An original Pokémon Trading Card Game Booster Box has sold at auction for a record-breaking $408,000.

The shrink-wrapped booster box, a First Edition Base Set from the original 1999 launch, sold at a Heritage Auctions event in Dallas, Texas this past Thursday. The box includes 102 base cards, including the similarly rare original Charizard card, copies of which have recently sold for anywhere between $150,000 to $220,000. The First Edition Base Set is increasingly rare thanks to its limited printing.

The box also contains 36 booster packs, each with 11 cards, for a grand total of 396 cards, all of which are likely gem mint condition thanks to its shrinkwrap.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-pokemon-review-ever&captions=true"]

Heritage Auctions also auctioned off a total of 16 Pokemon-related lots during its four-day Comics and Comic Art Auction, which runs through Sunday. Heritage Auctions’ Pokémon lots garnered a total of $1.3 million.

If for any reason you want to snag the booster box, its owner is currently considering offers starting at $468,000.

Heritage Auctions previously sold a similar Pokémon booster box in November last year for $360,000.

Similarly in the world of Pokémon TCG, rapper Logic purchased a holographic Charizard card for $220,000 late last year, setting a record for the most costly individual Pokémon card purchase.

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/trainer for IGN.

An original Pokémon Trading Card Game Booster Box has sold at auction for a record-breaking $408,000.

The shrink-wrapped booster box, a First Edition Base Set from the original 1999 launch, sold at a Heritage Auctions event in Dallas, Texas this past Thursday. The box includes 102 base cards, including the similarly rare original Charizard card, copies of which have recently sold for anywhere between $150,000 to $220,000. The First Edition Base Set is increasingly rare thanks to its limited printing.

The box also contains 36 booster packs, each with 11 cards, for a grand total of 396 cards, all of which are likely gem mint condition thanks to its shrinkwrap.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-pokemon-review-ever&captions=true"]

Heritage Auctions also auctioned off a total of 16 Pokemon-related lots during its four-day Comics and Comic Art Auction, which runs through Sunday. Heritage Auctions’ Pokémon lots garnered a total of $1.3 million.

If for any reason you want to snag the booster box, its owner is currently considering offers starting at $468,000.

Heritage Auctions previously sold a similar Pokémon booster box in November last year for $360,000.

Similarly in the world of Pokémon TCG, rapper Logic purchased a holographic Charizard card for $220,000 late last year, setting a record for the most costly individual Pokémon card purchase.

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/trainer for IGN.

It’s a new year, and a new cycle of game announcements are on the horizon – and many think one of the biggest will be the release of an updated Switch model, the Switch Pro. With rumors continuing to swirl, IGN asked several industry analysts for their predictions on this.

The Nintendo Switch is approaching its fourth year in production, but rumors of multiple Switch upgrades have dogged Nintendo since at least 2019 when multiple reports claimed Nintendo is working on new, upgraded Switch models beyond the base unit and the Switch Lite.

The Wall Street Journal reported in 2019 that Nintendo had plans for further Switch updates to keep the life cycle of the system long, and supply chains have suggested there are plans for “improved” models with better features and screens This doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a “Switch Pro” – after all, Nintendo has already released an updated Switch SKU with longer battery life, but similar components and features as the base model. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/21/nintendo-switch-welcome-to-nintendo-switch-trailer"] When analysts speculate on what features a Switch Pro will, or should, include, it is typically centered on processing power and the capability to play high-resolution, or even 4K games. Analysts and observers have stressed that when the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X launch, Nintendo will need a more powerful device to maintain parity with third-party games and developers. There are also additional factors that weren’t present in 2019 that should be factored into Nintendo’s future hardware plans, namely the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Both analysts and console producers at Sony and Microsoft have said the pandemic could result in hardware delays for the foreseeable future, and new software slated for 2021 is already being pushed back or delayed. One should also take into account the tremendous success Nintendo is seeing with the current Nintendo Switch. Sales for the consoles have consistently beat expectations, and the Switch has been the best-selling console for two years straight. With this kind of momentum, some analysts don’t see a pressing need to introduce a “Pro” model. Update 2/26: Following the Pokemon Presents in February where a new open-world Pokemon spinoff titled Pokemon Legends: Arceus was revealed, the conversations around a possible Switch Pro started trending on social media. The trailer for Pokemon Legends showcased what looks like the first truly open-world Pokemon game from GameFreak. But commenters noted there appear to be some noticeable frame rate drops. Keep in mind the footage revealed today was labeled as in-development and is subject to change and improvement by the time Pokemon Legends is released in 2022. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/pokmon-legends-arceus-official-trailer"] With that said, here are what top analysts think about the possibility of a Switch Pro in 2021. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Serkan Toto; Kantan Games - ‘I think a Switch Pro will come in the second half of 2021’

