Monthly Archives: September 2022

MultiVersus Gizmo Trailer Reveals Gameplay, Tiny Pink Car

Gremlins star Gizmo has made his MultiVersus debut.

Everyone’s favorite Mogwai is now live in MultiVersus, the online platform fighter from Warner Bros., and a new gameplay trailer gives us the lowdown on what to expect from the game’s cutest brawler.

Gizmo has arrived as part of MultiVersus Season 1 and features some interesting moves, as well as an appearance from his iconic pink toy sports car.

The latest update went live just yesterday, adding a number of fixes and balance changes alongside the cool new character. Update your game and you’ll find Gizmo added to the MultiVersus roster.

And he’s got some interesting attacks and abilities.

Gizmo is a support class character with a pretty unique move set, including the weird and wonderful Gizmo-A-Go-Go – a new support move that allows Gizmo to jump onto his partner’s back and absorb incoming damage. Yes, it essentially makes Gizmo a human (Mogwai) shield, but it also removes any negative status effects.

He can also use the move Corrugated Camouflage to hunker down in the toy chest from the movie Gremlins, blocking all incoming projectile damage. Neat, but don’t let your opponents get too close.

Most interestingly, Gizmo can also climb into his iconic pink toy sports car with the Beep Beep move, driving around and damaging opponents. A well-timed jump sends the car smashing into Gizmo’s opponents while you make a quick getawa, and your partner can even drive it around if it’s left unattended.

Check out the video above for an in-depth look at the rest of Gizmo’s moves.

As well as adding the beloved Gremlins character, the most recent MultiVersus update also makes plenty of balance changes.

Notably, you’ll find Bugs Bunny has been nerfed, while Garnet, LeBron James, and Harley Quinn have all been buffed. Taz has undergone some changes too, and you can find all the tweaks and changes in the game’s latest patch notes.

MultiVersus Season 1 is now well underway following the game’s impressive debut. Amassing over 10 million players since the game’s beta launch, it’s an impressive start for the ambitious fighting game.

Want to read more about MultiVersus? Check out what MultiVersus Season 1 has to offer and which other WB characters could be on their way.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Black Adam Trailer Features the Justice Society of America and the First Look at Sabbac

The final trailer for Black Adam has been released and, alongside showcasing the power of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's DC anti-hero, it also gives us a new glimpse at the Justice Society of America and our first look at the villain Sabbac.

Black Adam is set to be released in theaters on October 21, and we have been given more details as to what we can expect from the Black Adam whose arrival will, according to Johnson, mean the "power heirachy of the DC Universe is about to change."

For those unfamiliar, Sabbac was a villain introduced in the comics in Outsiders Vol. 3 8 in 2004 and was a Russian crime boss named Ishmael Gregor who was possessed by a demon. In Black Adam, he will be played by Marwan Kenzari.

As for Black Adam, this film will follow the anti-hero who was imprisoned for nearly 5,000 years after gaining the "almighty power of the gods."

"In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods," Black Adam's official description reads. "After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed and Black Adam has gone from man, to myth, to legend. Now released, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone."

For more, be sure to check out our look at the secrets from this trailer, including how the Justice Society of America predates the Justice League.

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.

Macabre Museum Announced

Startup developer Different Monster has announced Macabre Museum, a new four-player time-traveling co-op horror adventure game for PC. No release date has been given as of yet.

“We’ve been really inspired by nostalgic movies and TV shows, and that feeling you get when walking around a museum and just imagining what would happen if the mummy in the display case suddenly woke up!” Different Monster’s Creative Director said. Expect puzzle-solving plus plenty of combat with terrifying monsters as you travel from Ancient Egypt to Historic Mesoamerica and other museum-relevant time periods. Take a look at the game's first trailer above and its first screenshots in the gallery below.

IGN will have more on Macabre Museum as its development progresses. If you're interested you can wishlist the game on Steam.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.

PlayStation’s Jim Ryan Calls Xbox’s Call of Duty Promise ‘Inadequate on Many Levels’

Last week, Xbox boss Phil Spencer said new Call of Duty games will remain on PlayStation platforms for "at least several more years" after Activision's current contract with Sony expires. Now, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan is calling Spencer's offer "inadequate".

