Sony has announced that, beginning this week, PlayStation Now will add support for streaming 1080p capable games. PlayStation shared the news on Twitter, confirming that the rollout will take place over "the next several weeks across Europe, US, Canada, and Japan, where PlayStation Now is available." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/18/marvels-avengers-black-panther-reveal-trailer"] Up until this change, PlayStation Now only supported streaming of up to 720p for its over 800 games. The service also allows for over 300 PS4 games to be downloaded to your console with resolutions of up to 4K. Those subscribed will be able to take advantage of games like Marvel's Avengers, Borderlands 3, and The Long Dark, which were just add earlier this month. While this is a definite improvement to PlayStation Now, it's important to remember that, despite the service being available on PS5, only PS4, PS3, and PS2 titles are currently available. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/09/borderlands-3-directors-cut-official-launch-trailer"] This news follows another announcement from Sony that it is partnering with ProbablyMonsters to become the exclusive publishing partner for the Firewalk Studios' first game, which is set to be a AAA multiplayer game. [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.

Sony has announced that, beginning this week, PlayStation Now will add support for streaming 1080p capable games. PlayStation shared the news on Twitter, confirming that the rollout will take place over "the next several weeks across Europe, US, Canada, and Japan, where PlayStation Now is available." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/18/marvels-avengers-black-panther-reveal-trailer"] Up until this change, PlayStation Now only supported streaming of up to 720p for its over 800 games. The service also allows for over 300 PS4 games to be downloaded to your console with resolutions of up to 4K. Those subscribed will be able to take advantage of games like Marvel's Avengers, Borderlands 3, and The Long Dark, which were just add earlier this month. While this is a definite improvement to PlayStation Now, it's important to remember that, despite the service being available on PS5, only PS4, PS3, and PS2 titles are currently available. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/09/borderlands-3-directors-cut-official-launch-trailer"] This news follows another announcement from Sony that it is partnering with ProbablyMonsters to become the exclusive publishing partner for the Firewalk Studios' first game, which is set to be a AAA multiplayer game. [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.

Russia is reportedly ready to start constructing its own space station with the aim of launching it into orbit by 2030. As one of the five space agencies involved with the International Space Station, Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, would first need to consider withdrawing from the multinational collaborative project, launched in 1998, in order to break away and establish its own space station, however, The Guardian reports that those discussions may have already taken place. Yury Borisov, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, reportedly revealed the first part of Russia's plans to go solo with its own space station during a TV broadcast over the weekend in which he reportedly touched on the nation's potential departure from the program, saying Moscow would, "give notice to its partners that it would withdraw from the International Space Station project in 2025." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/02/25/nasa-congress-discuss-space-station-hotel-ign-news"] In addition to ending its decades-long cooperation with the ISS project, Roscosmos would also need to seek approval from President Vladimir Putin in order to proceed with its plans to build and launch its own space station. According to an unnamed source quoted by Russian news agency Interfax, the project could cost as much as $6 billion to get off the ground... and into space. "If in 2030, in accordance with our plans, we can put it into orbit, it will be a colossal breakthrough," Interfax quoted Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin as saying, addressing the plans for a Russian station, which would reportedly be operated in a different manner to the ISS. "The will is there to take a new step in world manned space exploration." Forging its own path, Rogozin reportedly said the Russian space station would be monitored by artificial intelligence and robots, rather than being continuously manned by a human crew, because its orbit path would expose it to higher levels of radiation, which would put teams at greater risk long-term. However, cosmonauts and foreign crews could visit for shorter periods. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-sci-fi-movies&captions=true"] Short stays in space may be preferential as scientists have previously confirmed the negative health effects of humans traveling to space, which occur as a result of the microgravity found outside Earth. We certainly still have a long way to go in researching and understanding "the fabric of the universe," though the "Galactic Federation" of aliens are reportedly keeping us in the loop. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Russia is reportedly ready to start constructing its own space station with the aim of launching it into orbit by 2030. As one of the five space agencies involved with the International Space Station, Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, would first need to consider withdrawing from the multinational collaborative project, launched in 1998, in order to break away and establish its own space station, however, The Guardian reports that those discussions may have already taken place. Yury Borisov, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, reportedly revealed the first part of Russia's plans to go solo with its own space station during a TV broadcast over the weekend in which he reportedly touched on the nation's potential departure from the program, saying Moscow would, "give notice to its partners that it would withdraw from the International Space Station project in 2025." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/02/25/nasa-congress-discuss-space-station-hotel-ign-news"] In addition to ending its decades-long cooperation with the ISS project, Roscosmos would also need to seek approval from President Vladimir Putin in order to proceed with its plans to build and launch its own space station. According to an unnamed source quoted by Russian news agency Interfax, the project could cost as much as $6 billion to get off the ground... and into space. "If in 2030, in accordance with our plans, we can put it into orbit, it will be a colossal breakthrough," Interfax quoted Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin as saying, addressing the plans for a Russian station, which would reportedly be operated in a different manner to the ISS. "The will is there to take a new step in world manned space exploration." Forging its own path, Rogozin reportedly said the Russian space station would be monitored by artificial intelligence and robots, rather than being continuously manned by a human crew, because its orbit path would expose it to higher levels of radiation, which would put teams at greater risk long-term. However, cosmonauts and foreign crews could visit for shorter periods. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-sci-fi-movies&captions=true"] Short stays in space may be preferential as scientists have previously confirmed the negative health effects of humans traveling to space, which occur as a result of the microgravity found outside Earth. We certainly still have a long way to go in researching and understanding "the fabric of the universe," though the "Galactic Federation" of aliens are reportedly keeping us in the loop. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

