Military Combat Simulator Dev Asks People Not to Use Game to Create Fake Ukraine War Footage

Editor's Note: The war in Ukraine is an ongoing, painful and emotive topic. IGN urges community members to be respectful when engaging in conversation around this subject and does not endorse harassment of any kind.

Eagle Dynamics, the developer behind military combat simulator DCS World, has asked people not to present gameplay as footage from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Last week, we reported on footage from video games being falsely presented as footage from Ukraine. One game involved was DCS World, a highly realistic, free-to-play military combat simulator, which replicates (among other things) real-life fighter jets and regions of the world – including portions of Russia and the Crimea.

In a notable example, footage from DCS: World was spreading across social media, purporting to show a Ukrainian fighter pilot shooting down a Russian plane, before fans of the game noted the truth behind the clip. Twitter has since added contextual info to posts inluding the clip.

Clips such as the above have now caused DCS World developer Eagle Dynamics to issue a statement on the DCS World Discord and Eagle Dynamics Twitter account, acknowledging the harm caused by misinformation, and begging readers "to be sensible and avoid using DCS to create videos of this nature."

The developer also thanked fans for flagging misinformation involving DCS World, saying, "Fake news of this nature is too serious to be left alone and needs to be called out by those of you who know what to look for."

You can read the full statement below:

Alongside Eagle Dynamics, Arma 3 developer Bohemia Interactive has also acknowledged that footage from its military game has been used as misinformation, and said it was helping media to fact-check videos:

The invasion of Ukraine has garnered widespread calls for support and aid from the games industry, both inside and outside of Ukraine itself.

A number of humanitarian aid organizations are currently accepting donations and support for their efforts to help Ukrainians impacted by the war. They include:

  • Save the Children: On the ground right now providing humanitarian aid to children.
  • UNICEF: Providing emergency supplies and safe water to communities, as well as care for children on the ground and who have been separated from families.
  • Project HOPE: Sending medical supplies and providing health care for refugees.

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.

‘Missions & Rewards’ Added to Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo has released a "Missions & Rewards" update for Switch Online that allows players to earn Platinum Points by playing games and more, similar to Xbox's Game Pass Quests system.

The incentive is only available to users with Switch Online memberships and provides tasks such as "play software that supports online play", "back up save data", "play NES", and more.

Users will earn Platinum Points - the same currency used for years on the My Nintendo Store - that allow users to buy certain physical items such as Nintendo themed keychains and posters.

A range of new Switch Online-exclusive icons and backgrounds have been released in the update that are only available through the Platinum Points system, and these will be updated weekly. There will also be timed events with special icons available.

These digital items are fairly easy to come by. Playing one online game a week will net you 30 Platinum Points, and the new icons shown so far only cost 10 points each.

Saving up for the physical rewards will take a little longer, though they're still within reach – a Pokémon Legends: Arceus Cable Holder costs 400 points, for example. By playing an online game, backing up save data, playing the NES software, and playing a Game Trials software, users can earn 200 points per week.

The Missions & Rewards page can be accessed through the console's Nintendo Switch Online app, and users can redeem their points for digital items in the same place or physical items on the My Nintendo Store.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer who occasionally remembers to tweet @thelastdinsdale.

New to Disney+ in March 2022: Moon Knight, Turning Red, and More

The long-awaited arrival of Marvel's Moon Knight leads the way for March 2022's Disney+ additions. In this new MCU series, Oscar Isaac's Steven Grant becomes victim to blackouts and memories of other lives and he discovers he has "dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector."

March will also see Disney and Pixar's Turning Red join the service and tell the story of a 13-year-old who just so happens to "poof" into a giant red panda when she gets too excited. On the movie front, Steven Spielberg's West Side Story will become available to all Disney+ subscribers alongside a new take on Cheaper by the Dozen.

There will also be new episodes of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, a new treat for kids of all ages in The Wonderful Spring of Mickey Mouse, a look into the life and career of Olivia Rodrigo in OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u, and much more.

