On Tuesday, Electronic Arts (EA) held its annual Investor Day — a three-hour presentation intended for its investors to learn more about the company's direction and promises to make them money in the coming year. But you'd be forgiven if you thought this was some sort of AI tech conference given how effusively the technology was brought up and touted as a key component of EA's future.While we've known for a while that EA and a number of other gaming companies are experimenting with and investing heavily in AI, it was nonetheless a bit overwhelming just how often AI came up throughout the entire presentation. It was mentioned it just about every single segment in some capacity, had its own dedicated segment near the end, and was described during CEO Andrew Wilson'…
Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has released the long-awaited update 01.001.100, which tweaks the game balance, weapons, and stratagems as part of a significant overhaul that aims to bring lapsed fans back into the game by making it easier.The PC and PlayStation 5 co-op shooter has changed anti-tank, armor penetration, health, and armor values, rebalanced weapons and stratagems, reworked enemies, tweaked Helldiver health and damage mechanics, reworked gas, added a new Galactic War feature and emote wheel feature, and fixed a long list of bugs.The Galactic War map can now display the location of strategically important assets. Arrowhead said this will make it much easier for players to take them into consideration when deciding their next move. The new emote wheel feature lets players equi…
Magic: The Gathering's next set, Duskmourn, is all about horror. So it's fitting that Wizards of the Coast has announced a round of spooky crossovers, including both Ghostbusters and the one we get to reveal today: Chucky.Flip through the gallery below to see all the cards in the Chucky Secret Lair drop:…
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…