Monthly Archives: April 2021

Want EA to Adjust Your Game Difficulty for You?

Welcome back to Game Scoop!, the ONLY video game podcast! This week your Omega Cops -- Daemon Hatfield, Tina Amini, Sam Claiborn, and Justin Davis -- are discussing topics like EA's plans to possible adjust your game difficulty automatically, the return of E3, Yakuza games, and more. And, of course, they play Video Game 20 Questions. The music in this episode is from The Guardian Legend on NES. Watch the video above or hit the link below to your favorite podcast service. Listen on: Apple Podcasts YouTube Spotify Stitcher   Find previous episodes here!

Want EA to Adjust Your Game Difficulty for You?

Welcome back to Game Scoop!, the ONLY video game podcast! This week your Omega Cops -- Daemon Hatfield, Tina Amini, Sam Claiborn, and Justin Davis -- are discussing topics like EA's plans to possible adjust your game difficulty automatically, the return of E3, Yakuza games, and more. And, of course, they play Video Game 20 Questions. The music in this episode is from The Guardian Legend on NES. Watch the video above or hit the link below to your favorite podcast service. Listen on: Apple Podcasts YouTube Spotify Stitcher   Find previous episodes here!

PlayStation Studios Head of Mobile Will Adapt PS Hits to Mobile

PlayStation Studios is hiring for a new Head of Mobile, a senior position who will lead the development and strategy of PlayStation’s mobile games, and adapt some of the company’s most popular franchises to mobile. In a job listing shared on the game forum ResetEra, the PlayStation Studios Head of Mobile job will be based out of San Mateo, California, and “promote the vision, mission, strategy for mobile game development within PlayStation Studios,” according to the listing. “As Head of Mobile, you will own and develop the mobile games strategy for PlayStation Studios and help build a foundation for future growth opportunities.” Besides expanding mobile game development the job requires “a focus on successfully adapting PlayStation’s most popular franchises for mobile.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] The listing also says the new Head of Mobile will work with the PlayStation Studios Leadership Team to develop a product roadmap for a “3 - 5-year time frame,” so any new mobile products likely won’t be released immediately under this position. Mobile gaming is a huge, multi-billion dollar sector in gaming and the largest game companies are already occupying this space with varying degrees of success. Of the major console makers, Nintendo is one of the more successful companies operating on mobile thanks to partnerships with developers like Niantic who’ve made hit games like Pokemon Go and are working on a Pikmin AR title. Third-party publishers like Activision are also seeing major hits with mobile versions of Call of Duty Meanwhile Blizzard is looking to expand into mobile as well with several projects for the platform in the works. Sony recently announced it will close the PSN Store on the PlayStation Vita, its dedicated handheld gaming system. But with the power of smartphones, PlayStation may be looking to mobile as a new avenue for handheld gaming. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2011/02/14/xperia-play-announcing-the-xperia-play"] It also remains to be seen what kind of games exactly PlayStation will look to produce for mobile given its apparent focus on blockbuster games for consoles like the PlayStation 5. But as seen in PlayStation’s acquisition of the fighting game tournament Evo, the company is looking to diversify its product offerings at the very least. [poilib element="accentDivider"]  Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

PlayStation Studios Head of Mobile Will Adapt PS Hits to Mobile

PlayStation Studios is hiring for a new Head of Mobile, a senior position who will lead the development and strategy of PlayStation’s mobile games, and adapt some of the company’s most popular franchises to mobile. In a job listing shared on the game forum ResetEra, the PlayStation Studios Head of Mobile job will be based out of San Mateo, California, and “promote the vision, mission, strategy for mobile game development within PlayStation Studios,” according to the listing. “As Head of Mobile, you will own and develop the mobile games strategy for PlayStation Studios and help build a foundation for future growth opportunities.” Besides expanding mobile game development the job requires “a focus on successfully adapting PlayStation’s most popular franchises for mobile.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] The listing also says the new Head of Mobile will work with the PlayStation Studios Leadership Team to develop a product roadmap for a “3 - 5-year time frame,” so any new mobile products likely won’t be released immediately under this position. Mobile gaming is a huge, multi-billion dollar sector in gaming and the largest game companies are already occupying this space with varying degrees of success. Of the major console makers, Nintendo is one of the more successful companies operating on mobile thanks to partnerships with developers like Niantic who’ve made hit games like Pokemon Go and are working on a Pikmin AR title. Third-party publishers like Activision are also seeing major hits with mobile versions of Call of Duty Meanwhile Blizzard is looking to expand into mobile as well with several projects for the platform in the works. Sony recently announced it will close the PSN Store on the PlayStation Vita, its dedicated handheld gaming system. But with the power of smartphones, PlayStation may be looking to mobile as a new avenue for handheld gaming. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2011/02/14/xperia-play-announcing-the-xperia-play"] It also remains to be seen what kind of games exactly PlayStation will look to produce for mobile given its apparent focus on blockbuster games for consoles like the PlayStation 5. But as seen in PlayStation’s acquisition of the fighting game tournament Evo, the company is looking to diversify its product offerings at the very least. [poilib element="accentDivider"]  Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The Last of Us Part 2, Tell Me Why Tie for Outstanding Video Game at GLAAD Media Awards

