Monthly Archives: June 2020

Planet Coaster Coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X

Planet Coaster: Console Edition will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X during Holiday 2020. It will arrive for Xbox One and PS4 on the same day. Developer Frontier hasn't offered specifics on what the next-gen versions of the game will offer, other than to say that they are "enhanced". Check out some first screenshots below: [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=planet-coaster-next-gen-screenshots&captions=true"] [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/16/planet-coaster-console-edition-official-trailer"] We learned that Planet Coaster was coming to console at last year's XO19 event - at the time it was scheduled for a Summer 2020 release, but that's been pushed back. We awarded the PC version of Planet Coaster an 8.5/10 review, calling it "just about everything I could have asked for in a modern resurrection of the theme park sim genre - and then some." [poilib element="accentDivider"] 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.

Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox Controller Contains a Neat Easter Egg

The Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox One controller features a neat little Easter egg, with a QR code that, when scanned, sends you to a track from the upcoming game's soundtrack. As reported by UglyDucklingTaken on Reddit, scanning the code found on the back of the controller now takes you to an unlisted YouTube video of 'The Ballad of Buck Ravers' by in-game band SAMURAI (as performed by real-life band Refused). Two other SAMURAI tracks are available to listen on the Cyberpunk 2077 channel, but this was previously unreleased. You can try it for yourself using the image below: 966f1ee5-c623-4f2e-aa4c-8da05e29d7fd It seems to be a recent change - before release, the same QR code would take those who scanned it to a pre-order page for the game. However, multiple commenters on the YouTube listing began saying the QR code took them to the video around a week ago. It's not the first time CD Projekt Red has hidden references in plain sight - the game's 2018 E3 trailer included hidden messages with details about the game, and the Game Detectives Wiki lists numerous other ARG elements that have been quietly ongoing in the years since announcement. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=cyberpunk-2077-xbox-hardware-images&captions=true"] Cyberpunk 2077 will be released for PC, Xbox One and PS4 on September 17, and will come to Stadia by the end of 2020. It's all but certain to come to PS5 and Xbox Series X, after CD Projekt Red confirmed that the game would support Xbox Smart Delivery upgrades. We'll learn more about Cyberpunk 2077 at the Night City Wire news broadcast on June 25, which you can watch as part of IGN's Summer of Gaming. [poilib element="accentDivider"] 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.

Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox Controller Contains a Neat Easter Egg

The Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox One controller features a neat little Easter egg, with a QR code that, when scanned, sends you to a track from the upcoming game's soundtrack. As reported by UglyDucklingTaken on Reddit, scanning the code found on the back of the controller now takes you to an unlisted YouTube video of 'The Ballad of Buck Ravers' by in-game band SAMURAI (as performed by real-life band Refused). Two other SAMURAI tracks are available to listen on the Cyberpunk 2077 channel, but this was previously unreleased. You can try it for yourself using the image below: 966f1ee5-c623-4f2e-aa4c-8da05e29d7fd It seems to be a recent change - before release, the same QR code would take those who scanned it to a pre-order page for the game. However, multiple commenters on the YouTube listing began saying the QR code took them to the video around a week ago. It's not the first time CD Projekt Red has hidden references in plain sight - the game's 2018 E3 trailer included hidden messages with details about the game, and the Game Detectives Wiki lists numerous other ARG elements that have been quietly ongoing in the years since announcement. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=cyberpunk-2077-xbox-hardware-images&captions=true"] Cyberpunk 2077 will be released for PC, Xbox One and PS4 on September 17, and will come to Stadia by the end of 2020. It's all but certain to come to PS5 and Xbox Series X, after CD Projekt Red confirmed that the game would support Xbox Smart Delivery upgrades. We'll learn more about Cyberpunk 2077 at the Night City Wire news broadcast on June 25, which you can watch as part of IGN's Summer of Gaming. [poilib element="accentDivider"] 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.

