Monthly Archives: January 2021

CD Projekt Says Rumored Cyberpunk 2077 Development Details are ‘Simply Not True’

Update: The official Cyberpunk 2077 Twitter account has now posted the same message to the account's 1.6 million followers: [poilib element="accentDivider"] A CD Projekt Red representative has deviated from company policy to say that widely-circulated rumours about development decisions on Cyberpunk 2077 from a purported developer are "simply not true". Posted on GameFAQs, a forum post claiming to include comments from a disgruntled developer made multiple claims about cut content, code rewrites, pressure from company executives, and the game's ongoing fixes, even adding the unexpected detail that the company's original Johnny Silverhand was inspired by David Hayter' Solid Snake and Cillian Murphy. Responding to the thread on the CD Projekt Red forums, CDPR employee Vattier explained, "We usually do not comment on rumours, but this is simply not true." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/cyberpunk-2077-publisher-will-undertake-vigorous-action-against-class-action-lawsuit-ign-news"] CD Projekt Red has repeatedly refused to comment on rumours following the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077, making this a notable exception. Previously, CDPR had also broken usual policy to deny rumours of a final last-minute delay to the game. Cyberpunk launched in a less-than stable state, particularly on consoles, which has led to much speculation about the game's development - particularly after it received three delays ahead of launch. That speculation hasn't been helped by some messy messaging around what happened to the game, and what's being done to fix the issues. Currently, CD Projekt is intending to release major updates to console versions in January and February that should “fix the most prominent problems gamers are facing on last-gen consoles.” Currently, the game isn't available for digital purchse on PlayStation, and we've had no word on when it might return. After those fixes, there's still the not-insignificant additions of free DLC and paid expansions and, eventually, a multiplayer mode. [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.

CD Projekt Says Rumored Cyberpunk 2077 Development Details are ‘Simply Not True’

A CD Projekt Red representative has deviated from company policy to say that widely-circulated rumours about development decisions on Cyberpunk 2077 from a purported developer are "simply not true". Posted on GameFAQs, a forum post claiming to include comments from a disgruntled developer made multiple claims about cut content, code rewrites, pressure from company executives, and the game's ongoing fixes, even adding the unexpected detail that the company's original Johnny Silverhand was inspired by David Hayter' Solid Snake and Cillian Murphy. Responding to the thread on the CD Projekt Red forums, CDPR employee Vattier explained, "We usually do not comment on rumours, but this is simply not true." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/cyberpunk-2077-publisher-will-undertake-vigorous-action-against-class-action-lawsuit-ign-news"] CD Projekt Red has repeatedly refused to comment on rumours following the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077, making this a notable exception. Previously, CDPR had also broken usual policy to deny rumours of a final last-minute delay to the game. Cyberpunk launched in a less-than stable state, particularly on consoles, which has led to much speculation about the game's development - particularly after it received three delays ahead of launch. That speculation hasn't been helped by some messy messaging around what happened to the game, and what's being done to fix the issues. Currently, CD Projekt is intending to release major updates to console versions in January and February that should “fix the most prominent problems gamers are facing on last-gen consoles.” Currently, the game isn't available for digital purchse on PlayStation, and we've had no word on when it might return. After those fixes, there's still the not-insignificant additions of free DLC and paid expansions and, eventually, a multiplayer mode. [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.

Dishonored Co-Creator Is Working on a New Arkane Game With Dishonored and Prey Developers

Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith is working on an unannounced new game at Arkane Austin, alongside devs from the Dishonored and Prey teams. Speaking to Vandal (and translated by IGN), Smith explained that he had moved back to Austin after completing Dishonored 2 at Arkane's Lyon studio, and confirmed that he's not a part of the company's next game, but a separate unannounced project: "I'm not on Deathloop , I'm on something else, working with the guys who made Dishonored and Prey." Smith makes no further mention of what that project could be, nor how far away it might be. It's possible that it could be a new Dishonored game, but we already know that any sequel to the much loved immersive sim series would feature new characters, after the Death of the Outsider 'expandalone' marked the end of the series as we know it. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/07/wolfenstein-and-dishonored-developers-play-each-others-games"] Whatever the game ends up being, it will be part of the new era of Microsoft-owned Bethesda games, meaning it would almost certainly launch into Game Pass and, perhaps, even be an Xbox exclusive. Vandal asked Smith if the upcoming acqusition had changed anything at Arkane as yet, who replied that there's been no difference so far. He added that, of all possible partners for Bethesda, he'd find it difficult to think of a better one than Microsoft, concluding, "They fit perfectly."

