Monthly Archives: April 2021

Playable Protoype Of Cancelled Dreamcast Castlevania 3D Platformer SeeminglyFound

A playable prototype of a cancelled Dreamcast Castlevania 3D platformer has seemingly been found. As reported by Polygon, a YouTube video titled Castlevania Resurrection Exists has surfaced, showing a user booting and playing what appears to be an early prototype of the cancelled late '90s project. According to Dreamcast preservationists, the build comes from before E3 1999 and features five 3D environments and a boss fight. You can read more about the game on Unseen64, which explains how it was cancelled due to "disagreements between the Japanese and American Konami teams." It would have been set in 1666 and featured Sonia Belmont (from Castlevania Legends) meeting new character Victor Belmont (who would later appear in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2013/06/06/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2-interview"] The anonymous owner boots the game from a disc marked "Sega confidential", dated 1999, and reading 'Castlevania Resurrection' in handwritten text. The owner then shows a number of levels from a "section select" developer menu, including Logo, Title, Courtyard, Stairs, Hall, Corridor and Chapel. Movement appears intact as ghostly figures follow Sonia around a lava pit and a spooky chapel. If legitimate, it's a fascinating glimpse into a promising looking game that was never made, an all-too-common story in the games industry. IGN even wrote about the game before it was cancelled, playing an early version and appraising early images. "Unlike the somewhat bland interface of the N64 version," IGN wrote, "this game looks like it might have what it takes to bring back the visual flair that once reigned supreme in the series, with a variety of creepy villains and a moody, light-sourced atmosphere that is a creepy as it is breath-taking." While Victor Belmont eventually made his debut in 2014's Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, that also marked the last time we saw a new installment in the series. Konami has since been reluctant to develop new console games for its classic franchises – but it hasn't shut down its gaming division, despite some rumours. [poilib element="accentDivider"]. Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Chernobyl, Quantum of Solace Actor Paul Ritter Dies, Aged 54

Paul Ritter – who appeared in Chernobyl, Quantum of Solace, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and more – has died at the age of 54. Speaking to The Guardian, Ritter's agent said the actor had died peacefully after suffering with a brain tumour. Ritter is survived by his wife Polly and sons Frank and Noah. Ritter was a multi-talented screen and stage actor, known for taking on both dramatic and comedic roles. In recent years, he was perhaps best known for playing deputy-chief engineer Anatoly Dyatlov in Chernobyl and the hilarious (often shirtless) Martin Goodman in UK sitcom Friday Night Dinner. He also played Guy Haines in Bond movie Quantum of Solace, Eldred Worple in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and appeared in many other movie and TV projects. [caption id="attachment_2496469" align="alignnone" width="1280"]Paul Ritter as Anatoly Dyatlov in Chernobyl. Paul Ritter as Anatoly Dyatlov in Chernobyl.[/caption] Friday Night Dinner creator Robert Popper called him the "greatest actor I ever worked with" in a tribute on Twitter, while comedian Rob Delaney pointed to Ritter's versatility: "Knocked it out of the PARK in Chernobyl. Watching it I consciously thought, "Oh, we have a new movie star." Between that & how funny he was in Friday Night Dinner... just unreal talent. Rest in peace, Paul Ritter." Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss wrote, "Paul Ritter. What an actor. What a presence. So shocked and saddened by this awful news. RIP." Actor Eddie Marsan added, "Just out of drama school I saw a production of 3 Sisters. A young actor playing Tuzenbach, did the monologue before the duel. I’d heard it every week at DS. But when he did it, I forgot I’d heard it before. He went on to be one of our greatest actors.  RIP Paul Ritter." All of us at IGN offer our condolences to Ritter's family and friends. [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.

