Monthly Archives: December 2021
Scientists Take a Step Towards Building a Real-Life Warp Drive… By Accident
A team of physicists has reported the accidental discovery of a real-world "warp bubble" whilst observing the structure of Casimir cavities – a small step towards building a potential warp drive.
The Debrief reports that Dr. Harold G. "Sonny" White and his team stumbled upon the existence of a warp bubble whilst conducting DARPA-funded research into Casimir cavities and the energy density present in those structures. White acknowledged the significance of the fluke findings but asserted that it was only a small step forward in regards to actually building a warp drive.
"Our detailed numerical analysis of our custom Casimir cavities helped us identify a real and manufacturable nano/microstructure that is predicted to generate a negative vacuum energy density such that it would manifest a real nanoscale warp bubble, not an analog, but the real thing," White explained in a statement to the publication.
He emphasized that the findings recorded by his Limitless Space Institute (LSI) team centered around "a real, albeit humble and tiny, warp bubble" as opposed to a warp bubble analog, and confirmed that the structure "predicts negative energy density distribution that closely matches requirements for the Alcubierre metric," hence the significance of the observation.
IGN previously referred to the Alcubierre metric and the possibility of warp drives becoming a reality, as Space.com noted that "a concept for a real-life warp drive was suggested in 1994 by Mexican physicist Miguel Alcubierre; however, subsequent calculations found that such a device would require prohibitive amounts of energy."
As mentioned, this isn't the first time that scientists have considered manufacturing a warp drive or warp-capable spacecraft. A previous report suggested that Star Trek's warp drive could really happen, whilst NASA also toyed with the idea of inventing a warp drive — something that would be especially useful in its ongoing search for extra-terrestrial life.
Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
Scientists Take a Step Towards Building a Real-Life Warp Drive… By Accident
A team of physicists has reported the accidental discovery of a real-world "warp bubble" whilst observing the structure of Casimir cavities – a small step towards building a potential warp drive.
The Debrief reports that Dr. Harold G. "Sonny" White and his team stumbled upon the existence of a warp bubble whilst conducting DARPA-funded research into Casimir cavities and the energy density present in those structures. White acknowledged the significance of the fluke findings but asserted that it was only a small step forward in regards to actually building a warp drive.
"Our detailed numerical analysis of our custom Casimir cavities helped us identify a real and manufacturable nano/microstructure that is predicted to generate a negative vacuum energy density such that it would manifest a real nanoscale warp bubble, not an analog, but the real thing," White explained in a statement to the publication.
He emphasized that the findings recorded by his Limitless Space Institute (LSI) team centered around "a real, albeit humble and tiny, warp bubble" as opposed to a warp bubble analog, and confirmed that the structure "predicts negative energy density distribution that closely matches requirements for the Alcubierre metric," hence the significance of the observation.
IGN previously referred to the Alcubierre metric and the possibility of warp drives becoming a reality, as Space.com noted that "a concept for a real-life warp drive was suggested in 1994 by Mexican physicist Miguel Alcubierre; however, subsequent calculations found that such a device would require prohibitive amounts of energy."
As mentioned, this isn't the first time that scientists have considered manufacturing a warp drive or warp-capable spacecraft. A previous report suggested that Star Trek's warp drive could really happen, whilst NASA also toyed with the idea of inventing a warp drive — something that would be especially useful in its ongoing search for extra-terrestrial life.
Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
Fortnite: Cobra Kai Outfits Arrive in Time for Season 4
Just in time for the release of the series' fourth season on Netflix, The Cobra Kai Set is now available in Fortnite.
The set adds 10 new outfits, each of which can be altered to represent the dojo of your choosing: Cobra Kai, Eagle Fang, or Miyagi-Do. The five male and five female outfits are available in two separate bundles for 2,000 V-Bucks ($20 USD) each. Alternatively, individual outfits can be purchased for 800 V-Bucks ($8 USD).
Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy.
