Monthly Archives: July 2015
Game of Thrones’ Ten Best Episodes
Spoilers for Game of Thrones: Seasons 1-6 follow.
With Season 7 almost here, we're taking another look at the very best Game of Thrones episodes so far.
The series isn't over, of course, so this list will no doubt continue to change as we see the final two seasons play out, but as of right now here are the very best chapters from HBO's adaptation of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series. Filled with maulings, meltings, charrings, beheadings and weddings.
So sit back and get ready to disagree in all caps because dark lists bring dark words.
Here are the ten best episodes of Game of Thrones...
After four seasons, Game of Thrones finally gave us a wedding reception we could rejoice over. King Joffrey - a complete pain in the ass until the very end - choked to death while engaging in one of his favorite pastimes: Tormenting Tyrion. The young, dim brute died in agony, clutching his throat. George R. R. Martin couldn't have planned it better. Well, he did in more ways than one, we suppose, since he wrote the episode. Yes, the author who'd robbed us of so many heroes finally wiped one of the show's most foul villains off the map. And it was glorious.
How America’s Privacy Is Threatened by New Technology
Orwell's 1984 surveillance state has arrived. By scanning identifying characteristics of your body, a computer can figure out who you are, where you've been, and very often what you're doing. Coupled with the ubiquitous presence of cameras, your identity is becoming a commodity to be captured, held, bought, and sold without your permission. And unfortunately, most everyone’s response to these circumstances has been acquiescence. Acceptance of universal surveillance is now the default setting for our expectations on privacy, and that’s a very bad thing.
Facebook recently revealed that their newest recognition technology is pretty good at figuring out who you are even if it can't see your face. Retailers are tracking your shopping habits through your cell phone when you step through the door. And last month, nine privacy and civil liberties advocacy groups withdrew from a series of federally-mediated discussions on facial recognition after coming to the conclusion that participating companies were unwilling to voluntarily concede even a bare minimum of privacy control.
Inafune Teases Red Ash, a Mega Man Legends Spiritual Successor
It appears Keiji Inafune isn't quite done with his Mega Man spiritual successors.
Today, developer Comcept released a teaser trailer for something called Red Ash: The Indelible Legend. It very heavily suggests it is the long-awaited Mega Man Legends-like game fans have been asking about for years.
"Some legends shape our lives," the trailer starts. "Some legends leave us with the promise of a new tomorrow, and some legends herald greatness, only to lose their way..."
Expect to learn more this Saturday, July 4 when news is announced at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles.
Inafune and the rest of the Comcept team are currently working on Mighty No. 9, another Mega Man-like game that was funded via Kickstarter backing. Mighty No. 9 is scheduled to release on September 15 in North America and September 18 in Europe. It will be available physically and digitally for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Wii U, and digital only for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.
How to Watch San Diego Comic-Con 2015
San Diego Comic-Con is going to be huge for comics, movies, television, and games this year. The event runs from July 9-12, and we've got a lot in store for you -- including coverage of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the future of DC Comics, The Walking Dead, and a lot more.
At SDCC 2015, IGN is running an all day live show with exciting interviews, demos, and more. We'll also be moderating panels, hosting signings, and geeking out about everything on display at SDCC. Check out the full schedule on IGN's SDCC Hub. We'll be updating it soon, so be sure to check back!
Plants vs. Zombies Gets Garden Warfare Comic
Dark Horse Comics announced Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare today, to bridge the gap between the two games of the same name.
In the first Garden Warfare, Dr. Zomboss was attacking Suburbia. Garden Warfare 2 has the plants going on the offensive to reclaim their home, and the comic series will explain how Zomboss took control of Suburbia.
The comic will be written by Paul Tobin of the previous PvZ comics Lawnmageddon and Timepocalypse, with art from Jacob Chabot. It will start on October 28. Garden Warfare 2 is set to release in 2016.
Steve Watts is a freelance writer who you can call Crazy Steve. You can read more of his keen insights by following him on Twitter and IGN.
Funko Reveals New Glow-in-the-Dark Fallout Pop! Figure
An all-new version of Fallout's iconic Valut Boy figure has been announced, and it glows like a nice bottle of Nuka-Cola Quantum.
This green glow-in-the-dark Pop! Vinyl will be available soon domestically, and Popvinyl.net reports rumors of it being a possible Hot Topic exclusive.
Along with this, Fallout fans will soon be able to pick up a number of different wasteland-themed vinyls, including Ghouls, Deathclaws, Super Mutants, and Wanderers. And all this just in time to celebrate the upcoming release of Fallout 4.
5 Movies We’re Excited for at Comic-Con 2015
San Diego Comic-Con is upon us! Yes, it’s that time of year again when thousands upon thousands of super-fans head down to San Diego to overtake the city in the hope of getting a glimpse of some of the biggest upcoming movies (and TV shows and comics and games…). IGN will of course be there in full force, ready to take in -- and relay to you -- everything the studios unveil.
Interestingly, Sony, Paramount and Marvel Studios are all skipping big presentations this year, but there’s still plenty to look forward to on the movies front. Here are the five movies/movie panels we are most excited for at this year’s show!
Saturday, July 11, 10:30am - 12:00pm, Hall H: Warner Bros. will start Saturday off with a bang as the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice team takes the stage in the giant Hall H at 10:30am. After bringing the house down last year, director Zack Snyder and stars Ben Affleck (Batman), Henry Cavill (Superman) and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) return alongside co-stars Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor), Jeremy Irons (Alfred) and Holly Hunter (who’s she playing? Maybe we’ll find out on Saturday!). Of course, with Marvel Studios not presenting a movie panel this year, Comic-Con 2015 is the DC Cinematic Universe’s to lose. Rumors abound that Suicide Squad and perhaps even announcements regarding the Justice League movie will also be going down on Saturday morning in Hall H.
Production on Nintendo’s NX Console May Begin This Year
Things may be heating up more quickly for the codenamed Nintendo NX console than previously thought.
Digitimes reports Nintendo has been visiting their supply chain partners recently and has ordered pilot production on the new system from Foxconn Electronics. This initial manufacturing is likely to begin in October at the latest.
Additionally, mass production on the system is rumored to begin sometime in May or June 2016, with a possible launch in July 2016. They're expected to talk more about the system sometime next year, and several other companies are likely to join in on production.
Mortal Kombat X’s Predator Gets Release Date
You'll be able to play as Predator in Mortal Kombat X as early as July 7th if you've purchased the Kombat Pack DLC pass, or you can buy the character separately on July 14th.
NetherRealm revealed the dates on Twitter today with the caption, "Soon the hunt will begin..."
Predator will be the third downloadable character for Mortal Kombat X.
Nintendo to Support Wii U, 3DS Following NX Launch
While Nintendo is gearing up to launch a new gaming platform in the near future, it isn't going to abandon 3DS and Wii U owners as soon as the mysterious NX is released.
"Regarding your concern about what will happen to Wii U or what will happen to Nintendo 3DS, NX is a new platform, so the installed base will have to be built up from zero," Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata said in a recent Q&A with investors.
"When NX is launched, there already will be a certain volume of Nintendo 3DS and Wii U hardware widely existing in the market, so from a software business perspective, it would be highly inefficient to stop releasing titles for Nintendo 3DS or Wii U right after the launch of NX," Iwata continued.