Chernobyl, Quantum of Solace Actor Paul Ritter Dies, Aged 54

Paul Ritter – who appeared in Chernobyl, Quantum of Solace, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and more – has died at the age of 54. Speaking to The Guardian, Ritter's agent said the actor had died peacefully after suffering with a brain tumour. Ritter is survived by his wife Polly and sons Frank and Noah. Ritter was a multi-talented screen and stage actor, known for taking on both dramatic and comedic roles. In recent years, he was perhaps best known for playing deputy-chief engineer Anatoly Dyatlov in Chernobyl and the hilarious (often shirtless) Martin Goodman in UK sitcom Friday Night Dinner. He also played Guy Haines in Bond movie Quantum of Solace, Eldred Worple in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and appeared in many other movie and TV projects. [caption id="attachment_2496469" align="alignnone" width="1280"]Paul Ritter as Anatoly Dyatlov in Chernobyl. Paul Ritter as Anatoly Dyatlov in Chernobyl.[/caption] Friday Night Dinner creator Robert Popper called him the "greatest actor I ever worked with" in a tribute on Twitter, while comedian Rob Delaney pointed to Ritter's versatility: "Knocked it out of the PARK in Chernobyl. Watching it I consciously thought, "Oh, we have a new movie star." Between that & how funny he was in Friday Night Dinner... just unreal talent. Rest in peace, Paul Ritter." Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss wrote, "Paul Ritter. What an actor. What a presence. So shocked and saddened by this awful news. RIP." Actor Eddie Marsan added, "Just out of drama school I saw a production of 3 Sisters. A young actor playing Tuzenbach, did the monologue before the duel. I’d heard it every week at DS. But when he did it, I forgot I’d heard it before. He went on to be one of our greatest actors.  RIP Paul Ritter." All of us at IGN offer our condolences to Ritter's family and friends. [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.

Borderlands’ Cinematic Universe Is Officially Different To the Borderlands Video Game Universe

Borderlands writer and Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has made clear that the Borderlands cinematic universe is different to the Borderlands video game universe, after fans expressed concerns about the recently revealed plot for the Borderlands movie. Pitchford revealed the news in a tweet after the synopsis for the forthcoming Borderlands film was released earlier this week. The plot summary revealed that the movie was diverging from the plot of the game series, mainly by introducing a mostly unseen character called Atlas as the main antagonist, played by Edgar Ramirez. Many also pointed to the lack of mention of a Vault – sources of alien technology that act as something of a Holy Grail for the protagonsts of the Borderlands games – and Handsome Jack, the villain most associated with the series. Seemingly in response to those questions around the plot, Pitchford wrote: "The Borderlands Cinematic Universe is not identical to the Borderlands Videogame Universe. We are authentic to characters, tone and style, but allow for independent storylines. The mediums are not the same, so the content should not be bound to the same rules." Essentially, Director Eli Roth (Hostel) and writer Craig Mazin (Chernobyl, The Last of Us) are trying to tell a new story in a new verison of the Borderlands universe, riffing off of the themes and characters established in the game franchise, which is par for the course for most adaptations. However, some fans have expressed disappointment after reading the synopsis, which is likely what led Pitchford to clarify how the team is approaching the movie with regards to the established narrative in the game series. In IGN's comments section for the news of the movie's plot, TheCreepyPasta wrote, "Aaaaah now I get it! So many theories to explain a weird cast and age discrepancies, only to prove again that the simplest answer is often the right one: they never ever tried to adapt the story of the franchise in first place." Alien_Whal3 on Reddit said that it "sounds painfully like they already had a script for some generic sci-fi movie and they adapted borderlands to it. "I don't expect it to be awful, I'm sure it will be okay, but damn is it going to be painful to see how poorly they represent the games and characters." James-Avatar added, "This is just another ‘not made for the fans and too weird for the general public’ box office bombs." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/borderlands-the-movie-gets-an-official-synopsis"] It's of course possible that Vaults, Handsome Jack and other recognisable elements from the games will appear in the final movie, and are being held back from the basic synopsis – but fans are clearly concerned at the early changes being made to the formula. The Borderlands movie, which doesn't yet have a release date, will see Cate Blanchett as Lilith, Jamie Lee Curtis as Dr. Tannis, Jack Black as Claptrap, Kevin Hart as Roland, an ex-soldier turned mercenary, Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, Florian Munteanu as Tina Tina's protector, Krieg, and Hillbilly Elegy's Haley Bennett as an unnamed character connected to Lilith. The movie will see the crew "battle alien monsters and dangerous bandits to find and protect [a] missing girl, who may hold the key to unimaginable power. The fate of the universe could be in their hands – but they’ll be fighting for something more: each other." It's one of a host of in-production movie and TV adaptations of games right now. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Borderlands’ Cinematic Universe Is Officially Different To the Borderlands Video Game Universe