This week in GTA Online, gain a chance at a diamond score when completing the Diamond Casino Heist finale, a free Open Wheel Sponsor Tee for participating in races, and more.

The Epic Games Store is expanding its offering of PC apps. Starting today, Epic Games Store users can download apps like the indie storefront Itch.io, the Brave internet browser, and iHeartRadio directly from Epic's digital storefront. Epic already offers apps like Spotify through the Epic Games Store, meaning users can download the Spotify PC client directly from Epic rather than through Spotify's website. These new apps include Itchi.io, an indie games-focused DRM-free digital store where developers can sell games and set their own prices and revenue share. A lot of games sold through Itch.io are also based on the pay what you want pricing model. If you have games you're working on yourselves, you can also set up a store page and sell your games directly on Itch.io. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/08/19/epic-games-store-gamescom-trailer-gamescom-2019"] Other apps include Brave, a Chromium web browser with a focus on privacy. Brave comes with build-in ad blockers and players can send cryptocurrency contributions to websites if they please. There's also the 3D art app KenShape, and digital painting app Krita. Another app coming to the Epic Games Store is iHeartRadio, but this will only be available in North America. The free music and podcast streaming app offer users access to thousands of live radio stations along with custom playlists for music and podcasts. Finally, Epic is partnering up with its first app offering, Spotify, to give Fortnite Crew Members three free months of Spotify Premium. Fortnite Crew is a monthly subscription service that gives members a free Battle Pass, 1,00 V-Bucks each month, and exclusive outfits and cosmetics. Epic says it will offer more apps in the future, and it signals Epic's growing ambitions beyond making just a digital games store. With more apps, Epic looks like it's dipping into Apple's territory, just as the legal battle between Epic and Apple continues. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor.

Sony Interactive Entertainment and ProbablyMonsters have announced a new partnership in which PlayStation will be the exclusive publishing partner for the first game from ProbablyMonsters' Firewalk Studios. Firewalk's AAA multiplayer game in development currently does not have a planned release window, nor do we have many specifics on what the game will entail (and not even whether it's targeted for both PS5 and PS4, or just Sony's newest system, given the studio's billing as a "next-generation AAA studio."). But Firewalk's Tony Hsu, Ryan Ellis, and Elena Siegman, along with Head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst, spoke with IGN about why both parties wanted to partner for this project, how the team made up of former Destiny, Halo, Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and other devs is approaching a new multiplayer game in this era, and what ProbablyMonsters' focus on building "sustainable" game studios actually means. [caption id="attachment_2503701" align="alignnone" width="720"] ProbablyMonsters, its team Firewalk Studios, and PlayStation are entering a new partnership.[/caption] [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Why Firewalk and PlayStation Wanted to Work Together