Toto, a Tokyo-based industry consultant, has been an avid proponent of a Switch Pro for years and feels that 2021 is the right time for a Switch Pro as a way to piggyback off the financial success of the current Switch model, but also to sustain sales going forward. In 2020, the Nintendo president himself shot down the possibility of a Pro launch that year. That was in January, so Covid did not have an influence I believe the momentum was so big already that Nintendo didn't need a Pro model to sustain sales. Fast forward to today, and the momentum is still there, but I think that four years after the launch of the original model, it is now indeed time for a refresh. Nintendo doesn't compete directly with Sony or Microsoft, but they do need third-party support and need to make sure the technological gap between the Switch and the next-gen consoles doesn't make it too hard to create ports for the Switch. It is also a crucial factor in prolonging the life cycle of the device: according to the Nintendo president himself, the Switch is in the middle of its life cycle now, so a new model coming soon would make sense from that perspective. I think a Switch Pro will come in the second half of 2021, and just like the Lite was launched with a new Zelda, the Pro is likely to debut together with a blockbuster title. One key differentiator will be 4K support: I know, nobody needs to see Pikachu in 4K, but Zelda and a bunch of other games would look so much better in higher resolution. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-top-25-switch-games-fall-2020-update&captions=true"]

Michael Pachter; Wedbush Securities - ‘I would err on the side of “no” for this year’

Pachter, a longtime industry analyst and figure is more cautious and says there won’t be a new model this year. However, Pachter doesn’t rule out a new Switch model entirely, either. It’s a close call. Nintendo doesn’t “need” a new model, since the current Switch is selling so well. More likely, it will introduce a new model at the same time as it cuts price on the old one, or more likely, will keep the Switch Lite and cut it to $149 or so with the Switch Pro replacing the normal Switch at $299. I would err on the side of “no” for this year, mostly because they were out of stock on Switch for so long and chose to ramp up production. However, I expect we’ll see a new one next year.

David Cole; DFC Intelligence - ‘Nintendo can accomplish a lot just by making minor tweaks’