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) December 31, 2021
Rep your favorite Cobra Kai Dojo with the new Cobra Kai Set! pic.twitter.com/4YHsbpnyan
Also available in the set are a number of new accessories — Teachings of Miyagi Back Bling, Cobra Coin Back Bling, Dojo Logo Pickaxe, and Cobra’s Curse Pickaxe — as well as the Karate Kid's signature Crane Kick emote. All the new gear can be purchased as a bundle for 1,500 V-Bucks ($15 USD), while individual accessory prices range from 200-800 V-Bucks ($2-8 USD)
Cobra Kai: Season 4 hit Netflix on New Year's Eve. IGN reviewer Amelia Emberwing awarded the latest season a 7/10, calling it "an imperfect transition to Netflix production, but an admirable continuation to the series none the less."
Fortnite, meanwhile, is back online after experiencing some server issues around the holidays. It's been an eventful month for the beloved battle royale, as Fortnite Chapter 3 kicked off in early December, bringing with it the game's transition to Unreal Engine 5.
We're also in the midst of Fortnite Winterfest 2021, which includes a ton of new content, including new outfits inspired by Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN.
Fortnite: Cobra Kai Outfits Arrive in Time for Season 4
Just in time for the release of the series' fourth season on Netflix, The Cobra Kai Set is now available in Fortnite.
The set adds 10 new outfits, each of which can be altered to represent the dojo of your choosing: Cobra Kai, Eagle Fang, or Miyagi-Do. The five male and five female outfits are available in two separate bundles for 2,000 V-Bucks ($20 USD) each. Alternatively, individual outfits can be purchased for 800 V-Bucks ($8 USD).
Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy.
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) December 31, 2021
Rep your favorite Cobra Kai Dojo with the new Cobra Kai Set! pic.twitter.com/4YHsbpnyan
Also available in the set are a number of new accessories — Teachings of Miyagi Back Bling, Cobra Coin Back Bling, Dojo Logo Pickaxe, and Cobra’s Curse Pickaxe — as well as the Karate Kid's signature Crane Kick emote. All the new gear can be purchased as a bundle for 1,500 V-Bucks ($15 USD), while individual accessory prices range from 200-800 V-Bucks ($2-8 USD)
Cobra Kai: Season 4 hit Netflix on New Year's Eve. IGN reviewer Amelia Emberwing awarded the latest season a 7/10, calling it "an imperfect transition to Netflix production, but an admirable continuation to the series none the less."
Fortnite, meanwhile, is back online after experiencing some server issues around the holidays. It's been an eventful month for the beloved battle royale, as Fortnite Chapter 3 kicked off in early December, bringing with it the game's transition to Unreal Engine 5.
We're also in the midst of Fortnite Winterfest 2021, which includes a ton of new content, including new outfits inspired by Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN.
IGN UK Podcast #625: The Big 2022 Preview Show
On the eve of a new year, it's time to look ahead. Join Cardy, Alex, and Jesse as they go through all of the big games, films, and TV shows coming in 2022. There's a lot to be excited about so settle in.
Why not let us know what you're looking forward to the most? Feel free to sling us an email at ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.
IGN UK Podcast #625: The Big 2022 Preview Show
On the eve of a new year, it's time to look ahead. Join Cardy, Alex, and Jesse as they go through all of the big games, films, and TV shows coming in 2022. There's a lot to be excited about so settle in.
Why not let us know what you're looking forward to the most? Feel free to sling us an email at ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.
Masahiro Sakurai Quips About Playing It Takes Two by Himself
Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai is known for sometimes playing two characters in Smash Bros. simultaneously, against himself. He's done this multiple times before, including in a Nintendo Direct to show off Banjo and Kazooie. But while this is an admittedly goofy way to play Smash, Sakurai hinted recently that he might also play other games like this, too. Like It Takes Two, for example.
When It Takes Two won Game of the Year at The Game Awards, Sakurai posted on his Twitter, suggesting it might be possible to play It Takes Two by oneself, with two controllers. The co-op game has some pretty tricky coordinated puzzling and boss fights, but given how complex Smash can be (especially when you're, you know, the creator of the series trying to look pristine on a Nintendo Direct), it seems entirely possible Sakurai managed it.
The Game Award 2021を獲得した『It Takes Two』。
— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) December 11, 2021
ふたり専用ゲームであることが最大の障壁だけど、ひとりでできなくもない…かも? pic.twitter.com/xb2WtE8Fvn
He even included two different configurations, in a reference to his own prior comments about how he used to play with two controllers simultaneously on GameCube by stacking them vertically. Sadly, he can't do that anymore on the Switch Pro Controller without accidentally pressing L and R.
