An FMV horror game called Ghosts has been revealed to be in development, and it'll only be playable in its intended form at 10pm every night in your local timezone. Ghosts is coming to PlayStation, PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and Mac, and will be released by Limited Run Games on February 22, 2022. The game is written and directed by Jed Henderson, the writer of the 2020 Zoom horror flick Host. Most of the cast of Host will also reunite and star in Ghosts.

Excited to announce that I'm making a REAL-TIME, live-action HORROR video game w/ creature design by @slimyswampghost & made by Jim Henson's Creature Shop!

Released by @LimitedRunGames & starring Haley, Jemma, Emma, Radina and Caroline. They can tell you all about it-#ghosts pic.twitter.com/5PeUa4CrHT — Jed (@Jedshepherd) April 7, 2021

As for how the game works, players take on the role of a TV producer for a failing cable channel, FrighTV. Ghosts is the channel's flagship show, a re-branded version of a popular show where viewers used to watch ghost hunters explore haunted locations. It seems like you'll be watching (and calling the shots on) this new version of the show and following the cast as they are haunted by an antagonistic force called The Long Lady. Designed to be playable only at 10pm in your local timezone each night, the game will star cast members from pandemic horror hit Host, including Haley Bishop, Radina Drandova, Jemma Moore, Caroline Ward and Emma Louise Webb. They're investigating a street reportedly haunted by the Long Lady. While details are scarce, it seems you'll be making decisions for them as they search the area. No "floating words or glowing doors" will be presented to guide you, meaning you're seemingly playing the game through the eyes of the camera only. "There are consequences for all of your choices though," reads the press release. "Playing it safe is not always the best option!" [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/08/ghosts-announcement-video"] As mentioned in the video above, if players turn the game off at any point, they lose, and the cast will die in "really horrible ways". If players load up the game before 10pm they will be met with a classic test card. "If you can crack the ‘test’ you will have access to an unlockable pre-watershed version where you can breathe and save your progress, but once you hit 10pm all bets are off," the press release reads. Creature design for Ghosts is being handled by Trevor Henderson, the creator of Siren Head. The feared (and as-yet unseen) "Long Lady" will also be fabricated by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. FMV games have made something of a comeback in recent years, with the likes of The Complex and Erica taking on sci-fi and mystery stories respectively. Horror is where the genre previously saw it most notable games in the '90s heyday, and Ghosts is clearly looking to bring back classic live-action scares. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

In the latest episode of IGN Unfiltered, Ryan McCaffrey was joined by IO Interactive CEO and co-owner Hakan Abrak to talk about what IO is working on, the upcoming James Bond game, the future of Hitman, separating from Square Enix, and much more. While discussing his thoughts on "support studios," Abrak also revealed that Hitman and the highly anticipated James Bond game aren't the only projects the studio is working on. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/06/hitman-studio-boss-talks-hitmans-future-the-new-james-bond-game-and-more-ign-unfiltered-57"] "We have 007 we're working on, we have Hitman that we're working on... I should mention we're working on something else, as well. Something completely new... a new IP (intellectual property)." We'll have to wait a bit longer to learn what the project is, but IO will keep supporting Hitman 3 in the meantime, and with the approaching 007 game, studio fans will have things to sink their teeth into while awaiting more news. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=hitman-3-playstation-5-screenshots&captions=true"] Abrak also revealed, humorously, that even the studio's founders don't recall what the "IO" in "IO Interactive" stands for. "There are a lot of myths about what it is. I've been with IO for more than 14 years now, but I'm not part of the founders... I still know most of them... when I ask them, they don't even remember themselves, why, or what it was." "'Input / Output' is a good guess. Another one is '[one of Jupiter's moons,] Io' and stuff like that. They are having fun being secretive around that but, honestly, there's not a clear, 'This is it!'" [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/02/hitman-3-reviews-is-this-the-best-hitman-ever-the-review-crew"]

For more interviews with the best, brightest, most fascinating minds in the games industry, check out be sure to check out every episode of IGN Unfiltered, which includes talks with Bethesda's Todd Howard, Uncharted creator Amy Hennig, Master Chief co-creator Marcus Lehto, Valve's Robin Walker & Chris Remo, and so many more.

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Brian Barnett writes wiki guides, deals posts, features, and much more for IGN. You can get your fix of Brian's antics on Twitter and Instagram (@Ribnax).