Cole of DFC Intelligence, a US-based strategic marketing firm, believes not only that a Switch Pro is unlikely in 2021, but that analysts and observers should re-consider what a “Switch Pro'' will look like. Rather than a massive technological leap with 4K graphics, Cole suggests the Switch Pro will be iterative similar to the improved battery model Nintendo released in 2019 alongside the Switch Lite. Normally we don't like to speculate on unannounced products like a Switch Pro but in this case, I am willing to go on record saying I think it is unlikely there will be a major new console from Nintendo in 2021. However, there may be some tweaks to the existing Switch. Whether that is enough to call it a "new system" or even a Switch Pro, I think is unlikely. There are lots of reasons there is no rush to launch a radical new Nintendo system, but I think the main reason is it doesn't make much business sense. With companies like Nintendo new hardware systems are always in development so rumors run rampant. However, the bottom line is Nintendo has no need to rush a new hardware product to market. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/25/nintendo-switch-lite-available-now-trailer"] The COVID situation changed the market substantially. Nintendo struggled to met unprecedented demand in terms of manufacturing its current Switch system. They have currently caught up but manufacturing is still risky in this environment as it is hard to predict if a flare-up could slow things down again. Given that situation, it does not make sense to risk trying to start manufacturing a totally new system. If you go online you can see all kinds of bundles for Switch hardware, some ranging up to $500. Not just bundled games, but different colors and different themes like Animal Crossing or Fortnite where they can charge a premium. The beauty of the Switch is that it is also a mobile device. That means that a Switch owning family actually is likely to need two or more Switch consoles so each family member can play. So there is still a lot of sales potential among the current installed base. A new Switch Pro type system would basically be a way to get existing Switch owners to upgrade. However, there are more profitable ways for Nintendo to accomplish this. Software and services are far more profitable to Nintendo than new hardware which has a high upfront cost as it goes into initial manufacturing. The goal of Nintendo is to generate more revenue per user. Obviously, a Switch Pro would do that on a raw basis but it would take money away from their existing users who otherwise might be buying more profitable software and services. A lot of the hype comes down to people expecting an entirely new Switch system versus upgrades to the existing system. That is a long way to say that there may be an upgraded Switch in 2021 but consumers expecting a radical change are likely to be disappointed. Nintendo has already made several updates to Switch hardware to take advantage of improvements in technology. I expect they will continue to do so. For marketing purposes, they may call it a Switch Pro but I think if they do consumers will be disappointed so Nintendo may not choose to go that route. What many seem to speculate as Switch Pro/Switch 2 is a powerful system that supports 4K and more. That is what I think is unlikely. From a business perspective, Nintendo can accomplish a lot just by making minor tweaks. At what point that system is called a Switch Pro or a new system is the issue. Our bet on Nintendo is that we will see a big new software lineup that looks to take advantage of the stay-at-home orders that are causing video game sales to soar. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Nintendo has often kept its hardware plans close to the chest, making it difficult to predict what the company will do next. Consider the leap from the GameCube to the Wii and then to the Switch. While our analysts on the whole agree that the Nintendo Switch cannot remain static, opinions differ on both the timeline for when new Switch models will be released, to what features the new Switch “Pro” might include. With so many questions still left, and a whole year ahead of us, do you believe a Switch Pro will be likely in 2021? And if so will it be a full-throated 4K upgrade or something more modest? [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

It’s a new year, and a new cycle of game announcements are on the horizon – and many think one of the biggest will be the release of an updated Switch model, the Switch Pro. With rumors continuing to swirl, IGN asked several industry analysts for their predictions on this.

The Nintendo Switch is approaching its fourth year in production, but rumors of multiple Switch upgrades have dogged Nintendo since at least 2019 when multiple reports claimed Nintendo is working on new, upgraded Switch models beyond the base unit and the Switch Lite.

The Wall Street Journal reported in 2019 that Nintendo had plans for further Switch updates to keep the life cycle of the system long, and supply chains have suggested there are plans for “improved” models with better features and screens This doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a “Switch Pro” – after all, Nintendo has already released an updated Switch SKU with longer battery life, but similar components and features as the base model. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/21/nintendo-switch-welcome-to-nintendo-switch-trailer"] When analysts speculate on what features a Switch Pro will, or should, include, it is typically centered on processing power and the capability to play high-resolution, or even 4K games. Analysts and observers have stressed that when the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X launch, Nintendo will need a more powerful device to maintain parity with third-party games and developers. There are also additional factors that weren’t present in 2019 that should be factored into Nintendo’s future hardware plans, namely the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Both analysts and console producers at Sony and Microsoft have said the pandemic could result in hardware delays for the foreseeable future, and new software slated for 2021 is already being pushed back or delayed. One should also take into account the tremendous success Nintendo is seeing with the current Nintendo Switch. Sales for the consoles have consistently beat expectations, and the Switch has been the best-selling console for two years straight. With this kind of momentum, some analysts don’t see a pressing need to introduce a “Pro” model. Update 2/26: Following the Pokemon Presents in February where a new open-world Pokemon spinoff titled Pokemon Legends: Arceus was revealed, the conversations around a possible Switch Pro started trending on social media. The trailer for Pokemon Legends showcased what looks like the first truly open-world Pokemon game from GameFreak. But commenters noted there appear to be some noticeable frame rate drops. Keep in mind the footage revealed today was labeled as in-development and is subject to change and improvement by the time Pokemon Legends is released in 2022. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/26/pokmon-legends-arceus-official-trailer"] With that said, here are what top analysts think about the possibility of a Switch Pro in 2021. [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Serkan Toto; Kantan Games - ‘I think a Switch Pro will come in the second half of 2021’