Before we see Smith's game, however, there's the matter of the extremely exciting Deathloop, which arrives for PS5 and PC on May 21. We've named the time-looping FPS as one of the biggest games coming in 2021, not least because of its intriguing gameplay reveal last year.

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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.

Dishonored Co-Creator Is Working on a New Arkane Game With Dishonored and Prey Developers

Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith is working on an unannounced new game at Arkane Austin, alongside devs from the Dishonored and Prey teams. Speaking to Vandal (and translated by IGN), Smith explained that he had moved back to Austin after completing Dishonored 2 at Arkane's Lyon studio, and confirmed that he's not a part of the company's next game, but a separate unannounced project: "I'm not on Deathloop , I'm on something else, working with the guys who made Dishonored and Prey." Smith makes no further mention of what that project could be, nor how far away it might be. It's possible that it could be a new Dishonored game, but we already know that any sequel to the much loved immersive sim series would feature new characters, after the Death of the Outsider 'expandalone' marked the end of the series as we know it. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/07/wolfenstein-and-dishonored-developers-play-each-others-games"] Whatever the game ends up being, it will be part of the new era of Microsoft-owned Bethesda games, meaning it would almost certainly launch into Game Pass and, perhaps, even be an Xbox exclusive. Vandal asked Smith if the upcoming acqusition had changed anything at Arkane as yet, who replied that there's been no difference so far. He added that, of all possible partners for Bethesda, he'd find it difficult to think of a better one than Microsoft, concluding, "They fit perfectly."

Before we see Smith's game, however, there's the matter of the extremely exciting Deathloop, which arrives for PS5 and PC on May 21. We've named the time-looping FPS as one of the biggest games coming in 2021, not least because of its intriguing gameplay reveal last year.

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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.

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins Creator Wants to Make a Successor for PS5

Update: As Twinfinite points out, Endo actually said he'd like to create a stealth ninja game for PS5 - indicating something more like a successor to the original Tenchu games - rather than a definitive new entry in the series. IGN apologises for the error. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Tenchu: Stealth Assassins creator and president of Acquire, Takuma Endo has said that he would like to create a new Tenchu game for the PlayStation 5 - but nothing is formally in the works right now. In an interview with Weekly Famitsu (translated by Gematsu), Takuma Endo said that he would like to "create a new Tenchu from the ground up for the PlayStation 5 generation if the possibility arises", but also acknowledges that it's currently difficult. That difficulty likely stems from the fact that the Tenchu IP is currently owned by FromSoftware, who released Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in 2019. In the early stages, Sekiro was being developed as a Tenchu successor, but From Software eventually decided to take the development in a different direction. It's not clear if the developer has any plans for the Tenchu franchise at this point. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/06/12/sekiro-shadows-die-twice-is-souls-crossed-with-tenchu-e3-2018"] Back in August of last year, Acquire registered a trademark for "Stealth Assassins" in Japan which set the rumour mill off that a remake or spiritual successor was in the works. In the same interview with Famitsu, Endo mentions that this was merely a formality, as the trademark had expired. Elsewhere, Endo mentioned that Acquire plans to launch an "indies brand" separate from its main output, with the first title coming "by the end of 2021". Here's our review of Sekiro from 2019, which we scored a 9.5, lauding its "focused stealth-action take on t he FromSoftware formula". Back in 1998, we awarded Tenchu: Stealth Assassins a 9/10 review, calling it "the quintessential PlayStation game. Hard-core, smart, bloody, and fun as hell." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Xbox Survey Asks Players If They Want PS5 DualSense Features in the Series X Controller

