EA is preparing to launch an ambitious new social app that it is says will use its existing technology to mix real-life and virtual sports.Announced during today's Investor Day, the new app functions similarly to existing sports apps from companies like ESPN, featuring news, scores, stats, and highlights. The main hook, Chief Experiences Officer David Tinson says, is its tie-ins with EA's various sports games, including the possibility of unlocking prizes like Ultimate Team cards based on the sizzle reel.The EA Sports app is being touted as a new way to engage with sports using EA's existing technology."Our thesis is simple: With the right products, features, and capabilities, a significant portion of hyper valuable consumer attention is available for a fraction of the …
A former Bungie lawyer has commented on upcoming improvements to embattled live service looter shooter Destiny 2, saying the role of parent company Sony in “forcing” through these changes is very much a good thing.Last week, Bungie unveiled what it called “major changes” to Destiny 2 that it hopes will win back players. Bungie has reportedly struggled to meet key financial targets, with Destiny 2 significantly underperforming last year. The Final Shape expansion reportedly sold less at launch than last year's critically panned Lightfall.…
Microsoft is laying off a further 650 staff from its gaming business, according to a memo sent by Xbox chief Phil Spencer to staff today, September 12, and obtained by IGN.In the memo, Spencer said the roles affect mostly corporate and support functions, and were made “to organize our business for long term success.” He clarified that no games, devices or experiences are being canceled and no studios are being closed as part of these cuts.These latest layoffs mean Microsoft has let go of 2,550 staff from its gaming business since acquiring Activision Blizzard for $69 billion in 2023. In his memo, below, Spencer makes it clear that the cuts are related to the acquisition.Xbox boss Phil Spencer speaking at gamescom 2024. Image credit: Microsoft.Phil Spencer’s email to staff is reproduc…
Venom: The Last Dance debuted a new trailer on Thursday, and one of its key characters was Knull — the eldritch god of darkness who created the alien symbiotes. Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman, two of the creators who helped bring Knull to life, were among those taken offguard by his inclusion, and immediately took to X/Twitter to express their surprise.Yes, I did co-create knull. No, I didn’t know until today that he was gonna be in Venom: The Last Dance. Yes, I do expect to finally be able to afford that lazy river moat around my house— Ryan "x-men man" $tegman (@RyanStegman) September 12, 2024 "Yes, I did co-create knull. No, I didn’t know until today that he was gonna be in Venom: The Last Dance," wrote Stegman, who penciled Venom Vol. 4 #3 where Knull made his…
Disney subsidiary Lucasfilm is being sued over its recreation of Grand Moff Tarkin actor Peter Cushing's image in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.As reported by The Times, a friend of Cushing has alleged Disney did not have permission to recreate the actor's image with special effects for Rogue One. Disney tried and failed to have the case dismissed for a second time on September 9, 2024.The plaintiff Kevin Francis is suing Lucasfilm through his film company Tyburn Film Productions and also brought claims against Rogue One producer Lunak Heavy Industries, the late executors of Cushing's estate, and Cushing's agency Associated International Management.Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope. Image credit: starwars.com.Francis claimed he must …
Gandalf actor Ian McKellen doesn't like the idea of anyone else playing the iconic wizard in the upcoming Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, and has revealed he's expecting a script in 2025.McKellen said on This Morning that he was eager to return to The Lord of the Rings after portraying Gandalf in both the original trilogy and The Hobbit films, though a holiday to New Zealand may be the main reason why.…
Filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Judd Apatow have reportedly boarded Sony’s upcoming Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi movie, Cola Wars.A Deadline report shares that Apatow is now attached to direct the project, with Spielberg tapped as a producer via Amblin Entertainment. It’s primed to tell a mid-1980s story that follows the battle between Pepsi and Coke for the top spot of soda drinkers’ favorite poppy beverage. Deadline said Sony purchased Cola Wars for more than $1 million amid a tense auction earlier this year.(TOP) Judd Apatow. Image credit Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival. (BOTTOM) Steven Spielberg. Image credit Presley Ann/Getty Images for TCM.The Cola Wars is the real-life story of a rivalry that’s lasted for decades, with important moments including the New Coke contr…
Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin has said he's made little progress lately with the latest A Song of Ice and Fire book, the infamously delayed The Winds of Winter, as his various TV shows "ate up" most of his time.Martin shared the update in a blog post where he discussed his mounting stress levels. "The first half of my year was pretty miserable," Martin said, before explaining a close friend died suddenly in January. "Nor did I find much solace in my work," he added."Writing came hard, and though I did produce some new pages on both The Winds of Winter (yes) and Blood & Fire (the sequel to Fire & Blood, the second part of my Targaryen history), I would have liked to turn out a lot more.Image credit: IGN."My various television…
Cryptozoic's long-running DC Deck-Building Game is growing even bigger in 2025 with the release of a new Arkham Asylum deck. This base set deck will allow players to fill the shoes of iconic villains like Joker, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, and Riddler as they terrorize Gotham City.DC Deck-Building Game: Arkham Asylum is the focus of Cryptozoic's latest Kickstarter campaign. The deck will be available in one of two covers – the standard DC villains cover by Philip Tan and a Kickstarter -exclusive cover spotlighting Joker and Harley by Matteo Scalera. The campaign also includes the option of one of two Travel Boxes, a Batman Edition and a Kickstarter-exclusive Joker Edition. These Travel Boxes are made to store 500 cards and can even unfold to form a play mat.…
Apple officially revealed the iPhone 16 during today's Glowtime event today, confirming new features like an updated camera button along with the price, specs, and more.The iPhone 16 is being designed for Apple Intelligence, Apple's AI initiative, "from the "ground up." It is being made from aerospace-grade aluminum and will feature an updated Ceramic Shield it claims is 50 percent tougher than the first generation version.The iPhone 16 has been revealed. Image source: Apple.One new feature is a customizable action button, which was first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro. It allows users to access functions like recording a voice memo or translating a phrase. It's also introducing a new camera control on the right side below the on/off switch, which integrate…