Toto, a Tokyo-based industry consultant, has been an avid proponent of a Switch Pro for years and feels that 2021 is the right time for a Switch Pro as a way to piggyback off the financial success of the current Switch model, but also to sustain sales going forward. In 2020, the Nintendo president himself shot down the possibility of a Pro launch that year. That was in January, so Covid did not have an influence I believe the momentum was so big already that Nintendo didn't need a Pro model to sustain sales. Fast forward to today, and the momentum is still there, but I think that four years after the launch of the original model, it is now indeed time for a refresh. Nintendo doesn't compete directly with Sony or Microsoft, but they do need third-party support and need to make sure the technological gap between the Switch and the next-gen consoles doesn't make it too hard to create ports for the Switch. It is also a crucial factor in prolonging the life cycle of the device: according to the Nintendo president himself, the Switch is in the middle of its life cycle now, so a new model coming soon would make sense from that perspective. I think a Switch Pro will come in the second half of 2021, and just like the Lite was launched with a new Zelda, the Pro is likely to debut together with a blockbuster title. One key differentiator will be 4K support: I know, nobody needs to see Pikachu in 4K, but Zelda and a bunch of other games would look so much better in higher resolution. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-top-25-switch-games-fall-2020-update&captions=true"]

Michael Pachter; Wedbush Securities - ‘I would err on the side of “no” for this year’

Pachter, a longtime industry analyst and figure is more cautious and says there won’t be a new model this year. However, Pachter doesn’t rule out a new Switch model entirely, either. It’s a close call. Nintendo doesn’t “need” a new model, since the current Switch is selling so well. More likely, it will introduce a new model at the same time as it cuts price on the old one, or more likely, will keep the Switch Lite and cut it to $149 or so with the Switch Pro replacing the normal Switch at $299. I would err on the side of “no” for this year, mostly because they were out of stock on Switch for so long and chose to ramp up production. However, I expect we’ll see a new one next year.

David Cole; DFC Intelligence - ‘Nintendo can accomplish a lot just by making minor tweaks’