A survey sent to owners of next-gen Xbox consoles is querying whether users would appreciate the features of the PS5's DualSense in their Series X or S controller. As reported by TechRadar, the console experience survey asks owners whether they think the Xbox Series X "feels next-gen" and later asks whether they feel like they are missing out in the peripherals department. "I am aware of features on PlayStation controllers that I wish were on the controller that came with this console," the question reads. This is, of course, referring to the PlayStation 5's DualSense, which offers adaptive triggers for simulating resistance and provides precise haptic feedback, with the goal of increasing immersion in games. By comparison, the Series X controller wasn't too much of a jump from the last generation, despite the addition of features like a dedicated share button and textured triggers. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/06/ps5-dualsense-controller-review"] Microsoft's interest in these questions would suggest that they're at least thinking about upgrading the next-gen controllers in the future, to line up with Sony's offering in the current-generation. While that line of thought doesn't necessarily promise changes in the future, Xbox has a recent history of adding well-received features on other console controllers to its own – the Xbox One controller adopted a 3.5mm jack partway through the last generation, for example. We reviewed the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller at launch in November 2020, scoring it a 9 and lauding its "tactile feedback" – and called it out as one of PS5's most impressive features in our overall PlayStation 5 review. We also covered the Xbox Series X controller just weeks before, scoring it an 8 and calling it a "positive evolution". If you've recently gotten your hands on an Xbox Series X or S, check out our guide on things to do first. If you got a PS5 instead, we've got tips on the PS5's hidden features and settings, and a guide on how best to transfer data from your PS4 to your new console. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Netflix Service on Wii U and 3DS Winding Down This Year – and There’s Still No Sign of a Switch App

Nintendo has revealed that it is shutting down Netflix functionality on the Wii U and 3DS this June, and there's still no sign of the streaming service on Nintendo Switch. The news arrives via the support page for the Netflix Wii U app, which now offers a statement from Nintendo: "Starting Dec 31st, 2020, the Netflix app will no longer be available for new users to download from Nintendo eShop on the Wii U console or Nintendo 3DS family of systems. During that time, it will be possible for existing users to re-download these applications. Service for existing users will continue until June 30th, 2021. Thank you to everyone who enjoyed Netflix on these platforms over the years." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/11/09/hulu-app-coming-to-nintendo-switch"] It's understandable that Nintendo would want to close up shop for these apps on older consoles, but it very much shines a light the fact that the Nintendo Switch, despite its popularity, has yet to receive its own Netflix app. Back in 2017, then-COO of Nintendo of America, Reggie Fils-Aime said that Nintendo Switch apps for Netflix, Hulu and Amazon "will come in time". Switch doesn't have a huge selection of streaming services, but it does have some - Hulu is already available on the console in the US, and the Anime streaming service Funimation came to Switch as recently as last month, but there's still no sign of Netflix. Here's hoping the shutdown of older services might spark some life into Netflix on Switch. It will be an interesting year for Switch, with rumours of a Pro model continually popping up, no matter how much Nintendo tries to bat them away, and with the hybrid handheld outselling new-gen consoles in the US, even during their launch month. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Marvel’s WandaVision: First Official Clip Released

The first official clip from Marvel's WandaVision has been released ahead of the show's premiere on Disney+ later this month. Elizabeth Olsen appeared as a guest on Tuesday night's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live and offered a sneak peek at the upcoming MCU sitcom by way of an exclusive never-before-seen clip from one of the scenes in the nine-episode series. Tune into the first official clip from the show by skipping ahead to the 4:24 marker on the video below: Influenced by a variety of different sitcoms, the black-and-white footage opens with Olsen's Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany's Vision sleeping alongside one another in separate beds, replicating a classic TV trope frequently featured in shows of the '50s and '60s such as I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show. In the 45-second clip, the super-powered beings are disturbed from their respective slumbers by a bump in the night, which startles Wanda awake and prompts her to use her powers to turn on the bedroom lights. Vision approaches the window to survey the idyllic suburban street outside before reassuring his partner that there's nothing to worry about. "Are you using your night vision, Vision?" she asks, triggering a canned laughter-style response from the audience. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=marvels-wandavision-all-the-tv-sitcom-influences&captions=true"] Developing... [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Super Nintendo World Website Now Live, Offers New Details of the Theme Park Attraction

A special website detailing the attractions at Super Nintendo World is now live, giving additional information on the rides, activities, dining options and merchandise that will be available at the new themed area when it launches at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on February 4. Read on for details, and also be sure to check out our article on the ways Super Nintendo World has been gamified for even more new details on the rides and unlockable achievements awaiting guests at the park.