Sadly, Sakurai does not show his hand as to whether or not he actually played or intends to play It Takes Two by himself. Hopefully he can find a buddy to play it through with if not, since It Takes Two is a "spectacular co-op adventure that lays down a path of great gameplay ideas and uses it to play a giddy game of hopscotch" (or at least, we thought it was in our review).
Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.
Masahiro Sakurai Quips About Playing It Takes Two by Himself
Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai is known for sometimes playing two characters in Smash Bros. simultaneously, against himself. He's done this multiple times before, including in a Nintendo Direct to show off Banjo and Kazooie. But while this is an admittedly goofy way to play Smash, Sakurai hinted recently that he might also play other games like this, too. Like It Takes Two, for example.
When It Takes Two won Game of the Year at The Game Awards, Sakurai posted on his Twitter, suggesting it might be possible to play It Takes Two by oneself, with two controllers. The co-op game has some pretty tricky coordinated puzzling and boss fights, but given how complex Smash can be (especially when you're, you know, the creator of the series trying to look pristine on a Nintendo Direct), it seems entirely possible Sakurai managed it.
The Game Award 2021を獲得した『It Takes Two』。
— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) December 11, 2021
ふたり専用ゲームであることが最大の障壁だけど、ひとりでできなくもない…かも? pic.twitter.com/xb2WtE8Fvn
He even included two different configurations, in a reference to his own prior comments about how he used to play with two controllers simultaneously on GameCube by stacking them vertically. Sadly, he can't do that anymore on the Switch Pro Controller without accidentally pressing L and R.
Sadly, Sakurai does not show his hand as to whether or not he actually played or intends to play It Takes Two by himself. Hopefully he can find a buddy to play it through with if not, since It Takes Two is a "spectacular co-op adventure that lays down a path of great gameplay ideas and uses it to play a giddy game of hopscotch" (or at least, we thought it was in our review).
Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.
Steam Reveals Its Best-Selling and Most Played Games of 2021
Steam has released its Best of 2021 lists and, while it doesn't rank the top games in each category, they do reveal which games were the most played, sold the best, and much more.
Steam's Best of 2021 lists include Top Sellers, New Releases, Most Played, Early Access Grads, Best of VR, and Controller Friendly; and games like Valheim, New World, Halo Infinite, Battlefield 2042, PUBG, Counter-Strike and Grand Theft Auto V appear in multiple categories.
The Top Sellers category features the top 100 games as measured by gross revenue and places each one into the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tier; but it does not detail how much a game has to earn for it to qualify for a new level. The Platinum Top Sellers, in alphabetical order, are as follows;
- Apex Legends
- Battlefield 2042
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Dead by Daylight
- Destiny 2
- DOTA 2
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Naraka: Bladepoint
- New World
- PUBG: Battlegrounds
- Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
- Valheim
The New Releases category is measured the same way as the Top Sellers one, but games only qualify if they were released in 2021. Sorry, GTA V, but this is one award you can't win! The Platinum-tier New Releases, in alphabetical order, are as follows;
- Age of Empires IV
- Back 4 Blood
- Battlefield 2042
- Farming Simulator 22
- Forza Horizon 5
- Halo Infinite
- Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
- Naraka: Bladepoint
- New World
- Outriders
- Resident Evil Village
- Valheim
The Most Played category celebrates the games that reached the most "highest peak concurrent players" throughout the year. The games that reached the highest tier - Over 200,000 Peak Players - are as follows;
- Apex Legends
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Cyberpunk 2077
- DOTA 2
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Halo Infinite
- New World
- PUBG: Battlegrounds
- Rust
- Valheim
The Early Access Grads category is all about rewarding the games that left Early Access and earned the most gross revenue in 2021. The Platinum-tier Early Access Grads, in alphabetical order, are as follows;
- Breathedge
- Chernobylite
- Draw & Guess
- Endzone: A World Apart
- Hell Let Loose
- GTFO
- Medieval Dynasty
- Skul: The Hero Slayer
- Solasta: Crown of the Magister
- Subnautica: Below Zero
- Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
- Wildermyth
The Best of VR category collects the top-selling VR-exclusive experiences that earned the most gross revenue in 2021. The Platinum-tier Best of VR games, in alphabetical orders, are as follows;
- Arizona Sunshine
- Beat Saber
- Blade & Sorcery
- Boneworks
- Hal-Life: Alyx
- Hot Dogs, Horseshoes, & Hand Grenades
- Into the Radius
- Pavlov
- Superhot VR
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
- VR Kanojo
Lastly, the Controller Friendly category honors those games that had the most daily active controller players in 2021. The Platinum-tier Controller Friendly games, in alphabetical order, are as follows;
- Apex Legends
- Cyberpunk 2077
- eFootball 2022
- FIFA 21
- FIFA 22
- Forza Horizon 5
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Guilty Gear -Strive-
- Halo Infinite
- Monster Hunter: World
- Tales of Arise
- The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
To see how Steam's top games compare to IGN's choices, check out all the winners from our Game of the Year Awards 2021.