Cole of DFC Intelligence, a US-based strategic marketing firm, believes not only that a Switch Pro is unlikely in 2021, but that analysts and observers should re-consider what a “Switch Pro'' will look like. Rather than a massive technological leap with 4K graphics, Cole suggests the Switch Pro will be iterative similar to the improved battery model Nintendo released in 2019 alongside the Switch Lite. Normally we don't like to speculate on unannounced products like a Switch Pro but in this case, I am willing to go on record saying I think it is unlikely there will be a major new console from Nintendo in 2021. However, there may be some tweaks to the existing Switch. Whether that is enough to call it a "new system" or even a Switch Pro, I think is unlikely. There are lots of reasons there is no rush to launch a radical new Nintendo system, but I think the main reason is it doesn't make much business sense. With companies like Nintendo new hardware systems are always in development so rumors run rampant. However, the bottom line is Nintendo has no need to rush a new hardware product to market. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/09/25/nintendo-switch-lite-available-now-trailer"] The COVID situation changed the market substantially. Nintendo struggled to met unprecedented demand in terms of manufacturing its current Switch system. They have currently caught up but manufacturing is still risky in this environment as it is hard to predict if a flare-up could slow things down again. Given that situation, it does not make sense to risk trying to start manufacturing a totally new system. If you go online you can see all kinds of bundles for Switch hardware, some ranging up to $500. Not just bundled games, but different colors and different themes like Animal Crossing or Fortnite where they can charge a premium. The beauty of the Switch is that it is also a mobile device. That means that a Switch owning family actually is likely to need two or more Switch consoles so each family member can play. So there is still a lot of sales potential among the current installed base. A new Switch Pro type system would basically be a way to get existing Switch owners to upgrade. However, there are more profitable ways for Nintendo to accomplish this. Software and services are far more profitable to Nintendo than new hardware which has a high upfront cost as it goes into initial manufacturing. The goal of Nintendo is to generate more revenue per user. Obviously, a Switch Pro would do that on a raw basis but it would take money away from their existing users who otherwise might be buying more profitable software and services. A lot of the hype comes down to people expecting an entirely new Switch system versus upgrades to the existing system. That is a long way to say that there may be an upgraded Switch in 2021 but consumers expecting a radical change are likely to be disappointed. Nintendo has already made several updates to Switch hardware to take advantage of improvements in technology. I expect they will continue to do so. For marketing purposes, they may call it a Switch Pro but I think if they do consumers will be disappointed so Nintendo may not choose to go that route. What many seem to speculate as Switch Pro/Switch 2 is a powerful system that supports 4K and more. That is what I think is unlikely. From a business perspective, Nintendo can accomplish a lot just by making minor tweaks. At what point that system is called a Switch Pro or a new system is the issue. Our bet on Nintendo is that we will see a big new software lineup that looks to take advantage of the stay-at-home orders that are causing video game sales to soar. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Nintendo has often kept its hardware plans close to the chest, making it difficult to predict what the company will do next. Consider the leap from the GameCube to the Wii and then to the Switch. While our analysts on the whole agree that the Nintendo Switch cannot remain static, opinions differ on both the timeline for when new Switch models will be released, to what features the new Switch “Pro” might include. With so many questions still left, and a whole year ahead of us, do you believe a Switch Pro will be likely in 2021? And if so will it be a full-throated 4K upgrade or something more modest? [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Batman star Ben Affleck has packed on the praise for Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, calling him "the greatest producer who ever lived." Speaking on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast, Affleck, who formerly played Batman in Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, and Justice League reflected on his acting career and his various collaborations over the years. In one segment, he commended Feige, who served as a co-producer on 2003's Daredevil movie, for understanding audiences and consistently delivering what they want. "F***ing Kevin Feige is absolutely; you have to say, the greatest producer, most successful producer who ever lived," Affleck declared. "He's the only guy in the world who, if he told me, 'I know what the audience wants! This is what we're doing!' I would believe him 100%." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/20/ben-affleck-will-play-batman-in-the-flash-movie-ign-now"] He added: "That f***er knows his audience like no producer (ever); he's a genius. Kevin is like a ringmaster at the circus; he knows exactly how much to wink at the audience, exactly when to pull at the heartstrings, exactly when to do the effects, how many jokes, what the sensibility, what the tone is. Because people didn't know to run away from the pajamas or embrace it or make it serious." Despite holding Feige in extremely high regard, Affleck doesn't appear to have any current projects lined up with the MCU architect. However, it was previously rumoured that Daredevil may pop up alongside Tom Holland's webslinger in the forthcoming sequel to Spider-Man: Far From Home, which is set to feature an impressive roster of MCU alums and superhero veterans. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/10/is-spider-man-3-also-adding-daredevil"] Charlie Cox, the actor who played Daredevil on the MCU Netflix series as well as The Defenders, has already stated that if the character does make an appearance in Spider-Man's third solo movie, the role won't be played by him as he isn't involved in the interconnected web of a project, which is expected to lead the MCU into 2022's Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. For more on the studio's future slate of projects and releases, read our breakdown of the biggest and most noteworthy developments in the MCU, on Disney+ and in Marvel's comics this year. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Batman star Ben Affleck has packed on the praise for Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, calling him "the greatest producer who ever lived." Speaking on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast, Affleck, who formerly played Batman in Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad, and Justice League reflected on his acting career and his various collaborations over the years. In one segment, he commended Feige, who served as a co-producer on 2003's Daredevil movie, for understanding audiences and consistently delivering what they want. "F***ing Kevin Feige is absolutely; you have to say, the greatest producer, most successful producer who ever lived," Affleck declared. "He's the only guy in the world who, if he told me, 'I know what the audience wants! This is what we're doing!' I would believe him 100%." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/20/ben-affleck-will-play-batman-in-the-flash-movie-ign-now"] He added: "That f***er knows his audience like no producer (ever); he's a genius. Kevin is like a ringmaster at the circus; he knows exactly how much to wink at the audience, exactly when to pull at the heartstrings, exactly when to do the effects, how many jokes, what the sensibility, what the tone is. Because people didn't know to run away from the pajamas or embrace it or make it serious." Despite holding Feige in extremely high regard, Affleck doesn't appear to have any current projects lined up with the MCU architect. However, it was previously rumoured that Daredevil may pop up alongside Tom Holland's webslinger in the forthcoming sequel to Spider-Man: Far From Home, which is set to feature an impressive roster of MCU alums and superhero veterans. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/10/is-spider-man-3-also-adding-daredevil"] Charlie Cox, the actor who played Daredevil on the MCU Netflix series as well as The Defenders, has already stated that if the character does make an appearance in Spider-Man's third solo movie, the role won't be played by him as he isn't involved in the interconnected web of a project, which is expected to lead the MCU into 2022's Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. For more on the studio's future slate of projects and releases, read our breakdown of the biggest and most noteworthy developments in the MCU, on Disney+ and in Marvel's comics this year. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Update: The artist Gabriel Björk Stiernström has since deleted their Elden Ring concept art from their ArtStation account and removed the post on Reddit, though the comments can still be read. Björk Stiernström did not provide a reason for why they removed the artwork from their portfolio, but considering the hunger for any new Elden Ring information, Björk Stiernström's artwork created a sensation in the Elden Ring community. This is despite their disclaimer that they do not have any first-hand knowledge on the project. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Original Story: An artist that worked on the Elden Ring teaser trailer has posted concept art made for it – and made very clear that he has no intimate knowledge of the game. Of course, this being Elden Ring, the community has gone wild with delight nonetheless. It's been genuinely lovely. Posted on his Artstation account, Gabriel Björk Stiernström showed off several concept pieces, along with observations about why they weren't eventually used in the game's E3 announcement trailer. On the Elden Ring subreddit, Stiernström posted a statement to contextualise the work – and cool any speculation about potential new details hidden in the art. He ends that statement by saying, "You can read into the concept art as much as you like, but I really have no knowledge of the game." The images include various takes on the hammering scene we see in the trailer – including a version of the scene covered in tree roots that was described as "too much Dark Souls" – different takes on the scepter and dais being used in that scene, and an 'exploration concept' for what the final hit effect could look like (below). Stiernström explained the process of his work at Digic Pictures, the company tasked with helping to create the hammering scene in the E3 teaser, saying "I had no idea what I was working on". "Most of these were made for internal discussion at Digic Pictures between the Art Director, Director, Producer and Leads," Stiernström continues. "When they were happy with something they would then share those concepts with the client. In the end FromSoftware would more or less provide us with most of the concept art in any case. "I received a brief for each task, but ideas change during production and so does the brief. What you do today is irrelevant tomorrow. Sometimes a brief is very clear and other times it’s open for interpretations. We try to provide our expertise regarding how we can convey the clients wanted mood and style through lighting, animation, composition, camera angles, focal lengths, colors etc." Famously, with so little to go on since that teaser arrived, the Elden Ring community is incredibly hungry for new details, even creating an entire lore for the game themselves as they wait. So, while it might not be the actual Elden Ring, this art is about as close as we've come to official images since that trailer. As you can imagine, it's gone down well among fans, with many thanking Stiernström for the post, calling the artist a hero, and praising the art itself. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/09/elden-ring-official-reveal-trailer-e3-2019"] Of course, others took this as an opportunity to make self-deprecating jokes at the expense of the community, with memes galore appearing shortly after the post. And, of course, there were still those that, despite Stiernström's caveats, went looking for information. GoatKiddclxvi wrote, "Roots everywhere! Indeed, the scene takes place in a tree! Man this is nuts, thank you very much", to which ForeverEqual replied, "That was I first noticed as well. This pretty much confirms the tree theory!" (That theory being that the game draws inspiration from Yggdrasil, the world tree of Norse folklore). Others have taken the unexpected post to mean that internal NDAs around the game are coming to an end, meaning they may get more news in the near future. LentStories wrote "The fact that he has this posted on his official portfolio makes me think he isn't doing this without some kind of permission; either an NDA ending, or direct permission from Fromsoft. Both give me some degree of hope for further news." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/xboxs-phil-spencer-has-played-elden-ring"] Most strikingly, the overriding response, across all the posts I've read, has been one of positivity. It's genuinely a joy to read through the Elden Ring subreddit today, as people celebrate something new to pore over, and build it into the self-reflexive lore the community's built. If this is the response to concept art for a trailer, I can't wait to visit after FromSoftware finally reveals more. So, what do we actually know about Elden Ring? We know it's an open world Soulslike from Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin. Miyazaki says it's an evolution of Dark Souls, and we know that head of Xbox Phil Spencer has played it. Aside from that, it's very much a blank page. Here's hoping 2021 is when it's filled in. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com