This project will be Firewalk's first game since the studio's founding in 2018, and both sides of the partnership have been talking since then about the potential for this new but experienced team's game. "Firewalk is an incredibly talented bunch of people and they have worked on very interesting games collectively and individually [in the past]. They're a brand new team. Working with Firewalk gives us the best of two worlds," Hulst explained in an interview with IGN. "On the one hand, we get to collaborate with the studio right off the bat. So [we] get that magical early stage, full of curiosity, exploring new ways of making games and making new games. And on the other hand, there is a real depth of experience." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-best-ps5-games&captions=true"] And it's exactly that mix of experience combined with the opportunity for innovation that really excited Sony. "With ProbablyMonsters' support, we were able to really focus on a game concept we've been excited about and we met Sony in 2018. And since that first meeting with them, they've been incredibly excited and huge supporters of not just the team, but also the project that we've been working on," Studio Head Tony Hsu, who previously was the GM and SVP of Destiny at Activision, explained.

What Is Firewalk's Multiplayer, PlayStation-Published Game?

Well, we don't know too much. Firewalk hasn't confirmed in what realm of multiplayer the game will be (shared universe, traditional competitive multiplayer, battle royale, some mix of established modes, or something else entirely). Obviously, with the team's pedigree, there's hope that lessons can be learned from the ups and downs of all of those major franchises to craft something familiar yet new. But while we wait for an actual glimpse of the game, Hulst and Firewalk's leadership explained how the connection between what PlayStation studios create, and what Firewalk is working on, made them such a great fit for a partnership. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/17/playstations-lineup-gets-another-interesting-exclusive-beyond-episode-692"] "At PlayStation Studios, we're storytellers, and, not exclusively, because I do believe we have a distinctive and diverse slate of games, but some of our most loved games are indeed single-player character-based narrative experiences. And we'll always carry on and continue to make those," Hulst said. "This team here at Firewalk, they're also storytellers, and, in their legacy and their history, they have a past of innovating, of being incredibly daring when it comes to trying out new things. And when they're ready, they should speak about how they're innovating in storytelling and the narrative part of games, particularly in the multiplayer sphere." "Hermen's right. It is about story," Game Director Ryan Ellis (formerly creative director at Bungie) said. "And one of the exciting things about multiplayer is, just where does that story comes from? And I think it's really best summed up with the phrase, 'Remember that time when?' ... Multiplayer is this evergreen, infinite story machine. It pumps out these moments and these memories that stick with us forever. And I think Sony understands that and believes in that. And so do we, and that's why we love it. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=playstation-major-franchise-output&captions=true"] "In the end, it's about bringing people together, snd then it's about putting a smile on their face," Ellis said. "Especially given work-from-home and COVID, multiplayer is more powerful than ever, and that ability to bring people together and to keep people connected. We're excited in the space that we're in to bring some new ideas and to do a few things that are new to it, and to bring our experience and our perspective and the support of Sony to bear on that."

Building a "Sustainable" Studio

Looking at ProbablyMonsters official website, and hearing about what Firewalk is endeavoring to do, this initial announcement introduces the teams through very specific language: "a new category of game company that builds sustainable game studios through a people-first culture." But what does that exactly mean, especially at a time when player awareness about crunch, the process by which devs work long, additional nights and weekends to help games meet certain milestones to the detriment of their health and overall lives, is higher than ever? "You hear us talk about people first and trust and respect. We know crunch is not the magic ingredient that makes games great. Inspired, happy, empowered teams make games great," Executive Producer Elena Siegman (formerly of Harmonix, Irrational Games, and Bungie) said. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/14/ps5s-first-big-update-whats-here-and-whats-missing-beyond-episode-696"] "That's where we're focusing our efforts... talking about trust and respect, doing the work to build that, listening to your team. It really comes from knowing what you want to do and knowing who you are. This studio was established to make great multiplayer experiences, and we know that we have the talent in our studio to build that." "We really do think about, what should our studio look like in 2025? And what could it look like in 2030? We do the work to invest at all levels of our studio and leadership at all levels in our studio so that we can build a great studio going forward," Hsu elaborated. "From our early days, we built up a diversity & inclusion internal team that focuses not only on composition of the studio, but the content of our game and really having that embedded," he continued, noting that something as simple as a conversation Hsu had with one of the team's designers led to Firewalk sponsoring the Game Devs of Color conference last year. "We have a lot of ambition and vision, and we have a lot of experience, but we also have a lot of inspiration and passion. And I think that speaks to the newness that Hermen was talking about. And so when Tony talks about sustainability, trust, respect, we really need to elevate all of the different voices and experiences on our team. I think that will make our game better, but also make us better. We can inspire each other," Siegman said. [poilib element="accentDivider"] And while we wait to see more from what Firewalk's debut game will be, the partnership is in line with many of Sony's recent partnerships and deals with other publishers and developers as of late. Most notably, as Hulst pointed to during our conversation, PlayStation is partnering with Jade Raymond's new studio Haven, and there's a clear connection between these two deals and why Sony is interested in partnering with these new teams. "Last month, we announced a brand new partnership with Jade Raymond's Haven Studios. Today, I'm super excited to be talking to you about our partnerships with Firewalk and ProbablyMonsters. And what I love particularly is the fact that [they are] veterans and bring a ton of great experience, but they're also a brand new team that can have a blank slate and that can innovate from within. And that's why I love this partnership deeply." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's Senior News Editor, host of Podcast Beyond!, and PlayStation lead. Talk to him on Twitter @jmdornbush.