Last night, LGBTQ media advocacy organization GLAAD hosted its 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, where The Last of Us Part 2 and Tell Me Why tied to receive the honor for Outstanding Video Game. The Outstanding Video Game category was added in 2018, and has previously been awarded to The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset and The Outer Worlds. The award is intended to honor LGBTQ inclusion and fair, accurate representation in gaming. Dontnod's Tell Me Why was honored for its depiction of Tyler, a transgender man who returns to his hometown with his twin sister to revisit their complex shared family history. Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part 2 was celebrated for Ellie and Dina, two women depicted in a complex, emotional, and often tender relationship throughout the game, and Lev, a transgender young man whose storyline focuses heavily on his identity and whose depiction has been both celebrated and criticized by the trans community. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/12/the-last-of-us-part-2-review"] Other nominees for Outstanding Video Game this year included Assassin's Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft), Borderlands 3: Guns, Love, and Tentacles (Gearbox Software & 2K Games), Bugnsax (Young Horses), Hades (Supergiant Games), If Found... (Dreamfeel & Annapurna Interactive), Ikenfell (Happy Ray Games & Humble Games), Immortals Fenyx Rising (Ubisoft), and World of Warcraft: Shadowlands (Blizzard Entertainment). GLAAD has numerous other categories beyond video games, and the awards celebrated films like Happiest Season (Outstanding Film - Wide Release), TV series like Schitt's Creek (Outstanding Comedy) and Star Trek: Discovery (Outstanding Drama), and children's programming like The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (Outstanding Children's Programming). The full list of award winners is as follows:  
  • Outstanding Film - Wide Release: Happiest Season (Hulu/TriStar Pictures)
  • Outstanding Film - Limited Release: The Boys in the Band (Netflix)
  • Outstanding Documentary: Disclosure (Netflix)
  • Outstanding Comedy Series: Schitt's Creek (Pop)
  • Outstanding Drama Series: Star Trek: Discovery (CBS All Access)
  • Outstanding TV Movie: Uncle Frank (Amazon Studios)
  • Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: I May Destroy You (HBO)
  • Outstanding Reality Program: We're Here (HBO)
  • Outstanding Children’s Programming: The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (HBO Max)
  • Outstanding Kids & Family Programming [TIE]: First Day (Hulu) and She-Ra & The Princesses of Power (DreamWorks Animation/Netflix)
  • Outstanding Music Artist: Sam Smith, Love Goes (Capitol)
  • Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist: CHIKA, Industry Games (Warner Records)
  • Outstanding Video Game [TIE]: Tell Me Why (DONTNOD Entertainment & Xbox Game Studios) and The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog & Sony Interactive Entertainment)
  • Outstanding Comic Book: Empyre, Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling, Empyre: Aftermath Avengers, by Al Ewing, Dan Slott, Chip Zdarsky, Anthony Oliveira, Valerio Schiti, Manuel Garcia, Cam Smith, Marte Gracia, Triona Farrell, Joe Caramagna, Ariana Maher, Travis Lanham (Marvel Comics)
  • Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode: “Lilly Responds to Comments About Her Sexuality” A Little Late With Lilly Singh (NBC)
  • Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “Dwyane Wade One-On-One: Basketball Legend Opens Up About Supporting Transgender Daughter” Good Morning America (ABC)
  • Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form: “ABC News Joe Biden Town Hall” (ABC)
  • Outstanding Print Article: “20 LGBTQ+ People Working to Save Lives on the Frontline” by Diane Anderson-Minshall, David Artavia, Tracy Gilchrist, Desiree Guerrero, Jeffrey Masters, Donald Padgett, and Daniel Reynolds (The Advocate)
  • Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: People
  • Outstanding Online Journalism Article: “Gay Men Speak Out After Being Turned Away from Donating Blood During Coronavirus Pandemic: 'We are Turning Away Perfectly Healthy Donors'” by Tony Morrison and Joel Lyons (GoodMorningAmerica.com)
  • Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia: “Stop Killing Us: Black Transgender Women's Lived Experiences” by Complex World (Complex News)
  • Outstanding Blog: TransGriot
  • Barbara Gittings Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Media: Windy City Times
  • Special Recognition: After Forever (Amazon)
  • Special Recognition: Deadline’s New Hollywood Podcast
  • Special Recognition: Happiest Season Soundtrack (Facet/Warner Records)
  • Special Recognition: Noah’s Arc: The ‘Rona Chronicles (Patrik Ian-Polk Entertainment)
  • Special Recognition: Out (Pixar/Disney+)
  • Special Recognition: Razor Tongue (YouTube)
  • Special Recognition: "The Son" Little America (Apple TV+)
  • Outstanding Spanish-Language Scripted Television Series: Veneno (HBO Max)
  • Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism: “La Hermana de Aleyda Ortiz Narra Cómo Salió del Clóset y Cómo se lo Comunicó a su Familia” Despierta América (Univision)
  • Outstanding Spanish-Language Online Journalism Article: “Desapareció en México, Solo se Hallaron sus Restos: La Historia de la Doctora María Elizabeth Montaño y su Importancia para la Comunidad Trans” por Albinson Linares y Marina E. Franco (Telemundo.com)
  • Outstanding Spanish-Language Online Journalism - Video or Multimedia: “Soy Trans: El Camino a un Nuevo Despertar” por Sarah Moreno, Esther Piccolino, y José Sepúlveda (El Nuevo Herald)
  • Special Recognition (Spanish-Language): Jesse & Joy, “Love (Es Nuestro Idioma)”
[poilib element="accentDivider"] Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