LEGO Super Mario: All Sets Revealed

The LEGO Group has revealed its full Super Mario product list, the result of the toymaker's collaboration with Nintendo - all of which will launch on August 1. The first items in the range were revealed back in April, where we got a glimpse of the LEGO Super Mario starter pack, which features a chunky Mario figure with interactive LCD screens in his eyes, mouth and belly. LEGO Mario interacts with 'action bricks' to display emotions and augment the experience. This will be complemented by the LEGO Super Mario app, which will track a player's build score and act as an interactive instruction manual. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/16/lego-super-mario-8-new-expansion-sets-trailer"] You can read our impressions of the Starter Set and some of the expansions in our hands-on preview, where we say it's "best enjoyed when you forget the instructions and let your imagination run wild." You can check out a gallery of all the sets below: With the full product range now revealed, we can get a more detailed glimpse at the additional adventures you'll be able to embark upon if you pick up the starter course. According to The LEGO Group, this will include the opportunity to "build Mario's house, search for treasure hidden by Toad, and defeat a Koopa Troopa in the Guarded Fortress" among others. The new products that have been revealed are split into three categories - expansion packs, power up packs, and character packs. As mentioned, you'll need the Adventures with Mario Starter Course to interface with everything on offer here. Expansion Sets offer new set pieces to play with, Character Packs are purchased in blind bags and feature iconic enemies such as Bob-ombs and Goombas, and Power Up Packs give Mario the suits he often dons in-game to augment his powers in the LEGO realm. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=lego-super-mario-49-pictures-of-the-new-sets&captions=true"]

LEGO Mario: Full List of Sets

  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Adventures with Mario Starter Course - £49.99/$59.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Guarded Fortress Expansion Set - £44.99/$49.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Desert Pokey Expansion Set - £17.99/$19.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Whomp’s Lava Trouble Expansion Set - £17.99/$19.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Piranha Plant Power Slide Expansion Set - £24.99/$29.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Boomer Bill Barrage Expansion Set - £24.99/$29.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Mario’s House & Yoshi Expansion Set - £24.99/$29.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Toad’s Treasure Hunt Expansion Set - £74.99/$69.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set - £89.99/$99.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Thwomp Drop Expansion Set - £34.99/$39.99 - available only with select retailers
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ King Boo and the Haunted Yard Expansion Set - £44.99/$49.99 - available only with select retailers
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Fire Mario Power-Up Pack - £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Propeller Mario Power-Up Pack - £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Cat Mario Power-Up Pack - £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Builder Mario Power-Up Pack - £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Character Packs - £3.49/$4.99
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/16/lego-super-mario-is-great-once-it-clicks"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

LEGO Super Mario: All Sets Revealed

The LEGO Group has revealed its full Super Mario product list, the result of the toymaker's collaboration with Nintendo - all of which will launch on August 1. The first items in the range were revealed back in April, where we got a glimpse of the LEGO Super Mario starter pack, which features a chunky Mario figure with interactive LCD screens in his eyes, mouth and belly. LEGO Mario interacts with 'action bricks' to display emotions and augment the experience. This will be complemented by the LEGO Super Mario app, which will track a player's build score and act as an interactive instruction manual. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/16/lego-super-mario-8-new-expansion-sets-trailer"] You can read our impressions of the Starter Set and some of the expansions in our hands-on preview, where we say it's "best enjoyed when you forget the instructions and let your imagination run wild." You can check out a gallery of all the sets below: With the full product range now revealed, we can get a more detailed glimpse at the additional adventures you'll be able to embark upon if you pick up the starter course. According to The LEGO Group, this will include the opportunity to "build Mario's house, search for treasure hidden by Toad, and defeat a Koopa Troopa in the Guarded Fortress" among others. The new products that have been revealed are split into three categories - expansion packs, power up packs, and character packs. As mentioned, you'll need the Adventures with Mario Starter Course to interface with everything on offer here. Expansion Sets offer new set pieces to play with, Character Packs are purchased in blind bags and feature iconic enemies such as Bob-ombs and Goombas, and Power Up Packs give Mario the suits he often dons in-game to augment his powers in the LEGO realm. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=lego-super-mario-49-pictures-of-the-new-sets&captions=true"]