Check out the slideshow gallery below for a spotlight of some of the most notable March 2022 Disney+ releases, followed by the full list:

Wednesday, March 2

  • Brain Games: On The Road (S1)
  • Broken Karaoke (S1, 5 episodes)
  • Mickey Mouse Funhouse (S1, 4 episodes)
  • West Side Story
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - Episode 3 "It All Started with an Orange Basketball"

Friday, March 4

  • Russia's Wild Tiger

Wednesday, March 9

  • Weekend Family (S1)
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - Episode 4 "Father Figures"

Friday, March 11

  • Turning Red
  • Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red

Wednesday, March 16

  • Big City Greens (S3, 5 episodes)
  • Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug & Cat Noir (S4, 6 episodes)
  • Muppet Babies (S3, 2 episodes)
  • Spidey And His Amazing Friends (S1, 5 episodes)
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - Episode 5 "Snackland"

Friday, March 18

  • Step
  • Cheaper by the Dozen
  • More Than Robots

Wednesday, March 23

  • Doc McStuffins (Shorts) (S1)
  • The Doc Files (S1)
  • Parallels
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - Episode 6 "Get In"

Friday, March 25

  • OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u
  • The Wonderful Spring of Mickey Mouse

Wednesday, March 30

  • I Cavalieri Di Castelcorvo (S1)
  • Moon Knight - Episode 1
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - Episode 7 "When You Wish Upon a Roker"

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

New to Disney+ in March 2022: Moon Knight, Turning Red, and More

The long-awaited arrival of Marvel's Moon Knight leads the way for March 2022's Disney+ additions. In this new MCU series, Oscar Isaac's Steven Grant becomes victim to blackouts and memories of other lives and he discovers he has "dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector."

March will also see Disney and Pixar's Turning Red join the service and tell the story of a 13-year-old who just so happens to "poof" into a giant red panda when she gets too excited. On the movie front, Steven Spielberg's West Side Story will become available to all Disney+ subscribers alongside a new take on Cheaper by the Dozen.

There will also be new episodes of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, a new treat for kids of all ages in The Wonderful Spring of Mickey Mouse, a look into the life and career of Olivia Rodrigo in OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u, and much more.

Check out the slideshow gallery below for a spotlight of some of the most notable March 2022 Disney+ releases, followed by the full list:

Wednesday, March 2

  • Brain Games: On The Road (S1)
  • Broken Karaoke (S1, 5 episodes)
  • Mickey Mouse Funhouse (S1, 4 episodes)
  • West Side Story
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - Episode 3 "It All Started with an Orange Basketball"

Friday, March 4

  • Russia's Wild Tiger

Wednesday, March 9

  • Weekend Family (S1)
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - Episode 4 "Father Figures"

Friday, March 11

  • Turning Red
  • Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red

Wednesday, March 16

  • Big City Greens (S3, 5 episodes)
  • Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug & Cat Noir (S4, 6 episodes)
  • Muppet Babies (S3, 2 episodes)
  • Spidey And His Amazing Friends (S1, 5 episodes)
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - Episode 5 "Snackland"

Friday, March 18

  • Step
  • Cheaper by the Dozen
  • More Than Robots

Wednesday, March 23

  • Doc McStuffins (Shorts) (S1)
  • The Doc Files (S1)
  • Parallels
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - Episode 6 "Get In"

Friday, March 25

  • OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u
  • The Wonderful Spring of Mickey Mouse

Wednesday, March 30

  • I Cavalieri Di Castelcorvo (S1)
  • Moon Knight - Episode 1
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder - Episode 7 "When You Wish Upon a Roker"

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

Peacock Is Hiding a Famous Office Easter Egg

Every service you use has a lengthy user agreement, but who actually takes the time to read it? Well, NBC's Peacock user agreement has a fun easter egg from The Office hidden inside for anyone that scrolls through the whole thing.

As posted by TikTok user @mckenziefloyd and reported by People, a couple was scrolling through the streaming service's terms of service when they came across a recipe for Kevin Malone's chili from The Office.

"I'm trying to figure out why the chili from The Office, the recipe is on here in the terms of conditions with the instructions," Floyd said in the TikTok post. "Why was that necessary to put on here? And then it just goes back to the regular terms and conditions."

