Monthly Archives: May 2021

Nioh, Streets of Rage 4 and Jump Force Join PlayStation Now

Sony has announced May 2021’s PlayStation Now update, and it includes Jump Force, Nioh, and Streets of Rage 4, all available from May 4. Announced on the PlayStation Blog, the new games are available from today, with Jump Force remaining on the subscription service until 2 August 2021, and Streets of Rage 4 available until 1 November 2021. No removal date was given for Nioh. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/02/06/nioh-review"] It’s quite a mix of games this month, with dark samurai action game Nioh, chaotic anime arena fighter Jump Force, and 2D side scrolling brawler Streets of Rage 4 all joining the service. But PS Now currently has over 800 PS4, PS3, and PS2 titles available to stream, and over 300 PS4 games that are also available to download. Sony also reminded fans that PlayStation Now has recently started to support 1080p streaming of games on the service for PC, PS5, and PS4, depending on your internet connection. The rollout will be occurring over the next few weeks, across Europe, Canada and Japan. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/08/streets-of-rage-4-mr-x-nightmare-dlc-official-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Liam Wiseman is a freelance news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @liamthewiseman 

Nioh, Streets of Rage 4 and Jump Force Join PlayStation Now

Sony has announced May 2021’s PlayStation Now update, and it includes Jump Force, Nioh, and Streets of Rage 4, all available from May 4. Announced on the PlayStation Blog, the new games are available from today, with Jump Force remaining on the subscription service until 2 August 2021, and Streets of Rage 4 available until 1 November 2021. No removal date was given for Nioh. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/02/06/nioh-review"] It’s quite a mix of games this month, with dark samurai action game Nioh, chaotic anime arena fighter Jump Force, and 2D side scrolling brawler Streets of Rage 4 all joining the service. But PS Now currently has over 800 PS4, PS3, and PS2 titles available to stream, and over 300 PS4 games that are also available to download. Sony also reminded fans that PlayStation Now has recently started to support 1080p streaming of games on the service for PC, PS5, and PS4, depending on your internet connection. The rollout will be occurring over the next few weeks, across Europe, Canada and Japan. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/08/streets-of-rage-4-mr-x-nightmare-dlc-official-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Liam Wiseman is a freelance news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @liamthewiseman 

Nintendo Specifically Bars Japanese Partners From Working With the Yakuza

Nintendo has an official clause in its contracts that stipulates any Japanese developers or publishers it works with cannot be tied to organised crime groups such as the Yakuza. Documents and details about the inner workings of the games industry are currently being revealed as part of the ongoing Epic Games vs Apple trial. A highly confidential and heavily-redacted Nintendo document has been doing the rounds as a result. Within that document is a section on “Anti-Social Forces,” spotted by Stephen Totilo of Axios Gaming. The document notes that if a ‘Content Provider’ is based in Japan, it can not be an “Anti-Social Force” or “Boryokudan” (a Japanese term that means 'violence groups', or organized crime groups). Effectively, the document imposes a black and white ban on partners working with the Yakuza. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/20/yakuza-like-a-dragon-next-generation-of-yakuza-trailer"] If the developer or publisher wishes to work with Nintendo, they are also not allowed to ”give monetary benefits to an Anti-Social Force,” “use threat or violence in connection with transactions” or “interfere with the business of Nintendo Entities by spreading false rumours, using fraud or force,” the document reads. Of course, this doesn’t bar Nintendo from working with game studios that are making games about organized crime groups in Japan, such as Ryu Ga Gotoku’s Yakuza series. However, In the past, Yakuza series producer Daisuke Sato has said that the Nintendo Switch is not the “ideal“ platform to develop Yakuza games on. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Nintendo Specifically Bars Japanese Partners From Working With the Yakuza