In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, Ryan said he didn't intend to comment on the business discussion until Spencer brought it into the "public forum."

"Microsoft has only offered for Call of Duty to remain on PlayStation for three years after the current agreement between Activision and Sony ends," Ryan said, "After almost 20 years of Call of Duty on PlayStation, their proposal was inadequate on many levels and failed to take account of the impact on our gamers. We want to guarantee PlayStation gamers continue to have the highest quality Call of Duty experience, and Microsoft’s proposal undermines this principle."

Spencer recently confirmed that future Call of Duty entries will join Xbox Game Pass, but launch on PlayStation on the same day. There's no timetable yet as for which upcoming Activision Blizzard games will appear on Game Pass following Xbox's $68.7 billion acquisition of the company. Earlier this year, there were reports that Activision wanted to put Call of Duty 2022 (which is now confirmed to be Modern Warfare 2), Call of Duty 2023, and Warzone 2 on PlayStation. After that, though, the future is unclear.

This year's Call of Duty, Modern Warfare 2, is set to launch on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, as usual. However, the Call of Duty series will seemingly see a shakeup after 2022, as 2023 will reportedly be the first year in nearly two decades without a new Call of Duty.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, Lifewire, and more. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant, where he's probably pleading for an F-Zero revival.

New Black Adam Poster Released Along With Plot Summary

The official Black Adam Twitter account tweeted out a brand new poster for the film and teased a new trailer for the movie to be released on Thursday, September 8.

DC sent all this information out in a press release, which also contained character posters and an official synopsis for the film.

It again confirms that Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone will be the anti-hero’s main antagonists in the film.

“In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was bestowed the almighty powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed and Black Adam has gone from man, to myth, to legend. Now released, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone,” the synopsis reads.

You can check out the character posters below:

The first trailer for the film dropped in early June, with a full reveal coming later on in July at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con 2022 — where Johnson introduced the panel by donning his iconic Black Adam suit in all its thunderous glory.

A trailer for the film also dropped then, which you can check out here.

This has long been a passion project for Johnson, who’s said to have dreamed of playing the character for years, and he was as excited to show off the film during this year’s San Diego Comic-Con 2022.

“The journey for Black Adam, it has been a long journey, fueled with passion, with commitment, with grit,” he said. “It’s been easily over 10 years. The journey has been an incredible one. I love coming to Comic-Con. To be here in Hall H, representing a DC anti-hero is a dream come true. The dream, having been in the business for years now, I’d bring movies here and hope you guys would like them but this is a dream come true.”

Black Adam is slated for release on October 21st; for our full trailer breakdown and analysis, stick to IGN!

Diego Ramos Bechara is a Freelance Writer for IGN, and he's a fan of all things Star Wars, Rockstar, Naughty Dog and Batman.

You can follow him on Twitter @DRamosBechara.

Cyberpunk 2077 Ending Development on PS4 and Xbox One, CD Projekt Red Confirms

CD Projekt Red has decided to end development of new content for the PS4 and Xbox One versions of Cyberpunk 2077, confirming in an update note that future expansions, including the recently announced Phantom Liberty, will only be released on PC, PS5, Stadia and Xbox Series X|S.

Following Patch 1.6 (the Edgerunners Update), they’ll focus their attention and resources on the new-gen versions of Cyberpunk 2077; however, they’re still committed to and will continue to provide technical support for last gen versions of the game, according to the release.

“In practice, that means after Patch 1.6 your game will continue to work on previous-gen consoles and we will continue to provide technical support to players — as we do with all our other games,” the release reads. “However, new content updates and improvements will no longer be available for previous-gen consoles, including the upcoming expansion.”

CD Projekt Red stressed that though the decision to end the development of future content was a “difficult decision,” they chose to do so because they believe that the scope of the expansion makes “releasing it for previous-gen consoles technologically challenging without compromising player experience.”

The game has been plagued with controversy since its initial launch in December of 2020, as it’s been riddled with bugs, glitches and performance issues that made the game virtually unplayable for some on last generation consoles.

Since then, CD Projekt Red has been able to mitigate these issues by releasing patches and hotfixes to improve the game’s issues — overhauling in-game systems and gameplay mechanics in their attempt to meet the vision and version of the game they’d set out to build.