LEGO Mario: Full List of Sets

  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Adventures with Mario Starter Course - £49.99/$59.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Guarded Fortress Expansion Set - £44.99/$49.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Desert Pokey Expansion Set - £17.99/$19.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Whomp’s Lava Trouble Expansion Set - £17.99/$19.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Piranha Plant Power Slide Expansion Set - £24.99/$29.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Boomer Bill Barrage Expansion Set - £24.99/$29.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Mario’s House & Yoshi Expansion Set - £24.99/$29.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Toad’s Treasure Hunt Expansion Set - £74.99/$69.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set - £89.99/$99.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Thwomp Drop Expansion Set - £34.99/$39.99 - available only with select retailers
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ King Boo and the Haunted Yard Expansion Set - £44.99/$49.99 - available only with select retailers
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Fire Mario Power-Up Pack - £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Propeller Mario Power-Up Pack - £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Cat Mario Power-Up Pack - £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Builder Mario Power-Up Pack - £8.99/$9.99
  • LEGO® Super Mario™ Character Packs - £3.49/$4.99
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/16/lego-super-mario-is-great-once-it-clicks"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

US Doctors Can Now Prescribe a Video Game as Medicine

For the first time ever, a video game can be prescribed as medicine in the US, with the FDA approving EndeavourRX for use in treating symptoms of ADHD. In an announcement from the US Food and Drug Administration (via The Verge), EndeavorRX by Akili Interactive is the first game in history that can be legally marketed in America as a medicine, after studies showed that the iOS product can be beneficial for patients impaired by ADHD. Doctors will be allowed to prescribe the game to children between eight and 12 years old. It is worth noting that Akili Interactive's study - by doctors working for EndeavorRX's developer - came to the conclusion that there isn't enough evidence to suggest that this game should be used as a replacement for established ADHD treatments, but that it can be used in addition to existing treatments. [caption id="attachment_2366151" align="alignnone" width="1280"]EndeavourRX in action (complete with optional crab costume). EndeavourRX in action (complete with optional crab costume).[/caption] The game, which is only available on prescription (and which you can join a waiting list for) sees you travelling on a raft down rivers in various fantastical locations, collecting targets and dodging obstacles. Your character can even be equipped with various different costumes from a rotating selection. You can watch a short gameplay trailer to get a sense of it You can check out the full news release from the FDA here, which explains why the landmark decision was made and describes the game as "the first digital therapeutic intended to improve symptoms associated with ADHD." "The EndeavorRx device offers a non-drug option for improving symptoms associated with ADHD in children and is an important example of the growing field of digital therapy and digital therapeutics," notes Jeffery Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

US Doctors Can Now Prescribe a Video Game as Medicine

For the first time ever, a video game can be prescribed as medicine in the US, with the FDA approving EndeavourRX for use in treating symptoms of ADHD. In an announcement from the US Food and Drug Administration (via The Verge), EndeavorRX by Akili Interactive is the first game in history that can be legally marketed in America as a medicine, after studies showed that the iOS product can be beneficial for patients impaired by ADHD. Doctors will be allowed to prescribe the game to children between eight and 12 years old. It is worth noting that Akili Interactive's study - by doctors working for EndeavorRX's developer - came to the conclusion that there isn't enough evidence to suggest that this game should be used as a replacement for established ADHD treatments, but that it can be used in addition to existing treatments. [caption id="attachment_2366151" align="alignnone" width="1280"]EndeavourRX in action (complete with optional crab costume). EndeavourRX in action (complete with optional crab costume).[/caption] The game, which is only available on prescription (and which you can join a waiting list for) sees you travelling on a raft down rivers in various fantastical locations, collecting targets and dodging obstacles. Your character can even be equipped with various different costumes from a rotating selection. You can watch a short gameplay trailer to get a sense of it You can check out the full news release from the FDA here, which explains why the landmark decision was made and describes the game as "the first digital therapeutic intended to improve symptoms associated with ADHD." "The EndeavorRx device offers a non-drug option for improving symptoms associated with ADHD in children and is an important example of the growing field of digital therapy and digital therapeutics," notes Jeffery Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.

