Monthly Archives: January 2021

LEGO Ideas Metroid Set Reveals Huge Ridley Add-On in Fan-Created Project

A fan-created LEGO set featuring characters from the Metroid franchise received another milestone update today as Ridley has now been added to the project. It features fully articulating arms, legs, a tail, and head, and can even grab minifigures in its hands. First featured in 1994's Super Metroid, Ridley has been one of bounty hunter Samus Aran's longtime arch nemeses throughout the series, appearing in many subsequent games and even becoming a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate after being one of the most-requested characters for years. But this LEGO creation might be one of Ridley's coolest iterations yet. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=lego-metroid-fan-project&captions=true"] The project by user L-DI-EGO actually began in May 2020, but has received a steady stream of updates as more supporters have backed the project, including multiple helmet styles for Samus, space pirate variants, and an alternate Hunter-class gunship variant seen in the Metroid Prime series. LEGO Ideas is a website where master builders can submit their ideas and if 10,000 people support the project it will be reviewed by a panel of LEGO experts and potentially be made into a real set. At any given time there can be hundreds of pop culture-inspired submissions that fans have created. One of the more popular LEGO Ideas to gain traction recently and become an official set was the Friends-themed Central Perk set that was released in 2019 to celebrate Friends' 25th anniversary. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=17-images-of-the-friends-lego-set&captions=true"] Merely gaining 10,000 followers doesn't guarantee an official set will be produced, however. A LEGO Ideas creation featuring a small diorama from Untitled Goose Game achieved the needed backers, but was ultimately passed on by The LEGO Company after review. Nintendo surprised many when it announced a Super Mario-themed LEGO crossover series of interactive playsets last year. A new batch of LEGO Super Mario expansion sets were announced recently that are expected to launch this year and will include Chain Chomps, Wigglers, a Tanooki suit, and more. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/17/lego-super-mario-series-2-expansion-sets-trailer"] Many longtime Nintendo fans were delighted to receive an official LEGO playset featuring an NES complete with controller and Super Mario Bros. cartridge along with a "playable" retro-style TV that released last year, as well. If you want to support this Metroid-themed LEGO set in the hopes that it may one day become a reality make sure to head over to the LEGO Ideas page and show it some love. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matthew Adler is a Features, News, Previews, Reviews, and Wikis writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

Valve, Capcom, Bethesda Fined $9.4 Million by EU for ‘Geo-Blocking’

The European Commission has fined Valve, Capcom, Bandai Namco, Focus Home, Koch Media, and ZeniMax a combined €7.8 million (~ USD 9.4 million) over the practice of “geo-blocking,” which the Commission says breaks European Union antitrust rules. Geo-blocking is the practice in which a platform holder like Steam forces users in one country to pay the set video game price for only that country, instead of allowing them to purchase the game somewhere else within Europe where it might be cheaper. In a press release, the European Commission says PC platform Steam and the five previously listed publishers restricted cross-border sales of PC games based on geographical location with the European Economic Area (EEA). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2015/06/02/steam-introduces-refund-system-ign-news"] The five publishers have agreed to cooperate with the Commission and saw a reduced fine, whereas Valve “chose not to cooperate” and was fined over €1.6 million (~ USD 1.9 million). Today’s sanctions against the ‘geo-blocking’ practices of Valve and five PC video game publishers serve as a reminder that under EU competition law, companies are prohibited from contractually restricting cross-border sales,” executive vice president Margrethe Vestager said in a statement on today’s fines. “Such practices deprive European consumers of the benefits of the EU Digital Single Market and the opportunity to shop around for the most suitable offer in the EU.” Valve was previously fined AUD 3 million by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2016 over what the country says was “false or misleading representations under the Australian Consumer Law” with Valve’s refund policies. At the time Steam did not have a refund system but introduced one in 2015. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Valve, Capcom, Bethesda Fined $9.4 Million by EU for ‘Geo-Blocking’