Borderlands writer and Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has made clear that the Borderlands cinematic universe is different to the Borderlands video game universe, after fans expressed concerns about the recently revealed plot for the Borderlands movie. Pitchford revealed the news in a tweet after the synopsis for the forthcoming Borderlands film was released earlier this week. The plot summary revealed that the movie was diverging from the plot of the game series, mainly by introducing a mostly unseen character called Atlas as the main antagonist, played by Edgar Ramirez. Many also pointed to the lack of mention of a Vault – sources of alien technology that act as something of a Holy Grail for the protagonsts of the Borderlands games – and Handsome Jack, the villain most associated with the series. Seemingly in response to those questions around the plot, Pitchford wrote: "The Borderlands Cinematic Universe is not identical to the Borderlands Videogame Universe. We are authentic to characters, tone and style, but allow for independent storylines. The mediums are not the same, so the content should not be bound to the same rules." Essentially, Director Eli Roth (Hostel) and writer Craig Mazin (Chernobyl, The Last of Us) are trying to tell a new story in a new verison of the Borderlands universe, riffing off of the themes and characters established in the game franchise, which is par for the course for most adaptations. However, some fans have expressed disappointment after reading the synopsis, which is likely what led Pitchford to clarify how the team is approaching the movie with regards to the established narrative in the game series. In IGN's comments section for the news of the movie's plot, TheCreepyPasta wrote, "Aaaaah now I get it! So many theories to explain a weird cast and age discrepancies, only to prove again that the simplest answer is often the right one: they never ever tried to adapt the story of the franchise in first place." Alien_Whal3 on Reddit said that it "sounds painfully like they already had a script for some generic sci-fi movie and they adapted borderlands to it. "I don't expect it to be awful, I'm sure it will be okay, but damn is it going to be painful to see how poorly they represent the games and characters." James-Avatar added, "This is just another ‘not made for the fans and too weird for the general public’ box office bombs." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/borderlands-the-movie-gets-an-official-synopsis"] It's of course possible that Vaults, Handsome Jack and other recognisable elements from the games will appear in the final movie, and are being held back from the basic synopsis – but fans are clearly concerned at the early changes being made to the formula. The Borderlands movie, which doesn't yet have a release date, will see Cate Blanchett as Lilith, Jamie Lee Curtis as Dr. Tannis, Jack Black as Claptrap, Kevin Hart as Roland, an ex-soldier turned mercenary, Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, Florian Munteanu as Tina Tina's protector, Krieg, and Hillbilly Elegy's Haley Bennett as an unnamed character connected to Lilith. The movie will see the crew "battle alien monsters and dangerous bandits to find and protect [a] missing girl, who may hold the key to unimaginable power. The fate of the universe could be in their hands – but they’ll be fighting for something more: each other." It's one of a host of in-production movie and TV adaptations of games right now. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Engineer Builds the World’s Largest Playable Switch and Then Donates It

Space software engineer Michael Pick has not only created the world's largest playable Nintendo Switch, he also donated it to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt for the kids to enjoy. Pick shared a video creating this Switch on his YouTube page, and explained how he built a fully functional Switch that has a 650% larger screen than the standard Switch and features a 4K display. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=engineer-builds-the-worlds-largest-playable-nintendo-switch&captions=true"] Every button on this 65-pound, 70"x30" Switch works just like the real one, but Joy-Con and Switch Pro Controllers can also be used. Pick built this Switch with a combination of wood and 3D printing material, and it uses a real Switch alongside servos and a micro controller that allows the buttons to register when pushed. The joysticks were also 3D printed, and rubber bands were used to center the giant joysticks over the factory joysticks. Pick shows the massive Switch playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Fortnite, and you can see how it takes his entire wingspan to use all the buttons. IGN spoke to Pick about his latest project, and he explained the inspiration behind taking on the challenge of building the world's largest Switch. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/04/new-nintendo-switch-with-bigger-screen-4k-output-on-the-way-ign-news"] "I kept losing my switch...haha," Pick joked. "No, seriously I thought it would be a really cool project. And I knew that the kids at the children's hospital would love it. So it was a win-win in my book. "The hospital told me they intend to install the Giant Switch in one of the play rooms for the kids to play games on. They'll most likely be using Joy-Cons/pro controllers, so using the switch to play games on won't be a full-body workout (like what you see in my video! haha)." Before the Switch, Pick's focus was on smaller creations, such as building the world's smallest MacBook Pro, iMac, and Gaming PC, and he teased that his next project was going to be a Guinness World Record attempt based on a "very iconic children's toy." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-top-25-switch-games-fall-2020-update&captions=true"] While the rumored Switch Pro may not have a screen quite as big as this one, it's always great to see what a larger, 4K display would look like on Nintendo's ever-popular console. [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.