Nintendo’s Jump Rope Challenge Is Available Now on Switch

Nintendo has announced and released Jump Rope Challenge, a free simple game that uses a pair of Joy-Con to allow Switch owners around the world to virtually jump rope anywhere without a jump rope. Revealed by Nintendo's Twitter, Jump Rope Challenge was created by a few Nintendo developers who were working from home in Japan and wanted "to add quick and fun physical movement into their daily life." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=jump-rope-challenge-screenshots&captions=true"] Jump Rope Challenge will be free until September 30, and it also allows for a friend to join in on the jump roping fun with another set of Joy-Con. However, it is important to note that Jump Rope Challenge is not compatible with Nintendo Switch Lite. Prior to this surprise announcement, Paper Mario: The Origami King was one of the only upcoming Nintendo-developed games that have been officially announced with a date for the immediate future. Following its July 17 release date, much of Nintendo's plan is unknown, so it's a small treat to have this smaller new experience from Nintendo themselves. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/12/paper-mario-the-origami-king-a-closer-look-trailer"] We know it is working on much-anticipated games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and Metroid Prime 4, but those have yet to receive any release dates or release windows. There have been reports of a Super Mario remaster collection that would include such games as Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Sunshine, but those are only rumors as of this writing. Put together Jump Rope Challenge and Ring Fit Adventure, and Nintendo is doing its part to keep you in-shape during the stay-at-home policies due to COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/30/nintendo-reportedly-planning-mario-remasters-for-switch-ign-now"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] 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 who loves Nintendo and its randomness and hope it never changes. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

PAX Australia 2020 Cancelled Due to Ongoing COVID-19 Concerns

The PAX Aus team have confirmed that PAX Australia 2020 will not take place as scheduled in the wake of the continuing coronavirus crisis. The expo – the largest of its type in Australia – was set to take place from October 9 to 11, 2020 in Melbourne, Victoria. “It is with a heavy heart that today we announce the postponement of PAX Australia 2020, due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 in Australia and globally,” said a statement published today on the PAX website. “We have been working hard with our partners and exhibitors to explore all viable options but with our desire to bring you the best PAX Aus ever, the next edition of PAX Aus will now take place in 2021.” Australia’s borders are currently closed. Only Australian citizens, residents, and immediate family members can travel to Australia at this time. There are also varying levels of restrictions on domestic travel. “While we can’t move forward with PAX Aus 2020 in the way that we normally would, we are finding new and exciting ways to connect you and the PAX community with your favourite content and creators,” continued the statement. “Stay tuned to our social media channels in the coming days as we start to announce more information.” PAX Aus was the first PAX event hosted outside the US and has been held in Melbourne annually since its inception in 2013. No new announcement has been made concerning PAX West. In April ReedPop announced that the expo would go forward as planned from September 4 to September 7 at the Seattle Convention Center, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Luke is Games Editor at IGN's Sydney office. You can find him on Twitter sporadically @MrLukeReilly.

Star Wars Celebration 2020 Cancelled

Star Wars Celebration 2020 was officially cancelled Monday due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. Star Wars Celebration will return to the Anaheim Convention Center on August 18-21, 2022. StarWars.com has posted details on how fans can get refunds to Star Wars Celebration 2020:

"Fans who were planning to attend Star Wars Celebration Anaheim this year may either transfer their current ticket purchase to the new event dates, receive a refund or receive a credit for Star Wars Celebration merchandise. As a token of our appreciation and to thank all Star Wars Celebration 2020 fans who choose to transfer their tickets to the 2022 show, we are excited to offer a free exclusive Star Wars Celebration stormtrooper character pin for all transferred tickets."

The ticket refund and merchandise credit request period opens Monday, June 22. The official site says these requests must be completed by August 26, 2020. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/15/star-wars-squadrons-trailer-reveals-story-multiplayer-modes-ign-daily-fix"] Be sure to check out StarWarsCelebration,com for additional information on hotel cancellations, any existing merchandise pre-orders, and how to get a free exclusive Star Wars Celebration stormtrooper character pin as a token of the convention's appreciation. For more Star Wars coverage, find out everything you need to know to pre-order Star Wars: Squadrons, enjoy our Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge review, and discover who IGN readers picked as the best Star Wars character of all time. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-top-25-star-wars-the-clone-wars-episodes-and-story-arcs&captions=true"]