The European Commission has fined Valve, Capcom, Bandai Namco, Focus Home, Koch Media, and ZeniMax a combined €7.8 million (~ USD 9.4 million) over the practice of “geo-blocking,” which the Commission says breaks European Union antitrust rules. Geo-blocking is the practice in which a platform holder like Steam forces users in one country to pay the set video game price for only that country, instead of allowing them to purchase the game somewhere else within Europe where it might be cheaper. In a press release, the European Commission says PC platform Steam and the five previously listed publishers restricted cross-border sales of PC games based on geographical location with the European Economic Area (EEA). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2015/06/02/steam-introduces-refund-system-ign-news"] The five publishers have agreed to cooperate with the Commission and saw a reduced fine, whereas Valve “chose not to cooperate” and was fined over €1.6 million (~ USD 1.9 million). Today’s sanctions against the ‘geo-blocking’ practices of Valve and five PC video game publishers serve as a reminder that under EU competition law, companies are prohibited from contractually restricting cross-border sales,” executive vice president Margrethe Vestager said in a statement on today’s fines. “Such practices deprive European consumers of the benefits of the EU Digital Single Market and the opportunity to shop around for the most suitable offer in the EU.” Valve was previously fined AUD 3 million by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2016 over what the country says was “false or misleading representations under the Australian Consumer Law” with Valve’s refund policies. At the time Steam did not have a refund system but introduced one in 2015. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

What PlayStation Franchises Should Return on PS5?

On this week's episode of IGN's PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Brian Altano, Max Scoville, and Mitchell Saltzman to discuss why Hitman 3 is one of 2021's first great games, as well as what PlayStation franchises we hope make a return on PS5. With more word that a new Sony studio is working on bringing back existing Sony series, we discuss the likelihood of various franchises, from Uncharted to Infamous to Ape Escape, making a debut on PS5. Watch the episode above! [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-ps5-games&captions=true"] Podcast Beyond! is live every Wednesday. For more on PS5, check out our PS5 console review and our PS5 wiki guide for tips on how to best use your system. And for more Beyond, be sure to watch the first episode of our Bloodborne let's play! [poilib element="poll" parameters="id=f72748d4-3754-4213-a27e-66173a199a56"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

What PlayStation Franchises Should Return on PS5?

On this week's episode of IGN's PlayStation show, Podcast Beyond!, host Jonathon Dornbush is joined by Brian Altano, Max Scoville, and Mitchell Saltzman to discuss why Hitman 3 is one of 2021's first great games, as well as what PlayStation franchises we hope make a return on PS5. With more word that a new Sony studio is working on bringing back existing Sony series, we discuss the likelihood of various franchises, from Uncharted to Infamous to Ape Escape, making a debut on PS5. Watch the episode above! [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-ps5-games&captions=true"] Podcast Beyond! is live every Wednesday. For more on PS5, check out our PS5 console review and our PS5 wiki guide for tips on how to best use your system. And for more Beyond, be sure to watch the first episode of our Bloodborne let's play! [poilib element="poll" parameters="id=f72748d4-3754-4213-a27e-66173a199a56"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

Everything Coming to Disney+ in February 2021

To kick things off, Disney+ is releasing four new episodes of WandaVision every Friday in February (See our full WandaVision Season 1 release schedule here). In our review of WandaVision's two-part Season 1 premiere, we called it " a good introduction to the MCU's most high-concept idea so far, but is more set-up than plot." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/15/wandavision-episodes-1-and-2-review"] The streamer is also dropping all five seasons of the original Muppet Show on February 19. On the movie front, Disney+ is debuting Flora and Ulysses on February 19. Per Disney, the film is "based on the Newbery Award-winning book about 10-year old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, whose parents have recently separated. After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers which take them on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Flora's life--and her outlook--forever." Check out the slideshow gallery below for a spotlight of some of the most notable February Disney+ releases, followed by the full list: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=disney-spotlight-february-2021&captions=true"]

Friday, February 5

  • Disney My Music Story: Yoshiki
  • Disney Upside-Down Magic
  • Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks (s7)
  • WandaVision Episode 5

Friday, February 12

  • Life Below Zero: The Next Generation (s1)
  • Marvel Battleworld: Mystery of the Thanostones (s1)
  • Marvel’s Behind the Mask
  • WandaVision Episode 6
  • Inside Pixar: Portraits

Friday, February 19

  • The Book of Life
  • Cheaper by the Dozen
  • Cheaper by the Dozen 2
  • The Muppet Show (s1)
  • The Muppet Show (s2)
  • The Muppet Show (s3)
  • The Muppet Show (s4)
  • The Muppet Show (s5)
  • Flora & Ulysses
  • WandaVision Episode 7

Friday, February 26

  • Car Sos (s8)
  • Disney Channel Games 2008 (s1)
  • Disney Illuminations Firework Show Disneyland Paris
  • Disney Pair of Kings (s1)
  • Disney Pair of Kings (s2)
  • Disney Pair of Kings (s3)
  • Disney Roll it Back (s1)
  • Disney’s American Dragon: Jake Long (s1)
  • Disney’s American Dragon: Jake Long (s2)
  • Mickey Go Local (s1)
  • Okavango: River of Dreams
  • Secrets of Sulphur Springs (First 5 Episodes)
  • Shanghai Disney Resort Grand Opening Gala
  • Myth: A Frozen Tale
  • WandaVision Episode 8
[poilib element="accentDivider"] David Griffin still watches DuckTales in his pajamas with a cereal bowl in hand. He's also the TV Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.