Update: The artist Gabriel Björk Stiernström has since deleted their Elden Ring concept art from their ArtStation account and removed the post on Reddit, though the comments can still be read. Björk Stiernström did not provide a reason for why they removed the artwork from their portfolio, but considering the hunger for any new Elden Ring information, Björk Stiernström's artwork created a sensation in the Elden Ring community. This is despite their disclaimer that they do not have any first-hand knowledge on the project. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Original Story: An artist that worked on the Elden Ring teaser trailer has posted concept art made for it – and made very clear that he has no intimate knowledge of the game. Of course, this being Elden Ring, the community has gone wild with delight nonetheless. It's been genuinely lovely. Posted on his Artstation account, Gabriel Björk Stiernström showed off several concept pieces, along with observations about why they weren't eventually used in the game's E3 announcement trailer. On the Elden Ring subreddit, Stiernström posted a statement to contextualise the work – and cool any speculation about potential new details hidden in the art. He ends that statement by saying, "You can read into the concept art as much as you like, but I really have no knowledge of the game." The images include various takes on the hammering scene we see in the trailer – including a version of the scene covered in tree roots that was described as "too much Dark Souls" – different takes on the scepter and dais being used in that scene, and an 'exploration concept' for what the final hit effect could look like (below). Stiernström explained the process of his work at Digic Pictures, the company tasked with helping to create the hammering scene in the E3 teaser, saying "I had no idea what I was working on". "Most of these were made for internal discussion at Digic Pictures between the Art Director, Director, Producer and Leads," Stiernström continues. "When they were happy with something they would then share those concepts with the client. In the end FromSoftware would more or less provide us with most of the concept art in any case. "I received a brief for each task, but ideas change during production and so does the brief. What you do today is irrelevant tomorrow. Sometimes a brief is very clear and other times it’s open for interpretations. We try to provide our expertise regarding how we can convey the clients wanted mood and style through lighting, animation, composition, camera angles, focal lengths, colors etc." Famously, with so little to go on since that teaser arrived, the Elden Ring community is incredibly hungry for new details, even creating an entire lore for the game themselves as they wait. So, while it might not be the actual Elden Ring, this art is about as close as we've come to official images since that trailer. As you can imagine, it's gone down well among fans, with many thanking Stiernström for the post, calling the artist a hero, and praising the art itself. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/09/elden-ring-official-reveal-trailer-e3-2019"] Of course, others took this as an opportunity to make self-deprecating jokes at the expense of the community, with memes galore appearing shortly after the post. And, of course, there were still those that, despite Stiernström's caveats, went looking for information. GoatKiddclxvi wrote, "Roots everywhere! Indeed, the scene takes place in a tree! Man this is nuts, thank you very much", to which ForeverEqual replied, "That was I first noticed as well. This pretty much confirms the tree theory!" (That theory being that the game draws inspiration from Yggdrasil, the world tree of Norse folklore). Others have taken the unexpected post to mean that internal NDAs around the game are coming to an end, meaning they may get more news in the near future. LentStories wrote "The fact that he has this posted on his official portfolio makes me think he isn't doing this without some kind of permission; either an NDA ending, or direct permission from Fromsoft. Both give me some degree of hope for further news." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/xboxs-phil-spencer-has-played-elden-ring"] Most strikingly, the overriding response, across all the posts I've read, has been one of positivity. It's genuinely a joy to read through the Elden Ring subreddit today, as people celebrate something new to pore over, and build it into the self-reflexive lore the community's built. If this is the response to concept art for a trailer, I can't wait to visit after FromSoftware finally reveals more. So, what do we actually know about Elden Ring? We know it's an open world Soulslike from Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones writer George R.R. Martin. Miyazaki says it's an evolution of Dark Souls, and we know that head of Xbox Phil Spencer has played it. Aside from that, it's very much a blank page. Here's hoping 2021 is when it's filled in. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com