Nintendo has an official clause in its contracts that stipulates any Japanese developers or publishers it works with cannot be tied to organised crime groups such as the Yakuza. Documents and details about the inner workings of the games industry are currently being revealed as part of the ongoing Epic Games vs Apple trial. A highly confidential and heavily-redacted Nintendo document has been doing the rounds as a result. Within that document is a section on “Anti-Social Forces,” spotted by Stephen Totilo of Axios Gaming. The document notes that if a ‘Content Provider’ is based in Japan, it can not be an “Anti-Social Force” or “Boryokudan” (a Japanese term that means 'violence groups', or organized crime groups). Effectively, the document imposes a black and white ban on partners working with the Yakuza. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/10/20/yakuza-like-a-dragon-next-generation-of-yakuza-trailer"] If the developer or publisher wishes to work with Nintendo, they are also not allowed to ”give monetary benefits to an Anti-Social Force,” “use threat or violence in connection with transactions” or “interfere with the business of Nintendo Entities by spreading false rumours, using fraud or force,” the document reads. Of course, this doesn’t bar Nintendo from working with game studios that are making games about organized crime groups in Japan, such as Ryu Ga Gotoku’s Yakuza series. However, In the past, Yakuza series producer Daisuke Sato has said that the Nintendo Switch is not the “ideal“ platform to develop Yakuza games on. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

A New Loki Teaser Debuted During Tonight’s Marvel-Themed NBA Game

A new short teaser for Disney+'s Loki was released during tonight's Marvel-themed NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans. This new promo spot, which was shared by those like @MarvelFacts on Twitter, gives us another glimpse at the adventures this "variant" of the God of Mischief will be undertaking. Also appearing alongside Tom Hiddleston's Loki in this spot are Owen Wilson's Mobius E. Mobius and Gugu Mbatha-Raw's Judge Renslayer. Loki will also feature Sophia Di Martina, Wunmi Mosaku, and Richard E. Grant. When Loki premieres on Disney+ on June 11, 2021, we will learn the story of the Time Variance Authority's plan to force Loki to fix the mess he made during the events of Avengers: Endgame. We will also discover how Marvel's Loki will connect to the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and how much trouble Loki can get into while traveling to various points throughout human history, influencing historical events in his mischievous way as he goes. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/05/marvel-studios-loki-official-trailer-2"] As for this Marvel-themed NBA game, the event was called NBA Special Edition Presented by State Farm: Marvel's Arena of Heroes and it included an "original" Marvel story with characters like Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Captain America, Black Widow, and Doctor Strange making an appearance. Players in the game earned Marvel Hero Points for each point, rebound, assist, steal, and block, and the telecast was Marvel-themed, featuring a comic book-style presentation - complete with "Hulk Smash" animations when dunks occurred - and special appearances by everyone's favorite heroes. [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.

A New Loki Teaser Debuted During Tonight’s Marvel-Themed NBA Game

A new short teaser for Disney+'s Loki was released during tonight's Marvel-themed NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans. This new promo spot, which was shared by those like @MarvelFacts on Twitter, gives us another glimpse at the adventures this "variant" of the God of Mischief will be undertaking. Also appearing alongside Tom Hiddleston's Loki in this spot are Owen Wilson's Mobius E. Mobius and Gugu Mbatha-Raw's Judge Renslayer. Loki will also feature Sophia Di Martina, Wunmi Mosaku, and Richard E. Grant. When Loki premieres on Disney+ on June 11, 2021, we will learn the story of the Time Variance Authority's plan to force Loki to fix the mess he made during the events of Avengers: Endgame. We will also discover how Marvel's Loki will connect to the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and how much trouble Loki can get into while traveling to various points throughout human history, influencing historical events in his mischievous way as he goes. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/04/05/marvel-studios-loki-official-trailer-2"] As for this Marvel-themed NBA game, the event was called NBA Special Edition Presented by State Farm: Marvel's Arena of Heroes and it included an "original" Marvel story with characters like Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Captain America, Black Widow, and Doctor Strange making an appearance. Players in the game earned Marvel Hero Points for each point, rebound, assist, steal, and block, and the telecast was Marvel-themed, featuring a comic book-style presentation - complete with "Hulk Smash" animations when dunks occurred - and special appearances by everyone's favorite heroes. [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.