Engineer Builds the World’s Largest Playable Switch and Then Donates It

Space software engineer Michael Pick has not only created the world's largest playable Nintendo Switch, he also donated it to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt for the kids to enjoy. Pick shared a video creating this Switch on his YouTube page, and explained how he built a fully functional Switch that has a 650% larger screen than the standard Switch and features a 4K display. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=engineer-builds-the-worlds-largest-playable-nintendo-switch&captions=true"] Every button on this 65-pound, 70"x30" Switch works just like the real one, but Joy-Con and Switch Pro Controllers can also be used. Pick built this Switch with a combination of wood and 3D printing material, and it uses a real Switch alongside servos and a micro controller that allows the buttons to register when pushed. The joysticks were also 3D printed, and rubber bands were used to center the giant joysticks over the factory joysticks. Pick shows the massive Switch playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Fortnite, and you can see how it takes his entire wingspan to use all the buttons. IGN spoke to Pick about his latest project, and he explained the inspiration behind taking on the challenge of building the world's largest Switch. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/04/new-nintendo-switch-with-bigger-screen-4k-output-on-the-way-ign-news"] "I kept losing my switch...haha," Pick joked. "No, seriously I thought it would be a really cool project. And I knew that the kids at the children's hospital would love it. So it was a win-win in my book. "The hospital told me they intend to install the Giant Switch in one of the play rooms for the kids to play games on. They'll most likely be using Joy-Cons/pro controllers, so using the switch to play games on won't be a full-body workout (like what you see in my video! haha)." Before the Switch, Pick's focus was on smaller creations, such as building the world's smallest MacBook Pro, iMac, and Gaming PC, and he teased that his next project was going to be a Guinness World Record attempt based on a "very iconic children's toy." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-top-25-switch-games-fall-2020-update&captions=true"] While the rumored Switch Pro may not have a screen quite as big as this one, it's always great to see what a larger, 4K display would look like on Nintendo's ever-popular console. [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.

Jimmy Fallon Will Make His Twitch Debut Playing Among Us With Stranger Things Stars

Jimmy Fallon, the host of The Tonight Show, will make his Twitch streaming debut tomorrow April 6 at 3:45 pm PT/ 6:45 pm ET when he and a few celebrity guests will play Among Us on The Tonight Show's official Twitch channel. Fallon will be joined by members of The Roots Questlove, Tariq Trotter, and Kirk Douglas as they play Among Us with Stranger Things stars Noah Schnapp and Gaten Matarazzo.

Also appearing are Among Us community director Victoria Tran and streamers Corpse Husband, Sykkuno, and Valkyrae. The group will play the new Airship map in Among Us which was released on March 31.

The stream will premiere tomorrow on Jimmy Fallon's Twitch channel and portions of the show will air next week on The Tonight Show. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/26/among-us-airship-trailer"] This will be a first for The Tonight Show and Fallon and a sign that Twitch is quickly becoming the live streaming platform of choice for celebrities looking to reach online users or branch off into video game content. Previously, politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez streamed Among Us on Twitch as part of an effort to raise awareness about voting. However, despite this first stream on Twitch Fallon is no stranger to video games. In 2016 Fallon debuted one of the first looks at the Nintendo Switch on The Tonight Show which originated a now-famous Shigeru Miyamoto gif reaction. For his debut on Twitch, Fallon will also accept contributions to Feeding America, a nonprofit network of food banks combatting hunger. While Fallon has previously aired similar video game segments on The Tonight Show, extending into Twitch demonstrates the mainstream popularity of the live streaming platform. Amazon purchased Twitch in 2014 for $970 million and competitors like YouTube and Facebook are both angling to push for more video game live streaming on their respective platforms. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. (Photo by Mike Coppola/NBC/Getty Images for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon")