If you watch the TikTok video, you can see the terms and conditions take a quick break to share Kevin's family recipe, from the ingredients to the steps to prepare it. If you're curious, here is the full recipe pulled from Peacock's website:

Ingredients

  • 4 dried ancho chiles
  • 2 Tbs neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or grapeseed)
  • 3 lbs ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 lean)
  • 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 large jalapeño, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbs dried oregano
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 Tbs tomato paste
  • 2 12 oz. bottles of beer (lager or pale ale)
  • 3 cans Pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups beef stock
  • 2 ½ cups chopped ripe tomatoes
  • 2 Tbs kosher salt
  • Chopped scallions, shredded Jack cheese, and sour cream for topping

Directions

  • Tear ancho chiles into pieces, discarding seeds and stems. In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, toast chiles over medium-high, stirring occasionally until very fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer toasted ancho chiles to a food processor or spice mill and process until very finely ground. Set aside.
  • Add oil to pot and heat over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally to break beef into small pieces, until well browned (about 6 minutes). Using a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a plate and set aside.
  • Add onion to the pot and cook briefly over medium-high until barely softened, about 2 minutes. The secret is to undercook the onions.
  • Using a garlic press, press garlic directly into the pot, 1 clove at a time. Then stir in jalapeños, oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, and tomato paste. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add beer and continue to cook, stirring and scraping the pan, about 7 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, put beans in a large bowl and mash briefly with a potato masher until broken up but not fully mashed.
  • Add mashed beans, stock, tomatoes, salt, and cooked beef to pot. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low to maintain simmer and cook 2 hours so everything gets to know each other in the pot. Remove from heat, uncover and let stand at least 1 hour (can also be refrigerated 8 hours or overnight).
  • Reheat gently, taste and add more salt if necessary, and serve with your favorite toppings. We recommend chopped scallions, shredded Jack cheese, and sour cream.

Kevin's chili appears in season 5, episode 26's cold open when the character gives a confessional all about his yearly tradition of bringing a pot of his famous chili to the office. Kevin says, "It's a recipe passed down by Malones for generations. It's probably the thing I do best." The cold open ends with Kevin dropping the pot, spilling chili all over the floor of the office.

For more on The Office, check out a recently released never-before-seen cold open. Or, read about the one scene in The Office John Krasinski refused to shoot.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Peacock Is Hiding a Famous Office Easter Egg

Every service you use has a lengthy user agreement, but who actually takes the time to read it? Well, NBC's Peacock user agreement has a fun easter egg from The Office hidden inside for anyone that scrolls through the whole thing.

As posted by TikTok user @mckenziefloyd and reported by People, a couple was scrolling through the streaming service's terms of service when they came across a recipe for Kevin Malone's chili from The Office.

"I'm trying to figure out why the chili from The Office, the recipe is on here in the terms of conditions with the instructions," Floyd said in the TikTok post. "Why was that necessary to put on here? And then it just goes back to the regular terms and conditions."

If you watch the TikTok video, you can see the terms and conditions take a quick break to share Kevin's family recipe, from the ingredients to the steps to prepare it. If you're curious, here is the full recipe pulled from Peacock's website:

Ingredients

  • 4 dried ancho chiles
  • 2 Tbs neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or grapeseed)
  • 3 lbs ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 lean)
  • 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 large jalapeño, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbs dried oregano
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 Tbs tomato paste
  • 2 12 oz. bottles of beer (lager or pale ale)
  • 3 cans Pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups beef stock
  • 2 ½ cups chopped ripe tomatoes
  • 2 Tbs kosher salt
  • Chopped scallions, shredded Jack cheese, and sour cream for topping

Directions

  • Tear ancho chiles into pieces, discarding seeds and stems. In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, toast chiles over medium-high, stirring occasionally until very fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer toasted ancho chiles to a food processor or spice mill and process until very finely ground. Set aside.
  • Add oil to pot and heat over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally to break beef into small pieces, until well browned (about 6 minutes). Using a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a plate and set aside.
  • Add onion to the pot and cook briefly over medium-high until barely softened, about 2 minutes. The secret is to undercook the onions.
  • Using a garlic press, press garlic directly into the pot, 1 clove at a time. Then stir in jalapeños, oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, and tomato paste. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add beer and continue to cook, stirring and scraping the pan, about 7 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, put beans in a large bowl and mash briefly with a potato masher until broken up but not fully mashed.
  • Add mashed beans, stock, tomatoes, salt, and cooked beef to pot. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low to maintain simmer and cook 2 hours so everything gets to know each other in the pot. Remove from heat, uncover and let stand at least 1 hour (can also be refrigerated 8 hours or overnight).
  • Reheat gently, taste and add more salt if necessary, and serve with your favorite toppings. We recommend chopped scallions, shredded Jack cheese, and sour cream.

Kevin's chili appears in season 5, episode 26's cold open when the character gives a confessional all about his yearly tradition of bringing a pot of his famous chili to the office. Kevin says, "It's a recipe passed down by Malones for generations. It's probably the thing I do best." The cold open ends with Kevin dropping the pot, spilling chili all over the floor of the office.

For more on The Office, check out a recently released never-before-seen cold open. Or, read about the one scene in The Office John Krasinski refused to shoot.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Elden Ring’s Game of Thrones Easter Egg Can Be Found Surprisingly Early

When Elden Ring was announced the developers announced it was a creative collaboration between Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.

While Elden Ring is much closer to previous From Software RPGs than Martin's Game of Thrones, there is still a nice easter egg reference to Martin's famous series-turned-HBO mega-hit.

Spoilers for Elden Ring boss and weapon below.

George R.R. Martin wrote the lore for Elden Ring which served as the foundation for the game's story. While Elden Ring has no ties to Martin’s other works, the team at From Software did throw in a nice reference to Martin’s most famous work in the form of a weapon called the Grafted Blade Greatsword.

This Greatsword is several smaller swords grafted together, and looking at the design it is a clear nod to the famed Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. Like the sword, the throne is made from different swords welded together.

Even better, the sword is available early on in the game, though wielding it is another matter. The weapon requires players to have 40 Strength to use effectively.

To acquire the sword players will need to travel to the Weeping Peninsula. One great thing about Elden Ring is how accessible it is early on. There are huge parts of the map that players can travel to almost immediately, including the Weeping Peninsula.

There, players will come across Castle Morne. After fighting their way towards the back of the castle, players can fight a boss called Leonine Misbegotten and the reward for defeating him will be the Grafted Blade Greatsword.

If you need help getting there and past the boss, IGN has a full Elden Ring guide including a section about the Weeping Peninsula. You can also check out our important starter tips.

Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.

Elden Ring’s Game of Thrones Easter Egg Can Be Found Surprisingly Early

When Elden Ring was announced the developers announced it was a creative collaboration between Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.

While Elden Ring is much closer to previous From Software RPGs than Martin's Game of Thrones, there is still a nice easter egg reference to Martin's famous series-turned-HBO mega-hit.

Spoilers for Elden Ring boss and weapon below.

George R.R. Martin wrote the lore for Elden Ring which served as the foundation for the game's story. While Elden Ring has no ties to Martin’s other works, the team at From Software did throw in a nice reference to Martin’s most famous work in the form of a weapon called the Grafted Blade Greatsword.

This Greatsword is several smaller swords grafted together, and looking at the design it is a clear nod to the famed Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. Like the sword, the throne is made from different swords welded together.

Even better, the sword is available early on in the game, though wielding it is another matter. The weapon requires players to have 40 Strength to use effectively.

To acquire the sword players will need to travel to the Weeping Peninsula. One great thing about Elden Ring is how accessible it is early on. There are huge parts of the map that players can travel to almost immediately, including the Weeping Peninsula.

There, players will come across Castle Morne. After fighting their way towards the back of the castle, players can fight a boss called Leonine Misbegotten and the reward for defeating him will be the Grafted Blade Greatsword.

If you need help getting there and past the boss, IGN has a full Elden Ring guide including a section about the Weeping Peninsula. You can also check out our important starter tips.

Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.

Why Genshin Impact Dev MiHoYo Is Investing In Fusion Energy

MiHoYo is best-known as the studio behind the absurdly successful Genshin Impact, the free-to-play open world RPG that generates billions of dollars each year. But MiHoYo also has another goal: Science.