John Swartzwelder Reveals His Favorite Simpsons Season And More

John Swartzwelder is both a beloved and enigmatic figure in Simpsons lore. Responsible for more scripts than any other writer in Simpsons history — 59 in total — he played a crucial role in developing the show's voice. But as something of a recluse, he's almost never given interviews, lending him an almost mythic aura in Simpsons history. So when Swartzwelder finally broke his silence to speak with The New Yorker over the weekend, it was big news. In the wide-ranging interview, Swartzwelder addressed many of the most famous legends from over the years, from supposedly applying for Late Night With Dave Letterman by handing in a three-by-five card containing a single joke (Swartzwelder denies it) to his time on SNL. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2015/08/20/history-of-awesome-the-simpsons"] Naturally, it was Swartzwelder's lengthy stint with the The Simpsons that garnered the most attention. He spoke honestly but fondly of his time on the show, praising the talent in the writing room, and revealing some of his secrets for producing beloved scripts like Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment. He also addressed some of the biggest legends surrounding his time at The Simpsons. For example, the rumor that he received special permission to work away from the office because he insisted on smoking. "After Season 4, I renegotiated my contract to allow me to work from home. I didn’t want to go in to work every day anymore. Getting old, I guess. It had nothing to do with smoking," Swartzwelder said. There was also the legend that he enjoyed working in a particular diner booth so much that he wound up bringing it home with him. "Actually, I bought a new diner booth and had it installed in my home," Swartzwelder replied matter-of-factly. "Later, I added a second one, in a different part of the house. Diner booths are a great place to write. Try it." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-top-30-simpsons-episodes&captions=true"] Swartzwelder went on to share some of his favorite episodes, including Bart the Murderer and Homer at the Bat, and reveal that Season 3 was his favorite of the bunch. "I will say that I’ve always thought Season 3 was our best individual season. By Season 3 we had learned how to grind out first-class 'Simpsons' episodes with surprising regularity, we had developed a big cast of characters to work with, we hadn’t even come close to running out of story lines, and the staff hadn’t been worn down by overwork yet. Season 3 was a fun year to be in the 'Simpsons' writers’ room, and I think it shows in the work," Swartzwelder said. Swartzwelder left The Simpsons in 2003. These days he self-publishes novels about a bumbling private detective named Frank Burly who has a habit of finding himself in sci-fi plots. His legacy lives on in the term "Swartzweldian," which is used to denote the mix of random and old-timey humor that infused his scripts. "I guess I understand what they’re driving at, and it all sounds very complimentary, and I thank everybody for that, but I can’t help thinking 'Swartzweldian' is about the most awkward-sounding word in the English language," Swartzwelder said. "I mean, I thought 'Oakleyesque' and 'Vittiriffic' [Simpsons' writers Bill Oakley and Jon Vitti] were bad, but 'Swartzweldian'!" The Simpsons is currently in the midst of its 32nd season, and has already been renewed for Seasons 33 and 34. It's better than you think, but if you still have some nostalgia for Golden Era Simpsons (who doesn't?), then this interview is well worth a read. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN. Her favorite episode of The Simpsons is "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show." 

John Swartzwelder Reveals His Favorite Simpsons Season And More

John Swartzwelder is both a beloved and enigmatic figure in Simpsons lore. Responsible for more scripts than any other writer in Simpsons history — 59 in total — he played a crucial role in developing the show's voice. But as something of a recluse, he's almost never given interviews, lending him an almost mythic aura in Simpsons history. So when Swartzwelder finally broke his silence to speak with The New Yorker over the weekend, it was big news. In the wide-ranging interview, Swartzwelder addressed many of the most famous legends from over the years, from supposedly applying for Late Night With Dave Letterman by handing in a three-by-five card containing a single joke (Swartzwelder denies it) to his time on SNL. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2015/08/20/history-of-awesome-the-simpsons"] Naturally, it was Swartzwelder's lengthy stint with the The Simpsons that garnered the most attention. He spoke honestly but fondly of his time on the show, praising the talent in the writing room, and revealing some of his secrets for producing beloved scripts like Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment. He also addressed some of the biggest legends surrounding his time at The Simpsons. For example, the rumor that he received special permission to work away from the office because he insisted on smoking. "After Season 4, I renegotiated my contract to allow me to work from home. I didn’t want to go in to work every day anymore. Getting old, I guess. It had nothing to do with smoking," Swartzwelder said. There was also the legend that he enjoyed working in a particular diner booth so much that he wound up bringing it home with him. "Actually, I bought a new diner booth and had it installed in my home," Swartzwelder replied matter-of-factly. "Later, I added a second one, in a different part of the house. Diner booths are a great place to write. Try it." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-top-30-simpsons-episodes&captions=true"] Swartzwelder went on to share some of his favorite episodes, including Bart the Murderer and Homer at the Bat, and reveal that Season 3 was his favorite of the bunch. "I will say that I’ve always thought Season 3 was our best individual season. By Season 3 we had learned how to grind out first-class 'Simpsons' episodes with surprising regularity, we had developed a big cast of characters to work with, we hadn’t even come close to running out of story lines, and the staff hadn’t been worn down by overwork yet. Season 3 was a fun year to be in the 'Simpsons' writers’ room, and I think it shows in the work," Swartzwelder said. Swartzwelder left The Simpsons in 2003. These days he self-publishes novels about a bumbling private detective named Frank Burly who has a habit of finding himself in sci-fi plots. His legacy lives on in the term "Swartzweldian," which is used to denote the mix of random and old-timey humor that infused his scripts. "I guess I understand what they’re driving at, and it all sounds very complimentary, and I thank everybody for that, but I can’t help thinking 'Swartzweldian' is about the most awkward-sounding word in the English language," Swartzwelder said. "I mean, I thought 'Oakleyesque' and 'Vittiriffic' [Simpsons' writers Bill Oakley and Jon Vitti] were bad, but 'Swartzweldian'!" The Simpsons is currently in the midst of its 32nd season, and has already been renewed for Seasons 33 and 34. It's better than you think, but if you still have some nostalgia for Golden Era Simpsons (who doesn't?), then this interview is well worth a read. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN. Her favorite episode of The Simpsons is "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show." 