The Last of Us Part 2, Tell Me Why Tie for Outstanding Video Game at GLAAD Media Awards

Last night, LGBTQ media advocacy organization GLAAD hosted its 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, where The Last of Us Part 2 and Tell Me Why tied to receive the honor for Outstanding Video Game. The Outstanding Video Game category was added in 2018, and has previously been awarded to The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset and The Outer Worlds. The award is intended to honor LGBTQ inclusion and fair, accurate representation in gaming. Dontnod's Tell Me Why was honored for its depiction of Tyler, a transgender man who returns to his hometown with his twin sister to revisit their complex shared family history. Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part 2 was celebrated for Ellie and Dina, two women depicted in a complex, emotional, and often tender relationship throughout the game, and Lev, a transgender young man whose storyline focuses heavily on his identity and whose depiction has been both celebrated and criticized by the trans community. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/12/the-last-of-us-part-2-review"] Other nominees for Outstanding Video Game this year included Assassin's Creed Valhalla (Ubisoft), Borderlands 3: Guns, Love, and Tentacles (Gearbox Software & 2K Games), Bugnsax (Young Horses), Hades (Supergiant Games), If Found... (Dreamfeel & Annapurna Interactive), Ikenfell (Happy Ray Games & Humble Games), Immortals Fenyx Rising (Ubisoft), and World of Warcraft: Shadowlands (Blizzard Entertainment). GLAAD has numerous other categories beyond video games, and the awards celebrated films like Happiest Season (Outstanding Film - Wide Release), TV series like Schitt's Creek (Outstanding Comedy) and Star Trek: Discovery (Outstanding Drama), and children's programming like The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (Outstanding Children's Programming). The full list of award winners is as follows:  
  • Outstanding Film - Wide Release: Happiest Season (Hulu/TriStar Pictures)
  • Outstanding Film - Limited Release: The Boys in the Band (Netflix)
  • Outstanding Documentary: Disclosure (Netflix)
  • Outstanding Comedy Series: Schitt's Creek (Pop)
  • Outstanding Drama Series: Star Trek: Discovery (CBS All Access)
  • Outstanding TV Movie: Uncle Frank (Amazon Studios)
  • Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: I May Destroy You (HBO)
  • Outstanding Reality Program: We're Here (HBO)
  • Outstanding Children’s Programming: The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (HBO Max)
  • Outstanding Kids & Family Programming [TIE]: First Day (Hulu) and She-Ra & The Princesses of Power (DreamWorks Animation/Netflix)
  • Outstanding Music Artist: Sam Smith, Love Goes (Capitol)
  • Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist: CHIKA, Industry Games (Warner Records)
  • Outstanding Video Game [TIE]: Tell Me Why (DONTNOD Entertainment & Xbox Game Studios) and The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog & Sony Interactive Entertainment)
  • Outstanding Comic Book: Empyre, Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling, Empyre: Aftermath Avengers, by Al Ewing, Dan Slott, Chip Zdarsky, Anthony Oliveira, Valerio Schiti, Manuel Garcia, Cam Smith, Marte Gracia, Triona Farrell, Joe Caramagna, Ariana Maher, Travis Lanham (Marvel Comics)
  • Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode: “Lilly Responds to Comments About Her Sexuality” A Little Late With Lilly Singh (NBC)
  • Outstanding TV Journalism Segment: “Dwyane Wade One-On-One: Basketball Legend Opens Up About Supporting Transgender Daughter” Good Morning America (ABC)
  • Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form: “ABC News Joe Biden Town Hall” (ABC)
  • Outstanding Print Article: “20 LGBTQ+ People Working to Save Lives on the Frontline” by Diane Anderson-Minshall, David Artavia, Tracy Gilchrist, Desiree Guerrero, Jeffrey Masters, Donald Padgett, and Daniel Reynolds (The Advocate)
  • Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage: People
  • Outstanding Online Journalism Article: “Gay Men Speak Out After Being Turned Away from Donating Blood During Coronavirus Pandemic: 'We are Turning Away Perfectly Healthy Donors'” by Tony Morrison and Joel Lyons (GoodMorningAmerica.com)
  • Outstanding Online Journalism – Video or Multimedia: “Stop Killing Us: Black Transgender Women's Lived Experiences” by Complex World (Complex News)
  • Outstanding Blog: TransGriot
  • Barbara Gittings Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Media: Windy City Times
  • Special Recognition: After Forever (Amazon)
  • Special Recognition: Deadline’s New Hollywood Podcast
  • Special Recognition: Happiest Season Soundtrack (Facet/Warner Records)
  • Special Recognition: Noah’s Arc: The ‘Rona Chronicles (Patrik Ian-Polk Entertainment)
  • Special Recognition: Out (Pixar/Disney+)
  • Special Recognition: Razor Tongue (YouTube)
  • Special Recognition: "The Son" Little America (Apple TV+)
  • Outstanding Spanish-Language Scripted Television Series: Veneno (HBO Max)
  • Outstanding Spanish-Language TV Journalism: “La Hermana de Aleyda Ortiz Narra Cómo Salió del Clóset y Cómo se lo Comunicó a su Familia” Despierta América (Univision)
  • Outstanding Spanish-Language Online Journalism Article: “Desapareció en México, Solo se Hallaron sus Restos: La Historia de la Doctora María Elizabeth Montaño y su Importancia para la Comunidad Trans” por Albinson Linares y Marina E. Franco (Telemundo.com)
  • Outstanding Spanish-Language Online Journalism - Video or Multimedia: “Soy Trans: El Camino a un Nuevo Despertar” por Sarah Moreno, Esther Piccolino, y José Sepúlveda (El Nuevo Herald)
  • Special Recognition (Spanish-Language): Jesse & Joy, “Love (Es Nuestro Idioma)”
[poilib element="accentDivider"] Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

Paramount Delays Top Gun 2, Mission Impossible 7, and More Release Dates

Paramount is delaying a slew of movie release dates, including Top Gun: Maverick, Mission Impossible 7, the upcoming untitled Star Trek, and more.

Top Gun: Maverick has been moved from July 2 all the way to November 19, taking over Mission Impossible 7's now-former date. MI7 is now scheduled to release on May 27, 2022. Similarly, Mission Impossible 8 have been moved from November 2022 to July 7, 2023.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/02/top-gun-maverick-big-game-spot"]

Paramount’s Dungeons & Dragons film is also being pushed back, from May 2022 to March 3, 2023.

The currently untitled Star Trek film, assumedly the one being written by Fear the Walking Dead’s Kalinda Vasquez, has been pushed back to June 9, 2023.

Top Gun: Maverick, which was shot with IMAX’s large-screen camera format, will reportedly still maintain that theater booking since it’s taking over MI7’s release date.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/07/20/jj-abrams-star-trek-series-in-5-minutes"]

Mission Impossible 7 will now go up against Disney’s upcoming untitled live-action film and Lionsgate’s John Wick 4. Earlier this year MI7 director Christopher McQuarrie announced that Rob Delaney and Cary Elwes have joined the cast.

Other release date changes include:

  • Jackass moving from September 3 to October 22, 2021.
  • Snake Eyes is moving up from October 2021 to July 23, 2021.
  • The untitled Bee Gees biopic moving to November 4, 2022.
  • The Shrinking of Treehorn moving to November 10, 2023.
  • An untitled Ryan Reynolds and John Krasinski movie pushing back to November 17, 2023.
[poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer for IGN.