Everything Coming to Disney+ in February 2021

To kick things off, Disney+ is releasing four new episodes of WandaVision every Friday in February (See our full WandaVision Season 1 release schedule here). In our review of WandaVision's two-part Season 1 premiere, we called it " a good introduction to the MCU's most high-concept idea so far, but is more set-up than plot." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/15/wandavision-episodes-1-and-2-review"] The streamer is also dropping all five seasons of the original Muppet Show on February 19. On the movie front, Disney+ is debuting Flora and Ulysses on February 19. Per Disney, the film is "based on the Newbery Award-winning book about 10-year old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, whose parents have recently separated. After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover he possesses unique superhero powers which take them on an adventure of humorous complications that ultimately change Flora's life--and her outlook--forever." Check out the slideshow gallery below for a spotlight of some of the most notable February Disney+ releases, followed by the full list: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=disney-spotlight-february-2021&captions=true"]

Friday, February 5

  • Disney My Music Story: Yoshiki
  • Disney Upside-Down Magic
  • Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks (s7)
  • WandaVision Episode 5

Friday, February 12

  • Life Below Zero: The Next Generation (s1)
  • Marvel Battleworld: Mystery of the Thanostones (s1)
  • Marvel’s Behind the Mask
  • WandaVision Episode 6
  • Inside Pixar: Portraits

Friday, February 19

  • The Book of Life
  • Cheaper by the Dozen
  • Cheaper by the Dozen 2
  • The Muppet Show (s1)
  • The Muppet Show (s2)
  • The Muppet Show (s3)
  • The Muppet Show (s4)
  • The Muppet Show (s5)
  • Flora & Ulysses
  • WandaVision Episode 7

Friday, February 26

  • Car Sos (s8)
  • Disney Channel Games 2008 (s1)
  • Disney Illuminations Firework Show Disneyland Paris
  • Disney Pair of Kings (s1)
  • Disney Pair of Kings (s2)
  • Disney Pair of Kings (s3)
  • Disney Roll it Back (s1)
  • Disney’s American Dragon: Jake Long (s1)
  • Disney’s American Dragon: Jake Long (s2)
  • Mickey Go Local (s1)
  • Okavango: River of Dreams
  • Secrets of Sulphur Springs (First 5 Episodes)
  • Shanghai Disney Resort Grand Opening Gala
  • Myth: A Frozen Tale
  • WandaVision Episode 8
[poilib element="accentDivider"] David Griffin still watches DuckTales in his pajamas with a cereal bowl in hand. He's also the TV Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.