A video featured on the new site shows what visitors can expect from the area’s two rides, including a mock-up of the AR visuals and projection-mapping incorporated into the ambitious Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge ride, along with the first concrete glimpses of the Yoshi’s Adventure ride, which a USJ spokesman described to us as an all-ages family attraction in the vein of Disneyland’s It’s A Small World. The site lists some basics about each ride, revealing that duration for each will be roughly five minutes, along with useful details such as height restrictions. Check this article for many more details.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=super-nintendo-world-in-universal-studios-japan-sneak-peek&captions=true"]

In addition to the previously announced Kinopio Cafe dining area, the new website shows that there will also be Yoshi’s Snack Island food carts in the Nintendo area, serving a noodle-filled calzone shaped like a Koopa Shell as well as mango- and melon-flavoured lassi drinks. The site also shows photos of the two types of popcorn buckets that will be on sale – a Mario Kart bucket with glow-in-the-dark wheels, and a fully glow-in-the-dark Super Star bucket. The previously announced 1Up Factory gift shop will also be joined by a second store, Mario Motors.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/30/super-nintendo-world-reveal-trailer"]

Regarding COVID-19 countermeasures, the USJ spokesman told us that entry to the Nintendo area will be restricted to avoid overcrowding, and that advance registration will be required, available within the USJ app or via a travel agent.

Super Nintendo World is due to open on February 4. However, while COVID-19 numbers in Japan remain considerably lower than in the United States and much of Europe, a recent steady rise in cases has prompted the declaration of a State of Emergency in Tokyo and some surrounding prefectures, starting January 8 and expected to last for up to a month. While Osaka is currently not included in the list of affected prefectures, the USJ spokesman noted that the opening date is currently under internal discussion.

At any rate, Japan is currently not granting tourist visas until further notice, so if you plan to visit Super Nintendo World, you may have to wait. At least the new website will help you to plan for when you get there.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/super-nintendo-world-direct-presentation"]

For even more on Super Nintendo World, check out the recently revealed area map plus some of the exclusive merchandise on sale at the park, a guided tour from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, and the already-open Mario-themed cafe and shop at USJ.

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Daniel Robson is Chief Editor at IGN Japan. Follow him on Twitter for a glimpse into life and games in Tokyo.

Super Nintendo World Website Now Live, Offers New Details of the Theme Park Attraction

A special website detailing the attractions at Super Nintendo World is now live, giving additional information on the rides, activities, dining options and merchandise that will be available at the new themed area when it launches at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on February 4. Read on for details, and also be sure to check out our article on the ways Super Nintendo World has been gamified for even more new details on the rides and unlockable achievements awaiting guests at the park.

A video featured on the new site shows what visitors can expect from the area’s two rides, including a mock-up of the AR visuals and projection-mapping incorporated into the ambitious Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge ride, along with the first concrete glimpses of the Yoshi’s Adventure ride, which a USJ spokesman described to us as an all-ages family attraction in the vein of Disneyland’s It’s A Small World. The site lists some basics about each ride, revealing that duration for each will be roughly five minutes, along with useful details such as height restrictions. Check this article for many more details.

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=super-nintendo-world-in-universal-studios-japan-sneak-peek&captions=true"]

In addition to the previously announced Kinopio Cafe dining area, the new website shows that there will also be Yoshi’s Snack Island food carts in the Nintendo area, serving a noodle-filled calzone shaped like a Koopa Shell as well as mango- and melon-flavoured lassi drinks. The site also shows photos of the two types of popcorn buckets that will be on sale – a Mario Kart bucket with glow-in-the-dark wheels, and a fully glow-in-the-dark Super Star bucket. The previously announced 1Up Factory gift shop will also be joined by a second store, Mario Motors.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/11/30/super-nintendo-world-reveal-trailer"]

Regarding COVID-19 countermeasures, the USJ spokesman told us that entry to the Nintendo area will be restricted to avoid overcrowding, and that advance registration will be required, available within the USJ app or via a travel agent.

Super Nintendo World is due to open on February 4. However, while COVID-19 numbers in Japan remain considerably lower than in the United States and much of Europe, a recent steady rise in cases has prompted the declaration of a State of Emergency in Tokyo and some surrounding prefectures, starting January 8 and expected to last for up to a month. While Osaka is currently not included in the list of affected prefectures, the USJ spokesman noted that the opening date is currently under internal discussion.

At any rate, Japan is currently not granting tourist visas until further notice, so if you plan to visit Super Nintendo World, you may have to wait. At least the new website will help you to plan for when you get there.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/12/18/super-nintendo-world-direct-presentation"]

For even more on Super Nintendo World, check out the recently revealed area map plus some of the exclusive merchandise on sale at the park, a guided tour from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, and the already-open Mario-themed cafe and shop at USJ.

[poilib element="accentDivider"]

Daniel Robson is Chief Editor at IGN Japan. Follow him on Twitter for a glimpse into life and games in Tokyo.