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Thursday, February 28, 2013

IGN Live Presents: SimCity Marathon starring Greg Miller

In the mid ‘90s, a nerdy junior high student named Greg Miller spent hundreds of hours building the city of his dreams in SimCity 2000. Now, more than 15 years later, IGN’s fully grown and still nerdy Greg Miller will relive his youth by playing EA's brand new SimCity on Tuesday, March 5, from 9am to 6pm PACIFIC - FOR 9 HOURS STRAIGHT.

But wait, there's more! Join Greg as he breaks ground in a new region that you can join with up to 7 other players, whom we will select  via Twitter.

So be sure to tune in and tweet us on Tuesday at @IGN #SimCity to be a part of the conversation along the way, and for a chance to build (and destroy) entire communities alongside the mighty one himself. * Includes a very special cameo from our own Daemon Hatfield from 9-11am Pacific.

What: Watch Greg Miller play SimCity ALL DAY LONG

When: Tuesday, March 5, 9:00AM-6PM Pacific (4:30PM-1:30AM GMT)

Where: Right here in this article, on your Xbox with IGN's Xbox Live app, on Roku, YouTube, or your phone/tablet.

Why: Because Greg has lost his mind, and that's not an event to miss.

BEYOND!


Source : ign[dot]com

AU: Win a Hot Lap and Tickets to the Top Gear Festival Sydney

The first ever Top Gear™ Festival Sydney is descending on Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek for one weekend only, on the weekend of March 9/10.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and The Stig™ will be joined by Australian co-host Shane Jacobson and a swag of racing legends and celebrities for a weekend full of motoring madness and crazy stunts. Watch Aussie speed demons Mark Webber, Jamie Whincup and Casey Stoner in the F1 vs V8 vs Bike race, or see Clarkson take on Australia's fastest woman, Sally Pearson, in a unique 100m showdown.

Thanks to Alienware we've got a pair of prize packs to give away that include a hot lap and a double-pass for Saturday, March 9. Alienware (who'll be set up next to the Red Bull garage) will have several things happening on their stand over the weekend, including a racing contest of their own featuring F1 2012. Spot prizes will be available for any gamers who beat Alienware's resident racing sim expert 'The Vic', and a Top Gear Festival Lifetime Pass will be awarded as Grand Prize for the fastest lap of the weekend.

To go in the running to win a double-pass and a hot lap, simply send your answer to the question below to outreach@ign.com under the subject line 'Top Gear Alienware Competition' with your full name, postal address, phone number and state included:

Some say he knows two facts about ducks, and both of them are wrong. All we know is, he’s called The Stig. In 25 words or less tell us how you would introduce The Stig.

Those with the most creative answers will win a double-pass. Winners will be drawn next week and must be aged 18 and over and be able to travel to Eastern Creek, NSW on Saturday, March 9. Hot laps will occur between 8:00AM and 8:30AM.


Source : ign[dot]com

AU: Win a Hot Lap and Tickets to the Top Gear Festival Sydney

The first ever Top Gear™ Festival Sydney is descending on Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek for one weekend only, on the weekend of March 9/10.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and The Stig™ will be joined by Australian co-host Shane Jacobson and a swag of racing legends and celebrities for a weekend full of motoring madness and crazy stunts. Watch Aussie speed demons Mark Webber, Jamie Whincup and Casey Stoner in the F1 vs V8 vs Bike race, or see Clarkson take on Australia's fastest woman, Sally Pearson, in a unique 100m showdown.

Thanks to Alienware we've got a pair of prize packs to give away that include a hot lap and a double-pass for Saturday, March 9. Alienware (who'll be set up next to the Red Bull garage) will have several things happening on their stand over the weekend, including a racing contest of their own featuring F1 2012. Spot prizes will be available for any gamers who beat Alienware's resident racing sim expert 'The Vic', and a Top Gear Festival Lifetime Pass will be awarded as Grand Prize for the fastest lap of the weekend.

To go in the running to win a double-pass and a hot lap, simply send your answer to the question below to outreach@ign.com under the subject line 'Top Gear Alienware Competition' with your full name, postal address, phone number and state included:

Some say he knows two facts about ducks, and both of them are wrong. All we know is, he’s called The Stig. In 25 words or less tell us how you would introduce The Stig.