It now seems they believe to have succeeded and are ready to move on to expand the game on the consoles that are built to handle it.

"We believe Cyberpunk 2077 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One is in a good place, and that now is the right time to shift our focus and start looking forward," CD Projekt's statement says.

Click here to watch our PC review of Cyberpunk 2077, and for more on Phantom Liberty, Cyberpunk 2077’s expansion, stick to IGN!

Diego Ramos Bechara is a Freelance Writer for IGN, and he's a fan of all things Star Wars, Rockstar, Naughty Dog and Batman.

You can follow him on Twitter @DRamosBechara.

The Joker’s Real Name Finally Revealed in Flashpoint Beyond

Warning: this article contains spoilers for Flashpoint Beyond #5!

The Joker remains Gotham City's greatest enigma. Who was he before becoming an insane criminal mastermind? Did he actually have a family? What is his real name? While there's a lot we may never know where Joker's origin story is concerned, one of those questions is finally answered in the pages of Flashpoint Beyond.

A sequel to 2011's Flashpoint, Flashpoint Beyond follows the Thomas Wayne of this alternate timeline as he comes to terms with the sudden return of his old reality and hunts for the elusive Clockwork Killer. That serial killer has since been revealed to be Martha Wayne, who became the Joker of the Flashpoint timeline after her son Bruce was murdered in Crime Alley.

In issue #5, Thomas confronts his estranged wife in her cell at Arkham Asylum. Martha reveals that she forced Psycho-Pirate (a villain notable for having extensive knowledge of the multiverse) to reveal everything he knew about the main DC Universe timeline, including the identity of that world's Joker. His real name is Jack Oswald White.

Martha reveals that she even paid a visit to the Flashpoint version of Jack Oswald White, discovering him to be a struggling family man supporting his wife and child through a janitorial job at Wayne Casino. But despite living in poverty, this version of Jack is happy, never undergoing the same traumatic ordeal as seen in Batman: The Killing Joke.

This isn't the first time a Batman story has revealed Joker's real name. 1989's Batman depicts him as a gangster named Jack Napier, a name that later carried over to the comics via the alternate universe of Batman: White Knight. 2019's Joker, meanwhile, casts Joaquin Phoenix as struggling comedian Arthur Fleck. But this is the first time Joker has been given a name in the core DC Comics continuity.

Of course, as Joker famously said, the past is multiple choice. There's always room for doubt and interpretation with this villain. It's also worth remembering that co-writer Geoff Johns previously introduced the plot twist that there are actually three Jokers in the DCU. While Batman: Three Jokers may or may not be part of the official DC canon, one could argue that this reveal still leaves the true identity of the other two Jokers up in the air.

Do you like the name Jack Oswald White? Is this a name DC should have kept shrouded in mystery? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

In other Batman news, the classic Hush storyline is getting a new companion story in the upcoming Batman: Hush 20th Anniversary Edition, and Gotham Knights: Gilded City is fleshing out the world of the upcoming video game.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Apple’s New iPhone 14 Series Starts at $799 and Boasts New Features

As part of its Far Out event, Apple has officially announced the latest generation of its smartphone — the iPhone 14.

As previous reports suggested, the iPhone 14 does not include a "mini" model. However, Apple's latest smartphone does include four models: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The iPhone 14 is one of many products announced as part of Apple's Far Out event. Check our roundup to see everything announced during today's event

iPhone 14 Model Pricing and Availability

Prices will begin at $799 for the iPhone 14 and $899 for iphone 14 plus. Preorders begin on September 9 for both phones. The iPhone 14 will start shipping on September 16 and the 14 Plus will start shipping on October 7.

Prices for the Pro models will begin at $999 for the iPhone 14 Pro and $1,099 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Both phones will be available for preorder on September 9 and start shipping on September 16.

Features and Specs

The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus will run on the A15 Bionic chips and the Pro and Pro Max will run on the new A16 Bionic chips. Like the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, this year's Pro variant iPhone 14 models include a refresh rate of 120Hz.

Display and Battery

All iPhone models boast all day battery, with the iPhone 14 plus offering the best battery life in any iPhone and a larger display. The biggest improvements to displays come from the iPhone Pro models which offer a Dynamic Island and an always on display. When you receive an alert, the dynamic island will expand. Each alert has unique animations for different alerts and apps.

The new display on the Pro models are also able to get brighter than ever with brightness levels that are twice as high as the iPhone 13 models.

Camera Features

The new iPhones offer a 12 megapixel main camera with a larger sensor and a faster aperature.The faster aperature offers better motion freezing. Front camera has auto focus. The new front camera can focus faster even in low light.

Deep fusion is able to combine multiple frames into a single image. The newest process of the Photonic Engine allows for enhanced imaging that is meant to improve the details and colors of low light images.

The iPhone Pro models even offer an incredible 48 megapixel camera. The new A16 chip allows for even more pixels and detail with every photo, allowing for extremely high resolution.

Emergency Features

iPhone 14 includes crash detection using a gyroscope technology. This is the same feature that we saw in the new Apple Watch Series 8. Other safety features include emergency SOS via satelite that allows you to send emergency messages.

Connectivitiy

eSim allows for you to quickly transfer plans between phones. This is meant to improve the activation process of your iPhone. The result of this new technology allows for the removal of all sim card trays on U.S. iPhone models.

AirPods Pro 2 Feature Next-Gen H2 Chip, Personalized Spatial Audio, Touch Controls, and More

The second-generation AirPods Pro has finally been announced, and it features a new H2 Chip, 2x more Active Noise Cancellation, Personalized Spatial Audio, and much more.

The AirPods Pro will be released on September 23 for $249, and pre-orders will begin on September 9.

Alongside the previously mentioned features, the new Airpods Pro will also have a new capacitive touch layer on the bottom stems that will let you change volume and more with just a swipe.

There will be a new low-distortion audio driver and a custom amplifier that will "offer richer bass and crystal-clear sound across a wider range of frequencies," but many were hoping for the inclusion of lossless audio. Unfortunately, lossless audio was not discussed at the event.

Personalized Spatial Audio will use iPhone's TrueDepth Camera to take an image of your ears and head to create a personalized profile for you that will immerse you in the music you are listening to.

Battery life will be better as well, as Apple promises 1.5 hours of additional listening time with the AirPods Pro 2, and the case will allow for 30 hours of total listening time with Active Noise cancellation - six hours more than last gen.

The noise cancellation capabilities have been improved as well, and it promises to cancel up to 2x as much... well... noise. Transparency Mode, which lets you hear the world around you with the AirPods in, is also getting an upgrage with Adaptive Transparency. This feature will let you hear what's going on around you while also blocking out harsh noise by construction and other unwanted loud noises.

While the AirPods Pro 2 look mostly the same, the charging case now has a speaker that will help you find it if it is lost, a lanyard loop to keep it attached to you, and the ability to charge the case with the Apple Watch charger of any MagSafe charger.

AirPods Pro 2 is one of many products announced as part of Apple's Far Out event. Check our roundup to see everything announced during today's event, including the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and the Apple Watch SE 2,

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

The Apple Watch Ultra Is a Rugged New Outdoor Watch Priced at $799

The rumors about the September hardware event were true; Apple has unveiled a new, higher-end wearable, the Apple Watch Ultra, which is more durable and rugged than the new Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE 2.

Aimed at athletes, hikers, and individuals that partake in "extreme sports," the latest Apple smartwatch is designed for individuals that partake in intense physical activity but don't want to damage their display. Thanks to the metal material, this Apple Watch is a significant leap in impact resistance and protection.

Apple Watch UltraPrice and Availability

All Apple Watch Ultra models will be priced at $799 and will release on September 23.

Features and Specs

One of the biggest features from the Apple Watch Ultra is the incredible 36 hours of battery life. But this rugged watch comes with a variety of different things for athletes and adventurers.

The new Wayfinder face that includes a compass and a dial. This even includes night mode for better visability in a dark environment. Redesigned compass app includes waypoints that can use GPS data to help navigate back country trips. There is even an 80 decibel siren that can go off during

For those who partake in water sports, there are some additional features worth noting. With twice the water resistance of WR100 and EN13319 which is the standard for scuba diving, the Ultra is ideal for this type of athlete. There is also a new app that is able to work as an dive computer, making the Apple Watch Pro ideal for divers.

The Apple Watch Ultra is one of many products announced as part of Apple's Far Out event. Check our roundup to see everything announced during today's event.