The team working on the current Battlefield game is the biggest in the series’ history, split across four different studios, DICE has revealed. In addition, the game will be revealed to the public “soon”. In a new update on Battlefield’s development, DICE General Manager, Oskar Gabrielson, revealed that the Stockholm-based studio is working in collaboration with Electronic Arts Gothenburg, Criterion, and DICE LA on the project. “We have our biggest team ever on a Battlefield game for console and PC,” Gabrielson said. “Together, we are creating a jaw-dropping experience for you to enjoy later in 2021.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/28/new-battlefield-coming-in-2021-no-more-star-wars-battlefront-2-and-battlefield-5-updates"] Aside from PC, DICE has yet to confirm the platforms for the new Battlefield game. However, Gabrielson’s announcement seemingly half-reveals that it will be on new-generation consoles. “It has everything we love about Battlefield – and takes all of it to the next level,” he said. “Epic scale. All-out military warfare. Crazy, unexpected moments. Game-changing destruction. Massive battles, packed with more players and mayhem than ever before. All brought to life with the power of next-gen consoles and PCs.” While we still have to wait for PS5 and Xbox Series X confirmation, that statement does point to those platforms. It’s also a half-suggestion that previous generation consoles may be left behind. This new Battlefield game is set to be released Holiday 2021. Gabrielson teased that players should “get ready for our reveal ‘soonTM’”, so be on standby for a big announcement. DICE also announced today that a Battlefield game for mobile is also in development, due in 2022. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Update 04/22/2021: Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation Pass Video Pass is a trial service, running in Poland for a year, and will offer 21 movies and TV shows at no extra cost to PS Plus subscribers. Speaking to Spider's Web, Sony's Nick Maguire explains that the pass comes in the form of a PS4/PS5 app, which initially allows PS Plus subscribers to watch 21 movies and TV, including Venom, Baby Driver, and all 6 seasons of Community (full list below). Maguire says new titles will be added to that list every three months, and no change to PS Plus' price in Poland will be made. Maguire didn't give a set idea of when or if the service would be extended to other regions. The Polish test will allow Sony to see which titles are most-watched, and how often the app's used by PS Plus subscribers.

PS Plus Video Pass Movies

• Bloodshot
• Jumanji: The Next Level
• Zombieland 2: Double Tap
• Charlie's Angels (2019)
• Venom (2018)
• The Equalizer 2
• Baby Driver
• Blade Runner 2049
• Underworld: Blood Wars
• Arrival
• Sausage Party
• Inferno (2016)
• American Hustle
• This is the End
• Bad Boys (1995)

PS Plus Video Pass TV Shows

• Future Man (seasons 1-3)
• SuperMansion (seasons 1-3)
• Community (seasons 1-6)
• Deadly Class (seasons 1)
• SWAT (seasons 1-2)
• Lost Girl (seasons 1-5)