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.
Steam Reveals Its Best-Selling and Most Played Games of 2021
Steam has released its Best of 2021 lists and, while it doesn't rank the top games in each category, they do reveal which games were the most played, sold the best, and much more.
Steam's Best of 2021 lists include Top Sellers, New Releases, Most Played, Early Access Grads, Best of VR, and Controller Friendly; and games like Valheim, New World, Halo Infinite, Battlefield 2042, PUBG, Counter-Strike and Grand Theft Auto V appear in multiple categories.
The Top Sellers category features the top 100 games as measured by gross revenue and places each one into the Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tier; but it does not detail how much a game has to earn for it to qualify for a new level. The Platinum Top Sellers, in alphabetical order, are as follows;
- Apex Legends
- Battlefield 2042
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Dead by Daylight
- Destiny 2
- DOTA 2
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Naraka: Bladepoint
- New World
- PUBG: Battlegrounds
- Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
- Valheim
The New Releases category is measured the same way as the Top Sellers one, but games only qualify if they were released in 2021. Sorry, GTA V, but this is one award you can't win! The Platinum-tier New Releases, in alphabetical order, are as follows;
- Age of Empires IV
- Back 4 Blood
- Battlefield 2042
- Farming Simulator 22
- Forza Horizon 5
- Halo Infinite
- Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
- Naraka: Bladepoint
- New World
- Outriders
- Resident Evil Village
- Valheim
The Most Played category celebrates the games that reached the most "highest peak concurrent players" throughout the year. The games that reached the highest tier - Over 200,000 Peak Players - are as follows;
- Apex Legends
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Cyberpunk 2077
- DOTA 2
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Halo Infinite
- New World
- PUBG: Battlegrounds
- Rust
- Valheim
The Early Access Grads category is all about rewarding the games that left Early Access and earned the most gross revenue in 2021. The Platinum-tier Early Access Grads, in alphabetical order, are as follows;
- Breathedge
- Chernobylite
- Draw & Guess
- Endzone: A World Apart
- Hell Let Loose
- GTFO
- Medieval Dynasty
- Skul: The Hero Slayer
- Solasta: Crown of the Magister
- Subnautica: Below Zero
- Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
- Wildermyth
The Best of VR category collects the top-selling VR-exclusive experiences that earned the most gross revenue in 2021. The Platinum-tier Best of VR games, in alphabetical orders, are as follows;
- Arizona Sunshine
- Beat Saber
- Blade & Sorcery
- Boneworks
- Hal-Life: Alyx
- Hot Dogs, Horseshoes, & Hand Grenades
- Into the Radius
- Pavlov
- Superhot VR
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
- VR Kanojo
Lastly, the Controller Friendly category honors those games that had the most daily active controller players in 2021. The Platinum-tier Controller Friendly games, in alphabetical order, are as follows;
- Apex Legends
- Cyberpunk 2077
- eFootball 2022
- FIFA 21
- FIFA 22
- Forza Horizon 5
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Guilty Gear -Strive-
- Halo Infinite
- Monster Hunter: World
- Tales of Arise
- The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
To see how Steam's top games compare to IGN's choices, check out all the winners from our Game of the Year Awards 2021.
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.