GameStop's board of directors is, once again, preparing for another upheaval -- with Ryan Cohen heading up a leadership takeover of Chewy veterans. In an announcement today, GameStop revealed the candidates for its board of directors to be decided on at the annual meeting on June 9. They are Alan Attal (former Chewy COO and CMO), Larry Cheng (co-founder of tech-focused investment group Volition Capital, which was the first investor in Chewy), Jim Grube (former Chewy CFO), George Sherman (current GameStop CEO), Yang Xu (senior VP of global finance and treasury at Kraft Heinz), and Cohen, who will stand for election as chairman. With this, GameStop's board will be two-thirds run by people with Chewy connections, with Cohen at the head as he continues to play a major role in a push to transform GameStop into an e-commerce giant. His visibility and success with Chewy were also key factors in the Reddit-driven short squeeze of GameStop stock earlier this year. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/28/what-is-going-on-with-gamestop-stock-ign-now"] Additionally, today Kurtis Wolf announced his resignation from the GameStop board of directors effective immediately. Wolf was instrumental in kicking off GameStop's transformation before Cohen appeared on the scene, taking a place on the board last year after a multi-year shareholder dispute that shook up the board of directors multiple times and began the push for change at the company. Notably, a number of other current board members are missing from this roster. Current board chair Kathy Vrabeck and directors Carrie Teffner, Raul Fernandez, Lizabeth Dunn, and James Symancyk indicated earlier this year they would not run for re-election, and former Nintendo head Reggie Fils-Aimé already announced his departure from the board after just a year. That leaves Paul Evans (who was notably appointed to the board alongside Wolf during last year's board shake-up) and William Simon who had not previously announced a departure, but do not seem to be sticking around. Other recent company leadership departures have included CMO and executive VP Chris Homeister, CCO Frank Hamlin, and CFO Jim Bell. GameStop's continued shake-ups appear to be in preparation for a major shift in the company's strategy after years of falling revenues. Its latest earnings call kept annoyingly silent about what these changes might actually, practically look like, but a recently announced equity offering program to sell up to 3.5 million shares of company stock indicates that wheels are in motion to turn the company's finances around and raise money for major changes to come. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