This story contains potential spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Images of what appear to be an upcoming action figure based on a character from Disney+ show The Falcon and The Winter Soldier may have revealed a significant plot detail. The figure, if genuine, does spoil what could be a major moment for the show, so we advise not reading ahead should you wish to remain in the dark. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/11/marvels-falcon-and-the-winter-soldier-official-trailer-1"] The new photos, which were posted to Twitter by account BRMarvelNews, show a Hasbro action figure of Sam Wilson dressed in a Captain America costume. The name badge on the toy’s packaging reads Captain America rather than Wilson’s more familiar superhero title, The Falcon. In addition, the packaging features an image of actor Anthony Mackie as Wilson dressed in the Captain America costume.

O uniforme do novo Capitão América!!

Um vazamento da linha de brinquedos de "The Falcon and The Winter Soldier" mostra o novo uniforme do Sam Wilson. pic.twitter.com/KAVkDKdQr7 — Marvel News (@BRMarvelNews) January 15, 2021

The costume itself is almost a 1:1 recreation of Sam Wilson’s Captain America costume from the Marvel comics, as debuted in All-New Captain America #1, published in November 2014. Wilson was granted the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers handed him the shield in Captain America Vol.7 #25. During the storyline of that era, Steve Rogers had been aged beyond his fighting prime, something that may have influenced the scene in Avengers: Endgame where aged Cap passes the shield to the Falcon. For more, check out what to expect from the MCU in 2021, as well as the cast and characters from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier revealed so far. And if you have Disney+, be sure to read our review of WandaVision's season premiere. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

This story contains potential spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Images of what appear to be an upcoming action figure based on a character from Disney+ show The Falcon and The Winter Soldier may have revealed a significant plot detail. The figure, if genuine, does spoil what could be a major moment for the show, so we advise not reading ahead should you wish to remain in the dark. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/11/marvels-falcon-and-the-winter-soldier-official-trailer-1"] The new photos, which were posted to Twitter by account BRMarvelNews, show a Hasbro action figure of Sam Wilson dressed in a Captain America costume. The name badge on the toy’s packaging reads Captain America rather than Wilson’s more familiar superhero title, The Falcon. In addition, the packaging features an image of actor Anthony Mackie as Wilson dressed in the Captain America costume.

O uniforme do novo Capitão América!!

Um vazamento da linha de brinquedos de "The Falcon and The Winter Soldier" mostra o novo uniforme do Sam Wilson. pic.twitter.com/KAVkDKdQr7 — Marvel News (@BRMarvelNews) January 15, 2021

The costume itself is almost a 1:1 recreation of Sam Wilson’s Captain America costume from the Marvel comics, as debuted in All-New Captain America #1, published in November 2014. Wilson was granted the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers handed him the shield in Captain America Vol.7 #25. During the storyline of that era, Steve Rogers had been aged beyond his fighting prime, something that may have influenced the scene in Avengers: Endgame where aged Cap passes the shield to the Falcon. For more, check out what to expect from the MCU in 2021, as well as the cast and characters from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier revealed so far. And if you have Disney+, be sure to read our review of WandaVision's season premiere. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.