IGN & Friends to Play Among Us for Charity Live Stream

Do you like friends? Do you like giving? And do you like both in a COVID-safe environment for a good cause? In celebration of gaming, friendship, and community, IGN’s Stella Chung & Akeem Lawanson are teaming up with our friends in the gaming and entertainment industry to play some Among Us! Join us for a night of backstabbing and hilarity on Friday, January 22nd at 7 p.m. PT to help us raise funds for Child's Play -- a game industry charity that, in their own words, is "dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in a network of over 220 facilities worldwide, including hospitals and domestic abuse shelters." You can contribute to our fundraising at donate.IGN.com. Our Friendsgiving Among Us guest list includes: To join in on the fun, you can watch the Among Us charity stream on IGN.comIGN's YouTubeIGN's Twitch, and IGN's Twitter page. Some of our guests will also be streaming from their own channels, so if you would like to watch along with the games of Among Us from their perspectives, you can watch: AmongUsCharityStream_social2 Want your suspicions to be heard? Submit a donation through IGN's Tiltify fundraising campaign for Child's Play for a chance to have your comment read by our hosts during the stream! As a bonus, if you do donate to Child's Play, you have a chance to win a number of potential prizes contributed by our friends from around the industry. Check out the full list of prizes you can win below, and read the full sweepstakes terms and conditions at donate.ign.com/terms. Donations of $100 or more are eligible to win:
  • Razer Raptor 27" Gaming Monitor
  • Razer PC Gaming Gear Prize Pack (DeathAdder V2 Pro, Blackwidow V3 Pro, Blackshark V2 Pro)
  • Hulkbuster Statue by Bluefin Collectibles and Sentinel
  • WizKids' WarLock Tiles Bundle
Donations of $50 or more are eligible to win:
  • Razer Xbox Gaming Gear Prize Pack (Razer Kaira Pro and Wolverine Ultimate)
  • Mondo Prize Pack (Batman and Batman Returns soundtracks on vinyl, Thor: Ragnarok puzzle, Unmatched: Jurrasic Park board game, Jaws tiki mug, Mat-At-Arms 1/6 Scale Figure, and The Witcher enamel pins)
  • Watch Dogs Legion Collector's Edition for PS4
  • Dungeons & Dragons Frostmaiden Prize Pack from Wizards of the Coast
  • S.H.MonsterArts Monster Hunter Figures Prize Pack by Bluefin Collectibles and Tamashii Nations
Donations of $20 or more are eligible to win:
  • Paramount Home Entertainment Prize Pack (Sonic the Hedgehog 4K UHD, Love and Monsters 4K UHD, Spell Blu-ray, Godfather Coda Blu-ray)
  • WizKids' Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Prize Pack
  • Transformers Model Kits Prize Pack by Bluefin Collectibles and Flame Toys
  • DC Multiverse 7" Figures Prize Pack by McFarlane Toys
  • Mortal Kombat 2, 3, 4, 7 7" Figures Prize Pack by McFarlane Toys
  • My Hero Academia 7" Figures Prize Pack by McFarlane Toys
  • Injustice Gods Among Us - Darkseid by Bluefin Collectibles and Storm Collectibles
  • Imagination Works Goku by Bluefin Collectibles and Tamashii Nations
  • Gears of War – The Warden by Bluefin Collectibles and Storm Collectibles
Donations of $10 or more are eligible to win:
  • Ubisoft Digital Game Code (Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Immortals Fenyx Rising, The Division 2 & Warlords of New York Expansion, The Settlers History Collection or Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game - Complete Edition)
  • The Last of Us Part 2 Soundtrack on Vinyl from Mondo
  • Pokemon Model Kits Prize Pack by Bluefin Collectibles and Bandai Hobby
The giveaway hosted by IGN is not administrated, sponsored, or endorsed by Razer, Paramount Home Entertainment, McFarlane Toys, Bluefin Collectibles, Mondo, Ubisoft, or Wizards of the Coast.

IGN & Friends to Play Among Us for Charity Live Stream

Do you like friends? Do you like giving? And do you like both in a COVID-safe environment for a good cause? In celebration of gaming, friendship, and community, IGN’s Stella Chung & Akeem Lawanson are teaming up with our friends in the gaming and entertainment industry to play some Among Us! Join us for a night of backstabbing and hilarity on Friday, January 22nd at 7 p.m. PT to help us raise funds for Child's Play -- a game industry charity that, in their own words, is "dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in a network of over 220 facilities worldwide, including hospitals and domestic abuse shelters." You can contribute to our fundraising at donate.IGN.com. Our Friendsgiving Among Us guest list includes: To join in on the fun, you can watch the Among Us charity stream on IGN.comIGN's YouTubeIGN's Twitch, and IGN's Twitter page. Some of our guests will also be streaming from their own channels, so if you would like to watch along with the games of Among Us from their perspectives, you can watch: AmongUsCharityStream_social2 Want your suspicions to be heard? Submit a donation through IGN's Tiltify fundraising campaign for Child's Play for a chance to have your comment read by our hosts during the stream! As a bonus, if you do donate to Child's Play, you have a chance to win a number of potential prizes contributed by our friends from around the industry. Check out the full list of prizes you can win below, and read the full sweepstakes terms and conditions at donate.ign.com/terms. Donations of $100 or more are eligible to win:
  • Razer Raptor 27" Gaming Monitor
  • Razer PC Gaming Gear Prize Pack (DeathAdder V2 Pro, Blackwidow V3 Pro, Blackshark V2 Pro)
  • Hulkbuster Statue by Bluefin Collectibles and Sentinel
  • WizKids' WarLock Tiles Bundle
Donations of $50 or more are eligible to win:
  • Razer Xbox Gaming Gear Prize Pack (Razer Kaira Pro and Wolverine Ultimate)
  • Mondo Prize Pack (Batman and Batman Returns soundtracks on vinyl, Thor: Ragnarok puzzle, Unmatched: Jurrasic Park board game, Jaws tiki mug, Mat-At-Arms 1/6 Scale Figure, and The Witcher enamel pins)
  • Watch Dogs Legion Collector's Edition for PS4
  • Dungeons & Dragons Frostmaiden Prize Pack from Wizards of the Coast
  • S.H.MonsterArts Monster Hunter Figures Prize Pack by Bluefin Collectibles and Tamashii Nations
Donations of $20 or more are eligible to win:
  • Paramount Home Entertainment Prize Pack (Sonic the Hedgehog 4K UHD, Love and Monsters 4K UHD, Spell Blu-ray, Godfather Coda Blu-ray)
  • WizKids' Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Prize Pack
  • Transformers Model Kits Prize Pack by Bluefin Collectibles and Flame Toys
  • DC Multiverse 7" Figures Prize Pack by McFarlane Toys
  • Mortal Kombat 2, 3, 4, 7 7" Figures Prize Pack by McFarlane Toys
  • My Hero Academia 7" Figures Prize Pack by McFarlane Toys
  • Injustice Gods Among Us - Darkseid by Bluefin Collectibles and Storm Collectibles
  • Imagination Works Goku by Bluefin Collectibles and Tamashii Nations
  • Gears of War – The Warden by Bluefin Collectibles and Storm Collectibles
Donations of $10 or more are eligible to win:
  • Ubisoft Digital Game Code (Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Immortals Fenyx Rising, The Division 2 & Warlords of New York Expansion, The Settlers History Collection or Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game - Complete Edition)
  • The Last of Us Part 2 Soundtrack on Vinyl from Mondo
  • Pokemon Model Kits Prize Pack by Bluefin Collectibles and Bandai Hobby
The giveaway hosted by IGN is not administrated, sponsored, or endorsed by Razer, Paramount Home Entertainment, McFarlane Toys, Bluefin Collectibles, Mondo, Ubisoft, or Wizards of the Coast.

Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow Turns Peter Parker Into Venom

The birth of Venom is easily one of the most iconic moments in the iconic Spider-Man saga, but what if that story took a different turn? What if Peter Parker remained bonded to his symbiote costume, thereby becoming Venom instead of his rival Eddie Brock? That scenario will form the basis of a new alternate reality story called Spider-Man: Spider's Shadow. Spider's Shadow is the latest Spider-Man project from writer Chip Zdarsky, who previously worked on Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man and the critically lauded Spider-Man: Life Story. Zdarsky is teaming with artist Pasqual Ferry (Thor), colorist Matt Hollingsworth (Hawkeye) and cover artist Phil Noto (Star Wars). Check out Noto's cover to issue #1 below: SMSPIDERSHADOW2021001_cov Traditionally, the birth of Venom occurs after Spider-Man discovers his black costume is actually a living, parasitic symbiote and rejects it, causing the symbiote to flee and find a more willing host in Eddie Brock. But in the tradition of Marvel's What If? comics, Spider's Shadow shows an alternate universe where Peter fails to separate from the symbiote and instead becomes Venom himself. What happens when New York's greatest hero becomes its lethal protector? “I’m thrilled to be kicking off a new era of 'WHAT IF' stories with this tale of a Spider-Man gone bad!" said Zdarsky in Marvel's press release. "How bad will he be? Will he have a goatee and no hyphen in his name? Pick up issue one to find out!" Zdarsky continued, "But seriously, I feel that with SPIDER’S SHADOW we’re exploring some dark situations with Spidey and the Marvel Universe, while making it cool and fun to read. I think longtime fans will love it and new readers will be amazed at what Marvel lets us do. Pasqual and Matt are producing amazing work on this book. When every page comes in, I share them with all of my friends even though Marvel says I’m not allowed to do that.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=what-is-marvels-what-if-the-disney-plus-animated-series-explained&captions=true"] While Zdarsky's comments seem to imply the series officially falls under the What If? banner, IGN confirmed with Marvel that Spider's Shadow is a standalone project and the What If? name is simply being used as a point of comparison. In fact, 1989's What If? #4 already explored a hypothetical scenario where Peter permanently bonds with the symbiote. But with Spider's Shadow clocking in at four issues rather than one, Zdarsky and Ferry will be able to explore that plot twist in far greater depth. Spider-Man: Spider's Shadow #1 is scheduled for release in April 2021. That also happens to be the month Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman are wrapping up their Venom run with the Venom #200 anniversary special. Spider's Shadow isn't the only alternate universe saga Marvel fans can look forward to in 2021. The animated series Marvel's What If... will premiere on Disney+ this summer, giving MCU fans glimpses of various alternate realities wherein Peggy Carter becomes Captain America and T'Challa becomes Star-Lord. Be sure to check out IGN's full breakdown of what to expect from Marvel in 2021. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/04/what-to-expect-from-marvel-in-2021"] [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.