There's an old saying that once the genie is out of the bottle, it's nearly impossible to get it back in. WarnerMedia's CEO Jason Kilar is going to see if he can pull off the impossible. Beginning in 2022, WarnerMedia's biggest tentpole films — DC, Harry Potter, MonsterVerse — will play exclusively in theaters for 45 days before moving to a service "like HBO Max," Kilar told Vox's Peter Kafka on an episode of Recode Media. This isn't too surprising considering that Cineworld, owner of Regal Cinemas, announced a similar plan previously. One major caveat is whether WarnerMedia has a similar deal with AMC. Back in March, AMC CEO Adam Aron told analysts on an earnings call that "you should properly assume that if we're playing Warner movies, we came to agreement with Warner that any changes in their strategy are being done in ways where AMC shareholders benefit," but no official announcement has been made. Much like Universal, which has a similar deal with AMC for a shortened theatrical window, a 45 day exclusive play period doesn't mean Warner Bros. has to pull its films after 45 days. If a movie like The Batman, Black Adam, or Fantastic Beasts III are over-performing, Warner Bros. can keep the film in theaters longer. Statistically, this is rarely the case. Most movies make the majority of their box office revenue within the first three to five weeks of being in theaters – about 21 to 40 days. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/29/godzilla-vs-kong-review"] Before the pandemic accelerated trends (like the importance of streaming and the near collapse of theatrical windows), studios had to commit to keeping their films in theaters for nearly 90 days. This worked well if the studio was Disney and movies like The Lion King, Avengers: Endgame, Toy Story 4, or Aladdin were pulling in north of $1 billion or $2 billion. Most studios are not seeing Disney's overarching success at theaters. Asking studios to commit to 90 days, especially when those studios belong to bigger conglomerates that have streaming services they want to bulk up with exciting new movies (remember: big titles bring subscribers in, a full library of films and TV shows keeps them from canceling), is unrealistic. Another undeniable part of the equation is theater attendance. Companies like WarnerMedia and Disney used theater closures in 2020 to justify moving their movies to HBO Max and Disney+ respectively. In countries where HBO Max and Disney+ were unavailable, movies were released theatrically. In some cases, the studios saw success. Tenet amassed $305 million globally, while Soul nabbed $117 million globally, with $57 million coming from China alone, making it Pixar's second most successful film in China ever. In the United States, they didn't come close. Tenet saw $58 million in the US, while Wonder Woman 1984 garnered $46 million. Executives likely assumed this would be the case, and that's why Wonder Woman 1984 was promoted as an HBO Max title in the US while it received a bigger theatrical push internationally. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=wonder-woman-1984-photos&captions=true"] Things started to change with Godzilla vs Kong. The movie had "a larger viewing audience than any other film or show on HBO Max since launch," according to the company, and also grossed $32.2 million in its domestic opening weekend. That's an impressive number considering the pandemic means theaters are still operating at limited capacity. Currently, the movie has generated more than $250 million globally in just two weeks leading industry analysts to declare that theaters are back, baby. One of the biggest differences between when Tenet was released and now is vaccine rollouts. When Godzilla vs Kong was released in the United States on March 31st, an average of 3.1 million vaccines started being administered daily, according to the Washington Post. The CDC estimates that by April 6th, approximately 19% of the United States population was vaccinated. In states like New York and California, roughly 85% of people will be vaccinated (reaching herd immunity) by July and October 2021 respectively. (New York and California also make up a large percentage of theatrical revenue in the United States.) In China, another incredibly important market for studios, the country's government is aiming to vaccinate 40% of its population by the middle of the year, according to Reuters. Even if 2021 is a wash theatrically, it's clear to see why studios like Warner Bros. and Disney want to play nice with exhibitors. People's appetites to head back to theaters when it's safe enough to do so is apparent; in countries like China and Japan where case numbers are lower, domestic movie releases are seeing gigantic turnouts. Despite ominous chants from industry insiders that "theaters are dead," you don't have to look further than Avengers: Endgame reaction clips on YouTube to see why people want to head back to their local cinema. The same thing that was true in 2019 will likely be true in 2022 when countries start to see much higher vaccination rates: event style, tentpole movies will drive people to theaters. Everything else can go to HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, Paramount+, or whatever else. While theater attendance has decreased year over year on average, box office revenue has increased. Superhero movies (especially the MCU) and big franchise blockbusters are mostly why. When Kilar brings up The Batman he isn't doing so because it's a random movie — it's the exact type of title audiences will go back to theaters to watch. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Julia Alexander is IGN's top streaming editor. Have a story tip? DM her on Twitter @loudmouthjulia or request her Signal number by emailing julia_alexander@ziffdavis.com.

The Open Beta Test for the upcoming Resident Evil multiplayer game mode, RE: Verse, has been temporarily suspended due to matchmaking troubles.

【Regarding the RE:Verse OBT】 As we are still seeing issues with RE:Verse OBT matchmaking service, we have decided that until further notice to temporarily suspend the OBT to resolve the problem. We will continue to investigate, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused.

— Capcom Dev 1 (@dev1_official) April 8, 2021

Announced on Twitter, Capcom Development Division 1 explained that it is still seeing issues with the RE: Verse beta matchmaking service. The team is continuing to investigate the problem, but without an immediate solution the decision has been made to temporarily suspend the beta. The beta will be suspended "until further notice", with no new dates mentioned. It seems like we can only expect a rescheduled beta period for RE: Verse when the problem has been resolved and matchmaking is working. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/01/21/re-verse-resident-evil-village-multiplayer-reveal"] RE: Verse is the multiplayer component of the upcoming Resident Evil Village, and will allow players to take on the roles of classic Resident Evil characters in a deathmatch-like mode. The open beta test for RE: Verse was due to start on April 7, but matchmaking problems have meant players have struggled to get involved. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Datamining of a recent Nintendo Switch update could suggest that the console will get a new dock for a 4K version of the console, and that it may see an update to allow for Bluetooth audio. Dataminer OatmealDome has pointed out that the Switch's 12.0.0 update contains references to potentially unannounced features. While Nintendo's patch notes only say that a save data backup bug has been fixed, fans looking through the update files have remarked on other changes. OatmealDome initially spotted that the update seems to allow for the Switch's dock to be updated itself – something that shouldn't be necessary given how basic the components in the dock are. However, hexkyz on Twitter pointed out that the use of the term 'crda' in the firmware seems to stand for "Cradle Aula" – 'Cradle' being the internal term for the Switch dock, and 'Aula' being a purported codename for the much-rumoured 4K Switch upgrade. OatmealDome also points to a new internal setting – '4kdp_preferred_over_usb30' – that could relate to a 4K display port output, something that would only be needed in a Switch upgrade. While none of the above is certain, and firmware settings can be implemented without ever being used, the idea of a new dock and 4K output tallies with the idea of new, potentially more expensive Switch model.