STALKER 2 Will Be Exclusive to Xbox for Three Months

Internal Microsoft documents revealed the terms for certain exclusive Xbox games like STALKER 2, which will be exclusive to Xbox for three months. As part of the internal Xbox documents acquired by The Verge, Microsoft shared a snapshot of newly signed ID@Xbox games including terms of their exclusivity. In these documents, Xbox confirmed that the upcoming STALKER 2 will be an Xbox console exclusive for three months when it is released in Q4 2021. The Gunk will be a permanent Xbox exclusive when it is released in Q3 2021. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-xbox-series-x-games&captions=true"] The other game included in the snapshot was Tetris Effect Connected, an enhanced version of Tetris Effect. The Connected features are exclusive to Xbox for six months. While limited console exclusivity is typical in many cases, the terms of these exclusivity periods are usually not disclosed. Some games can remain a console exclusive for a year or more. Elsewhere in these documents are Microsoft's plans to cut its share of the revenue on PC games to an 88/12 split. Meaning Microsoft will take just 12 percent of the revenue on PC games starting on August 1. This is the same model as the one Epic has and is considerably less than the standard 30 percent cut taken by Steam. There are details in the document that suggested Microsoft considered lowering its revenue share on consoles as well, but the company has since confirmed there will be no change to the revenue share model for systems like the Xbox Series X. Instead, it will remain 30 percent, just like on other systems like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation. Microsoft VP of Xbox business development Lori Wright has been called by both Epic and Apple as a third-party witness in the court case between the two companies. Check out our rundown of the first day of the Epic vs. Apple case which we'll update as the case continues through the coming days and weeks. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor.

STALKER 2 Will Be Exclusive to Xbox for Three Months

Internal Microsoft documents revealed the terms for certain exclusive Xbox games like STALKER 2, which will be exclusive to Xbox for three months. As part of the internal Xbox documents acquired by The Verge, Microsoft shared a snapshot of newly signed ID@Xbox games including terms of their exclusivity. In these documents, Xbox confirmed that the upcoming STALKER 2 will be an Xbox console exclusive for three months when it is released in Q4 2021. The Gunk will be a permanent Xbox exclusive when it is released in Q3 2021. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-xbox-series-x-games&captions=true"] The other game included in the snapshot was Tetris Effect Connected, an enhanced version of Tetris Effect. The Connected features are exclusive to Xbox for six months. While limited console exclusivity is typical in many cases, the terms of these exclusivity periods are usually not disclosed. Some games can remain a console exclusive for a year or more. Elsewhere in these documents are Microsoft's plans to cut its share of the revenue on PC games to an 88/12 split. Meaning Microsoft will take just 12 percent of the revenue on PC games starting on August 1. This is the same model as the one Epic has and is considerably less than the standard 30 percent cut taken by Steam. There are details in the document that suggested Microsoft considered lowering its revenue share on consoles as well, but the company has since confirmed there will be no change to the revenue share model for systems like the Xbox Series X. Instead, it will remain 30 percent, just like on other systems like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation. Microsoft VP of Xbox business development Lori Wright has been called by both Epic and Apple as a third-party witness in the court case between the two companies. Check out our rundown of the first day of the Epic vs. Apple case which we'll update as the case continues through the coming days and weeks. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor.