Monthly Archives: July 2015
New Batman v Superman Image Revealed
A new image of the titular heroes in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has been released.
Both Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman grace the cover of the new issue of Empire.
Image Credit: Empire
The cover feature in the magazine takes a deeper look at director Zack Snyder, the stars, and the development of the blockbuster film.
NASA’s New Horizons Reveals Flowing Ices on Pluto
The latest discovery of NASA’s New Horizons mission reveals that Pluto is host to flowing ice that have similarities to glaciers on active worlds such as Earth and Mars.
“We knew that a mission to Pluto would bring some surprises, and now — 10 days after closest approach — we can say that our expectation has been more than surpassed,” said NASA’s associate administrator John Grunsfeld in a prepared statement. “With flowing ices, exotic surface chemistry, mountain ranges, and vast haze, Pluto is showing a diversity of planetary geology that is truly thrilling."
Images captured with New Horizons' Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) revealed signs of recent geologic activity on Texas-sized plain Sputnik Planum. Located on the western half of the Pluto's heart-shaped feature, an ice sheet appears to have flowed similar to glaciers on Earth and may still be actively flowing.
Why Star Wars Battlefront Won’t be Battlefield in Space
Battlefield Hardline may have cruelly been criticised as a title that felt like cops and robbers-themed DLC for Battlefield 4 by certain segments of the fan base, but no-one should expect Star Wars Battlefront to play like Battlefield in space. Despite the shared developer (DICE), team-based multiplayer classification, as well as the combination of infantry and all manner of militarised vehicles, the two IPs are light-years apart in terms of all of the little nuances that define their respective gameplay loops.
Read on for a breakdown of the biggest differences between the two DICE IPs.
But first, a history lesson. Before there was Battlefield, there was a game called Codename Eagle. This World War I-themed first-person shooter was built by a Stockholm-based developer called Refraction Games, and mixed on-foot shootouts with vehicular warfare. Refraction Games merged with another Stockholm-based developer called Digital Illusions CE (that’s DICE for everyone keeping track) and, together, they built Battlefield 1942 for the PC.
Expand: An Indie Hit in the Making
Expand is not a game you’re likely to confuse with any other. Its presentation is abstract and striking, with the player controlling a pink square in a circular, (mostly) black and white play area. Paths curl around the central point, like thick grooves on a record, combining with spokes of white to create a maze through the blackness. As you move, the spaces grow, contract and rotate; a dance of smooth motion that gently guides your pink square along a path or sets up a puzzle vignette to overcome. It’s an ever-changing journey through a fixed space, anchored by an emotive score that uses piano, strings and cello to set the perfect mood for the gameplay… and the story.
Well, the story elements, more accurately. Short phrases pop up as you progress that are part existential musing, part instruction. “You’re never safe,” the game tells you as it introduces red borders to some of its enclosed spaces. “You’re never free,” it declares as it forces you through a perilous path, followed by: “There’s opportunity,” as grooves interlock to open up a way forward.
Xbox Live Services Are Limited
UPDATE 7/26/2015 4:15 p.m. PT: It appears the problems with services have flip-flopped.
The Xbox Live status page now lists Purchase and Content Usage and Social and Gaming as having limited services.
According to the website, Xbox Live Core Services, Website, and TV, Music, and Video services are "up and running."
Unfortunately for IGN App users on Xbox 360, that service is also experiencing limited functionality.
Xbox Live appears to be experiencing issues, as users are reporting problems accessing certain services and logging in.
High Quality Nintendo-Themed Toys Unveiled
At Summers Wonder Festival in Chiba, Japan, Good Smile Company showcased a plethora of new Nendoroids based on Nintendo franchises and franchises associated with Nintendo consoles.
Pokémon's N and Reshiram, Fire Emblem's Marth and Caeda, a sword-wielding Kirby, Young Link from Majora's Mask, and Mega Man were among many Nendoriods on display at the event.
Nendoroids are famous for their changeable parts, cute design, and high quality, which is clearly shown in the unveiling of these new Nintendo figures. Even the items have impressive detail, such as Marth's Falchion and Shield of Seals or Link's Kokiri Sword and Hero's Shield.
Key & Peele Ending With Current Season
All good things must come to an end, and so must Key & Peele.
The Wrap reports the fifth season of the Comedy Central sketch show, starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, will be its final season.
Co-creator Keegan-Michael Key confirmed the news, stating it was the actors’ decision, not the network.
“This is our final season – and it’s not because of Comedy Central, it’s us,” Key said. “It was just time for us to explore other things, together and apart.”
Former Doctor Who Star: Time Lord Can’t Be Female
It's been a point of contention between fans (especially female fans) and the series' creative forces, and now former Doctor Who star Sylvester McCoy has waded into the fray and declared that the character of the Doctor can only be male.
In an interview with The Mirror, McCoy, who played the seventh incarnation of the Doctor, said, “I’m a feminist and recognise there are still glass ceilings in place for many women, but where would we draw the line? A Mr Marple instead of Miss Marple? A Tarzanette?”
Sylvester McCoy as the seventh Doctor.
Tyrese: ‘I Would Be the Best Green Lantern’
Tyrese Gibson and his fans might be getting their wish to see him in the role of a Green Lantern.
In an interview with Collider, Tyrese confirms he’s met with Warner Bros. a couple of times regarding the recently renamed Green Lantern Corps movie and that he would be “the best Green Lantern.”
“I’ve already had a couple of meetings at Warner Bros., so we’ll see what happens,” the star of the Transformers and Fast & Furious series said.
“I do believe that there needs to be more black superheroes out there, but that’s not even my motivation.”
Top 10 Adam Sandler Movies
With his new movie Murder Mystery, co-starring Jennifer Aniston, debuting on Netflix on June 14, we are going to take stock of the films of Adam Sandler and weed out his very best ones.
In our previous 2015 incarnation of this list, we included his animated film Hotel Transylvania at No. 10, but with this update we’ve opted to just hone in on Sandler’s live-action films and not his voice roles.
Scroll through the slideshow or read the list below for our picks for the Top 10 Adam Sandler movies.
And be sure to let us know in the comments what you thought of our rankings and what your favorite Adam Sandler movies are.
10. Big Daddy