Paramount Delays Top Gun 2, Mission Impossible 7, and More Release Dates

Paramount is delaying a slew of movie release dates, including Top Gun: Maverick, Mission Impossible 7, the upcoming untitled Star Trek, and more.

Top Gun: Maverick has been moved from July 2 all the way to November 19, taking over Mission Impossible 7's now-former date. MI7 is now scheduled to release on May 27, 2022. Similarly, Mission Impossible 8 have been moved from November 2022 to July 7, 2023.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/02/02/top-gun-maverick-big-game-spot"]

Paramount’s Dungeons & Dragons film is also being pushed back, from May 2022 to March 3, 2023.

The currently untitled Star Trek film, assumedly the one being written by Fear the Walking Dead’s Kalinda Vasquez, has been pushed back to June 9, 2023.

Top Gun: Maverick, which was shot with IMAX’s large-screen camera format, will reportedly still maintain that theater booking since it’s taking over MI7’s release date.

[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/07/20/jj-abrams-star-trek-series-in-5-minutes"]

Mission Impossible 7 will now go up against Disney’s upcoming untitled live-action film and Lionsgate’s John Wick 4. Earlier this year MI7 director Christopher McQuarrie announced that Rob Delaney and Cary Elwes have joined the cast.

Other release date changes include:

  • Jackass moving from September 3 to October 22, 2021.
  • Snake Eyes is moving up from October 2021 to July 23, 2021.
  • The untitled Bee Gees biopic moving to November 4, 2022.
  • The Shrinking of Treehorn moving to November 10, 2023.
  • An untitled Ryan Reynolds and John Krasinski movie pushing back to November 17, 2023.
[poilib element="accentDivider"] Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer for IGN.

Star Wars: Republic Commando Remastered Review

First released in 2005, Star Wars: Republic Commando acted as many a young Star Wars fan's initial introduction to the concept that the clone troopers of the prequel trilogy are human beings--creating unique identities for the seemingly identical soldiers. Republic Commando has a strong legacy among Star Wars fans--despite the game's removal from the official canon, it remains a key part of the Star Wars universe, especially when it comes to video game entries.

Handled by Aspyr Media, Star Wars: Republic Commando Remastered brings the original 2005 Xbox and PC game to PS4 and Switch with enhanced HD graphics and modernized controls, though the multiplayer is absent. Otherwise, it's the same game. And though the flaws in its gameplay are only more noticeable now 16 years later, this remaster manages to still deliver a compelling story of four specialized commandos engaging in a variety of combat missions across the Clone Wars.

Squad Up

In Republic Commando, you play as RC-1138 aka "Boss," commanding sergeant of a specialized commando unit trained to take on missions that require a greater level of skill and cognitive ability than standard clone troopers possess. Your unit, Delta Squad, is also composed of sarcastic demolitions expert RC-1262 aka "Scorch," by-the-books hacker and technical analyst RC-1140 aka "Fixer," and morbidly grim sniper RC-1207 aka "Sev." The game takes place over several locations, beginning with an assignment on Geonosis at the end of Attack of the Clones and concluding on Kashyyyk just prior to the events of Revenge of the Sith.

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Star Wars: Republic Commando Remastered Review

First released in 2005, Star Wars: Republic Commando acted as many a young Star Wars fan's initial introduction to the concept that the clone troopers of the prequel trilogy are human beings--creating unique identities for the seemingly identical soldiers. Republic Commando has a strong legacy among Star Wars fans--despite the game's removal from the official canon, it remains a key part of the Star Wars universe, especially when it comes to video game entries.

Handled by Aspyr Media, Star Wars: Republic Commando Remastered brings the original 2005 Xbox and PC game to PS4 and Switch with enhanced HD graphics and modernized controls, though the multiplayer is absent. Otherwise, it's the same game. And though the flaws in its gameplay are only more noticeable now 16 years later, this remaster manages to still deliver a compelling story of four specialized commandos engaging in a variety of combat missions across the Clone Wars.

Squad Up

In Republic Commando, you play as RC-1138 aka "Boss," commanding sergeant of a specialized commando unit trained to take on missions that require a greater level of skill and cognitive ability than standard clone troopers possess. Your unit, Delta Squad, is also composed of sarcastic demolitions expert RC-1262 aka "Scorch," by-the-books hacker and technical analyst RC-1140 aka "Fixer," and morbidly grim sniper RC-1207 aka "Sev." The game takes place over several locations, beginning with an assignment on Geonosis at the end of Attack of the Clones and concluding on Kashyyyk just prior to the events of Revenge of the Sith.

Continue Reading at GameSpot