[Nintendo Switch Firmware Update]

About my earlier tweet about update 12.0.0 being able to upgrade the dock firmware... There is also this setting: "is_crda_fw_update_supported" "CrdA" = Cradle (Dock) for Aula. Aula is the codename for the new model. (Thanks to @hexkyz!) https://t.co/USSPCbG20q pic.twitter.com/gwsOZdmg6b — OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) April 6, 2021

Separately, the dataminer has shown off that the firmware update adds audio support to the Switch's Bluetooth driver. Bluetooth audio has been a much requested feature since the Switch's launch – allowing players to use wireless headsets rather than the 3.5mm jack – and its possible that update would finally allow it to work. However, the dataminer makes clear that they're not sure anything on the console uses it at this point and, as with the dock changes, it could end up never being utilised at all. It is possible, of course, that a Switch upgrade would add the feature however (and mainly-docked players like me would be very happy about that). While impossible to confirm officially at this time, if Nintendo is working on a new Switch, it stands to reason that it would look to implement internal upgrades to support it ahead of release. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/articles/game-scoop-618-if-this-switch-pro-rumor-is-true-is-it-enough"] Rumours of a so-called Switch Pro model have persisted for a long time, with Nintendo going as far as saying it wouldn't announce a new model 'anytime soon', and analysts remaining conflicted on a 2021 release. However, with the company reportedly expecting a second year of record sales, it may be that a new model is seen as a means to boosting software sales. We've also looked into whether a rumoured new chip will help the Switch keep up with PS5 and Xbox Series X. [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.

Arkane and Bethesda have announced that Deathloop has been delayed once more, pushing the time-looping immersive sim back to September 2021. In a video and written statement, game director Dinga Bakaba and art director Sebastien Mitton explained that Arkane has made the decision to delay Deathoop from May 21 to September 14, 2021.

pic.twitter.com/f0OWWxdUkt

— DEATHLOOP (@deathloop) April 8, 2021

"We're committed to quality and preserving our team's ambitions for Deathloop while ensuring the health and safety of everyone at Arkane," reads the statement. "We'll be using this extra time to accomplish our goal: create a fun, stylish, and mind-bending player experience." Originally, Deathloop was intended to release in the launch window of the PlayStation 5, and so was expected around November/December 2020. Arkane delayed the project to Q2 2021, settling on the May 21 date. But now we'll have to wait a few more months, with September 14 being the new date. As for the game release calendar, this moves Deathloop away from the upcoming Resident Evil Village and Mass Effect Legendary edition, so there's now more space in your calendar for those. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/25/deathloop-deja-vu-state-of-play-trailer"] For more on Arkane's fascinating new game, check out the full presentation on Deathloop from IGN Fan Fest earlier this year, where we learned that players will once again be able to use powers similar to those in Dishonored to succeed in their quest of breaking the time loop. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Regé-Jean Page has spoken out after a report alleged that he was rejected from a role in Syfy's Superman spin-off series Krypton because of his race. A report from The Hollywood Reporter published on Tuesday alleged that Page had previously auditioned for the role of Superman's grandfather in Krypton because, according to multiple sources, the creators of the show had expressed that they were "passionate about doing some nontraditional casting" for the show, which was later cancelled after just two seasons on the air. After auditioning for the part, Page is said to have missed out on the role because former DC Films chairman Geoff Johns, who was overseeing the series at the time, allegedly "vetoed the idea," with sources claiming that Johns had stated that Superman "could not have a black grandfather." Reps for Johns have since weighed in on the report, denying that he ever made such a comment. [caption id="attachment_2497423" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image credit: Twitter/regejean[/caption] In a tweet on Wednesday, Page appeared to address the report that had circulated just one day earlier, as he shared a message that seemingly referenced the allegations. "Hearing about these conversations hurts no less now than it did back then," he wrote. "The clarifications almost hurt more tbh. Still just doing my thing. Still we do the work. We still fly." A rep for Johns told E! News: "Geoff never said Superman can't have a Black ancestor or be Black—there have been diverse versions of Superman throughout the comics for decades so he does and can be diverse. However, the expectation for Krypton was that it would initially be perceived as a possible prequel to Man of Steel by the fans and the lead was expected to invoke a young Henry Cavill." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dc-extended-universe-every-upcoming-movie&captions=true"] While Cameron Cuffe ultimately landed the Seg-El role, Page went on to play Simon Bassett in Bridgerton, Netflix's Regency era debutante drama. In IGN's review of the series, Bridgerton was awarded a nine out of 10, with particular praise being given for the "impeccable" chemistry between Page's mysterious and conflicted Basset and Phoebe Dynevor's Daphne Bridgerton. However, Page will not be returning for Bridgerton Season 2. Bridgerton's official Twitter page shared a letter from Lady Whisteldown to announce the news last week. "We bid adieu to Rege-Jean Page, who so triumphantly played the Duke of Hastings," the post read. "We'll miss Simon's presence onscreen, but he will always be a part of the Bridgerton family." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