Jimmy Fallon Will Make His Twitch Debut Playing Among Us With Stranger Things Stars

Jimmy Fallon, the host of The Tonight Show, will make his Twitch streaming debut tomorrow April 6 at 3:45 pm PT/ 6:45 pm ET when he and a few celebrity guests will play Among Us on The Tonight Show's official Twitch channel. Fallon will be joined by members of The Roots Questlove, Tariq Trotter, and Kirk Douglas as they play Among Us with Stranger Things stars Noah Schnapp and Gaten Matarazzo.

Also appearing are Among Us community director Victoria Tran and streamers Corpse Husband, Sykkuno, and Valkyrae. The group will play the new Airship map in Among Us which was released on March 31.

The stream will premiere tomorrow on Jimmy Fallon's Twitch channel and portions of the show will air next week on The Tonight Show. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/26/among-us-airship-trailer"] This will be a first for The Tonight Show and Fallon and a sign that Twitch is quickly becoming the live streaming platform of choice for celebrities looking to reach online users or branch off into video game content. Previously, politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez streamed Among Us on Twitch as part of an effort to raise awareness about voting. However, despite this first stream on Twitch Fallon is no stranger to video games. In 2016 Fallon debuted one of the first looks at the Nintendo Switch on The Tonight Show which originated a now-famous Shigeru Miyamoto gif reaction. For his debut on Twitch, Fallon will also accept contributions to Feeding America, a nonprofit network of food banks combatting hunger. While Fallon has previously aired similar video game segments on The Tonight Show, extending into Twitch demonstrates the mainstream popularity of the live streaming platform. Amazon purchased Twitch in 2014 for $970 million and competitors like YouTube and Facebook are both angling to push for more video game live streaming on their respective platforms. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. (Photo by Mike Coppola/NBC/Getty Images for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon")

Star Trek Reveals First Look at Captain Janeway Animated Series

Alongside the new teaser for Season 2 of Star Trek: Picard, Paramount is teasing the return of another captain. Paramount Plus released a first look image on Monday of Star Trek: Prodigy, the streaming platform's upcoming animated series aimed at children. The show will feature the return of Captain Kathryn Janeway, with Kate Mulgrew reprising the role she originated on Star Trek: Voyager. Here is the first look at Captain Janeway in Star Trek: Prodigy. [caption id="attachment_2496356" align="alignnone" width="1000"]Credit: Paramount Plus Credit: Paramount Plus[/caption] Mulgrew also shared the image on Twitter, expressing gratitude to her collaborators on the show. "Doesn't she look absolutely fantastic?" she said. "Thanks to the #StarTrekProdigy team for bringing this next iteration of Captain Janeway to life. An honor to be back among my Trek family with a new show targeted at the next, next generation!" In the series, Janeway will not be operating as a captain, but instead as an educator, appearing as an emergency training hologram to lend help to the starship's crew. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/02/04/paramount-super-bowl-55-commercial-sweet-victory-ft-patrick-stewart-stephen-colbert-spongebob-and-more"] The story will focus on six young outcasts that don't understand the ship they are commandeering, working together to navigate the galaxy as they are introduced to the ideals of Starfleet. Star Trek: Prodigy will be set in the Delta Quadrant in the year 2383, after the events of Star Trek: Voyager. [caption id="attachment_2496353" align="alignnone" width="1280"]Credit: Paramount Credit: Paramount[/caption] Mulgrew was originally announced to be joining Star Trek: Prodigy last October, making her the second Star Trek: Voyager cast member to return in this new era of the property. Jeri Ryan's Seven of Nine was a recurring player in Star Trek: Picard Season 1. Star Trek: Prodigy is set to debut on Paramount Plus later this year. [poilib element="accentDivider"] J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.