[poilib element="accentDivider"] Sony has seemingly accidentally released information about an unannounced PlayStation Plus Video Pass, which could add movie and TV content to the existing PS Plus subscription service. Spotted by VGC, the PlayStation Poland website added – and then quickly removed – a banner that showed off the apparent service, accompanied by text that, when translated, reads: "A new benefit available for a limited time on PlayStation Plus… PS Plus Video Pass is a trial service active 22.04.21 – 22.04.22. The subscription benefit is available to PS Plus users in Poland.” [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Source: VGC[/caption] The banner, seen above, includes images of Venom, Zombieland: Double Tap, and Bloodshot – all of which are movies made by Sony Pictures. It's possible that Sony plans to use its own movie portfolio to add value to its PS Plus subscription benefits. Given the timing mentioned, it may be that the announcement went live ahead of its official announcement tomorrow. The wording also suggests that this could be a region-specific trial of the new pass in Poland. We've contacted Sony for comment. If the pass works as suggested, it could be seen as a way for Sony to add value to its PS Plus service, especially in the context of Xbox Game Pass' success. It could even be part of the response to Xbox Game Pass mentioned late last year, when SIE President Jim Ryan asked if Sony had a plan to counter Game Pass by saying, "There is actually news to come, but just not today." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/19/playstation-backtracks-on-ps3-vita-after-fan-backlash-ign-daily-fix"] The Microsoft subscription – which offers unlimited access to a selection of games, as well as subscriptions to other services at higher tiers – has been hugely successful, passing 18 million members early this year. Earlier this year, Sony announced that it would discontinue sales and rentals of movie and TV content on the PS Store in August. The video pass would be the second major recent addition to PS Plus, after the PlayStation Plus Collection, which made a number of recent games permanently free to download for PS Plus members. [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.

He-Man fans have a lot to look forward to in the months and years to come, including two new Masters of the Universe animated series on Netflix. One of those upcoming series, Masters of the Universe: Revelation, will also be receiving a prequel comic from Dark Horse. IGN can exclusively reveal the first details about this Masters of the Universe: Revelation prequel. The four-issue limited series is written by executive producers Kevin Smith and Rob David and show writer Tim Sheridan, with art from Mindy Lee (Crimson Lotus) and covers from Stjepan Šejić, Mike Mignola, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Walt Simonson and Laura Martin, with other covers artists to be revealed. [caption id="attachment_2503739" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1 cover by Stjepan Šejić. (Image Credit: Dark Horse/Mattel)[/caption] Revelation is specifically a continuation of the original 1983 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon from Filmation. This comic helps set the stage for that series, taking place in between the events of the Filmation cartoon and the Netflix series. After saving his father King Randor from an attack by the monstrous Orlax, He-Man realizes his Sword of Power has a mysterious connection to the beast. Dark Horse's press release also teases Teela will "take the reins of a powerful legacy," presumably referring to her mother the Sorceress. “When the Masters of the Universe franchise first launched nearly 40 years ago, each action figure came with a comic book to enable children to further explore the world of Eternia,” said David in a statement. “Now, in partnership with Dark Horse, we will go back to our roots to set-up the upcoming 'Masters of the Universe: Revelation,' television series with a world-shattering comic book tale.” Dark Horse's Masters of the Universe: Revelation will debut on July 7, 2021, with new issues shipping monthly through October. [caption id="attachment_2503738" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Masters of the Universe: Revelation #1 variant cover by Mike Mignola (Image Credit: Dark Horse/Mattel)[/caption] Unfortunately, Netflix has yet to reveal a release date for the animated series. We do know the full voice cast for the series, which includes Chris Wood as He-Man, Mark Hamill as Skeletor, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Teela and Lena Headey as Evil-Lyn. David is also joining producers Adam Bonnett and Christopher Keenan for He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, a CG-animated series that will reboot the mythology for a new all-ages audience. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-voice-actor-in-netflixs-masters-of-the-universe-revelation&captions=true"] Sony is also developing a live-action Masters of the Universe movie, one reportedly starring Noah Centineo (The Fosters) and once slated for release in March 2021. However, even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit it was looking unlikely Sony would still meet that release window. The movie may wind up on Netflix alongside the two animated series, as Sony chairman Tom Rothman is said to be considering selling the He-Man reboot rather than risking a costly theatrical release. [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.