Co-developers Dotemu, Lizardcube, and Guard Crush Games have announced that Streets of Rage 4 is to receive a new game mode, characters, and customisation options across two DLC packages; a paid-for pack and a free update. The paid-for Mr. X Nightmare DLC adds three new playable characters and a survival mode. All three characters have yet to be revealed, but the DLC announcement trailer reveals that Estel Aguirre, who was an enemy character in Street of Rage 4’s campaign, will now be a playable fighter. As for the new survival mode, the developers promise challenges and special tests of skills. As with the DLC characters, an air of mystery has been left over the details, so we’ll have to wait to find out more. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/08/streets-of-rage-4-mr-x-nightmare-dlc-official-trailer"] This premium DLC pack also includes the ability to customise the fighting style of each character, allowing players to choose new moves. During levels, players will also find new weapons and enemies to contend with. A separate, free update will also introduce the New Mania+ difficulty level to offer a “brutal challenge” for experienced players, while a new training system will help people perfect combos. It also adds new colour palette options for characters. Dotemu has not announced a release date for either the paid-for DLC or free update, only going as far as to say they will be available later this year. If Streets of Rage 4 hasn’t caught your eye so far, be sure to check out our review. And if you’re already a fan, check out how to unlock every retro level. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Jodie Turner-Smith has exited Netflix's upcoming Witcher prequel series, The Witcher: Blood Origin, due to a scheduling conflict. Deadline first reported the news of Smith's departure, with a statement from Netflix confirming the actress' exit from the series. "Due to a change in the production schedule for The Witcher: Blood Origin limited series, unfortunately Jodie Turner-Smith will no longer be able to continue on in the role of Éile," a spokesperson for the streamer told the outlet. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-witcher-explaining-all-the-characters-and-who-plays-them&captions=true"] Smith had been lined up to star in one of the show's lead roles, playing Éile, "an elite warrior blessed with the voice of a goddess, [who] has left her clan and position as Queen's guardian to follow her heart as a nomadic musician. A grand reckoning on the continent forces her to return to the way of the blade in her quest for vengeance and redemption." A new actress will now need to be found for the role, starring alongside previously-announced cast member Laurence O'Fuarain, who has been cast as Fjall, a warrior that "carries a deep scar within, the death of a loved one who fell in battle trying to save him," propelling him to fight "beside the most unlikely of allies as he carves a path of vengeance across a continent in turmoil." Set 1,200 years before the events of The Witcher, Netflix's hit series starring Henry Cavill, the streamer's upcoming six-part prequel series will tell a story lost to time — regarding the creation of the first prototype Witcher, and the events that lead to the pivotal "conjunction of the spheres," when the worlds of monsters, men, and elves merged to become one. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/15/the-witcher-season-2-will-see-all-characters-exist-on-same-timeline-ign-news"] Blood Origin is being developed by the original series' showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, and Declan de Barra who wrote The Witcher Season 1 episode 'Of Banquets, Bastards and Burials.' The Witcher novelist Andrzej Sapkowski is also onboard as a creative consultant. No release date has been set for The Witcher: Blood Origin or The Witcher Season 2, though production recently wrapped on the latter. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.