As reported by Pandaily, MiHoYo is a major investor in Energy Singularity, a startup dedicated to exploring commercialized fusion technology. Founded by a body of experts from the world's top universities, the company was able to raise $63 million in its first round of funding. Other investors include NIO Capital, Sequoia China’s Seed Fund, and BlueRun Ventures.

Energy Singularity is working on a tokamak reactor — a device that uses powerful magnets to confine plasma particles in order to achieve fusion. Tokamak reactors have existed for decades, but recent advancements in fusion technology have sparked hopes that a commercial reactor will soon be viable.

Commercial fusion would have profound implications for the world's energy consumption, harnessing the power of the sun to provide what is effectively limitless clean energy. As we speak, a giant reactor called the ITER, or International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is under construction in France, with the goal being to achieve the state of burning plasma that is crucial to sustained fusion.

To give you an idea of the power of these reactors, ITER's Central Solenoid — the strongest of its magnets — can actually lift an American aircraft carrier out of the ocean.

"Tech Otakus Save the World"

So why is MiHoYo suddenly so interested in fusion energy? It's baked into the company's motto: "Tech Otakus Save the World." This ethos has driven investment in projects such as brain-computer interfaces as well as a major interest in the Metaverse.

MiHoYo's interest in science should be no surprise given its roots. It was founded by Cai Haoyu, Liu Wei, and Luo Yuhao, who met as engineering postgraduates at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and started the studio out of a mutual love for anime. With seemingly little interest in making additional money — MiHoYo recently rejected a sizable investment from Tencent — the studio has directed its profits elsewhere.

In the meantime, MiHoYo continues to enjoy great success with Genshin Impact. Earlier this month, Genshin Impact released version 2.5, featuring a new playable character in Yae Miko. We also nominated it as one of the best ongoing games of 2021.

For more science info, check out this story about an artificial fish made of human heart cells, as well as NASA's plans for the International Space Station following its retirement in 2030.

Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN

Why Genshin Impact Dev MiHoYo Is Investing In Fusion Energy

MiHoYo is best-known as the studio behind the absurdly successful Genshin Impact, the free-to-play open world RPG that generates billions of dollars each year. But MiHoYo also has another goal: Science.

As reported by Pandaily, MiHoYo is a major investor in Energy Singularity, a startup dedicated to exploring commercialized fusion technology. Founded by a body of experts from the world's top universities, the company was able to raise $63 million in its first round of funding. Other investors include NIO Capital, Sequoia China’s Seed Fund, and BlueRun Ventures.

Energy Singularity is working on a tokamak reactor — a device that uses powerful magnets to confine plasma particles in order to achieve fusion. Tokamak reactors have existed for decades, but recent advancements in fusion technology have sparked hopes that a commercial reactor will soon be viable.

Commercial fusion would have profound implications for the world's energy consumption, harnessing the power of the sun to provide what is effectively limitless clean energy. As we speak, a giant reactor called the ITER, or International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is under construction in France, with the goal being to achieve the state of burning plasma that is crucial to sustained fusion.

To give you an idea of the power of these reactors, ITER's Central Solenoid — the strongest of its magnets — can actually lift an American aircraft carrier out of the ocean.

"Tech Otakus Save the World"

So why is MiHoYo suddenly so interested in fusion energy? It's baked into the company's motto: "Tech Otakus Save the World." This ethos has driven investment in projects such as brain-computer interfaces as well as a major interest in the Metaverse.

MiHoYo's interest in science should be no surprise given its roots. It was founded by Cai Haoyu, Liu Wei, and Luo Yuhao, who met as engineering postgraduates at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and started the studio out of a mutual love for anime. With seemingly little interest in making additional money — MiHoYo recently rejected a sizable investment from Tencent — the studio has directed its profits elsewhere.

In the meantime, MiHoYo continues to enjoy great success with Genshin Impact. Earlier this month, Genshin Impact released version 2.5, featuring a new playable character in Yae Miko. We also nominated it as one of the best ongoing games of 2021.

For more science info, check out this story about an artificial fish made of human heart cells, as well as NASA's plans for the International Space Station following its retirement in 2030.

Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN