York bank level or Haven Island. Instead, the team is looking to use "existing locations and reimagining them, twisting them." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/19/hitman-3-review"] "We are definitely going to be doing some DLC, but we haven’t defined what that is," Large said. "I think for now we are not looking at new maps like the bank and the island. We’re more looking at using existing locations and reimagining them, twisting them. And this time around, we can use the whole trilogy. We can look back at Hitman 2016 maps, Hitman 2 maps - we have all the locations." In our Hitman 3 review, we said "Rich, rewarding, and highly replayable, Hitman 3 is a superb installment of IO’s idiosyncratic but much-loved stealth series. The fundamentals haven’t changed since 2016 but its collection of outstanding maps makes for a refined, reliable, and robust curtain-closer to the current Hitman trilogy." Hitman 3 has already made back its costs in one week, so its no surprise that IO Interactive will want to continue to support it. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-hitman-review&captions=true"] For more on Hitman 3, check out our look at why this game proves IO Interactive is ready for the 007 license, how to get Hitman and Hitman 2 levels into Hitman 3, and our best tips and tricks to help you become the ultimate assassin. [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.

According to a new leak, the title for The Matrix 4 is allegedly The Matrix Resurrections. As reported by Yahoo, the title comes via a gift sent to a hairstylist from The Matrix 4, which was a trench coat featuring The Matrix's iconic digital rain. The hairstylist shared the gift in a now deleted Instagram post, but it was saved by those like YouTuber NeoMatrixology. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/matrix-4-dune-more-2021-movies-coming-to-hbo-max-ign-now"] Alongside the trench coat was a letter that reads, "...during these extraordinary times in the making of Matrix Resurrections. Wir lieben euch, Lana & James." Furthermore, parts of the digital rain on the trench coat also appear to make out the word resurrections. The hairstylist mentioned that the gift was from "directors" Lana Wachowski and James McTeigue. However, McTeigue is only listed as producer on IMDB. While it's important to take these leaks with a grain of salt, the hairstylist in question is in fact listed as The Matrix 4's Key Hairstylist: Germany. The Matrix 4, or possibly The Matrix Resurrections, will be released in theaters and on HBO Max on December 22, 2021. While Laurence Fishburne has said he won't be returning as Morpheus, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will be reprising their roles as Neo and Trinity, respectively. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/20/keanu-reeves-and-carrie-anne-moss-join-matrix-4-ign-now"] [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.

According to a new leak, the title for The Matrix 4 is allegedly The Matrix Resurrections. As reported by Yahoo, the title comes via a gift sent to a hairstylist from The Matrix 4, which was a trench coat featuring The Matrix's iconic digital rain. The hairstylist shared the gift in a now deleted Instagram post, but it was saved by those like YouTuber NeoMatrixology. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/matrix-4-dune-more-2021-movies-coming-to-hbo-max-ign-now"] Alongside the trench coat was a letter that reads, "...during these extraordinary times in the making of Matrix Resurrections. Wir lieben euch, Lana & James." Furthermore, parts of the digital rain on the trench coat also appear to make out the word resurrections. The hairstylist mentioned that the gift was from "directors" Lana Wachowski and James McTeigue. However, McTeigue is only listed as producer on IMDB. While it's important to take these leaks with a grain of salt, the hairstylist in question is in fact listed as The Matrix 4's Key Hairstylist: Germany. The Matrix 4, or possibly The Matrix Resurrections, will be released in theaters and on HBO Max on December 22, 2021. While Laurence Fishburne has said he won't be returning as Morpheus, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will be reprising their roles as Neo and Trinity, respectively. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/20/keanu-reeves-and-carrie-anne-moss-join-matrix-4-ign-now"] [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.