Those with the most creative answers will win a double-pass. Winners will be drawn next week and must be aged 18 and over and be able to travel to Eastern Creek, NSW on Saturday, March 9. Hot laps will occur between 8:00AM and 8:30AM.


Source : ign[dot]com

Star Wars: The Clone Wars' Ashley Eckstein on Ahsoka Tano's Role in the Season 5 Finale - "This is a Life-Changing Moment for Her"

The final story arc of Season 5 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars has been a big one, finding Ahsoka Tano framed for murder and sedition and forced to go on the run. As we go into Saturday morning’s season finale, I spoke to the voice of Ahsoka, Ashley Eckstein, about the state of mind the young Padawan is in now that she's been captured and is brought before Jedi and Republic representatives, most of whom seem to believe she is guilty.

IGN TV: What did you think about this entire arc and the fact that it was going to be such a dramatic story for Ahsoka with her on the run like this?

Ashley Eckstein: As we get closer to Episode III, we knew that we’re going to have to start giving more of a backstory to what happens to Ahsoka, because we’ve known this entire time that Ahsoka’s not in Episode III. The closer we get, we have to kind of give an explanation for that. I knew that stories like this were definitely coming, but to have such a dramatic storyline with Ahsoka, I was just blown away. Charles Murray, the arc that he’s been able to write, and then of course [The Clone Wars' supervising director] Dave Filoni, being so closely tied to Ahsoka -- Ahsoka’s really been his personal creation from the beginning -- and I think what Dave’s been able to do with this whole story arc is just an amazing thing. It has so many different levels to it.

IGN: Was this one where you only learning the specifics via the scripts or were you given any heads-up about where it might go beforehand?

Eckstein: I as given a heads-up beforehand of where it would go. Dave wanted to tell me before I went into the studio for all of these. Because it was pretty dramatic, he didn’t want me to find out right before. And he also wanted to give me a chance to prepare for it. We actually had an exchange over email with some questions and answers, where I’d ask him, like, 20 questions. [Laughs] And he was so kind to give me pretty lengthy answers on Ahsoka’s motivation and what’s going on in her mind about this whole incident and being framed and being on the run and then being caught and going on trial, everything. I just really wanted to get inside of Ahsoka’s mind, and he was able to explain it all to me. It was important for me as an actress to understand it all and get inside Ahsoka’s head.

IGN: So what can you say about what we’re going to see in the finale? Obviously she’s been caught now, and it looks even worse for her now as far as all these things that make her look guilty.

Eckstein: Well, things are not looking good for Ahsoka, that’s for sure. Anakin knows that there’s more going on, and he knows that Ahsoka didn’t do this. But the more that happens -- things are not going in Ahsoka’s favor, so it harder and harder for him to help her out and prove that she’s innocent. But he’s still out there fighting for her. It’s nice to see that aspect of it. Obviously, at this point, her only hope is Anakin. But we’ll find out in this episode that her other hope is Padme, who’s been assigned to represent her. But her frame of mind at this point, I think she’s so emotionally drained and exhausted that… I hate to say that she’s giving up, because Ahsoka just doesn’t have the personality, to me, to give up. But I think she just doesn’t know what else to do. I think she’s just going to go in there and state her case and hope for the best. I don’t think she realizes, though -- and it’s probably a good thing she doesn’t realize -- that the odds are really not in her favor with the Jedi Council and obviously the Senate and everything else that’s going on around her that frankly I don’t think she can understand. She can only understand her problems. I don’t think she understands all of the other problems that are going on in general with the Jedi. So things are not looking good, and she’s a little bit resigned to the fact that she might be out of options.

IGN: We’ve seen a lot of the Jedi Council be quick to believe the worst about her, or at least believe it’s very possible. What did you think about that as the person who plays Ahsoka?

Eckstein: Yeah, Ahsoka definitely feels betrayed, that is for sure. She knows that Anakin believes her, but she really feels like that if she doesn’t help herself at this point then nobody else will. So I think the word is “betrayed.” She feels betrayed. I think she’s just so blindsided by everything that happened. This is a life-changing moment for her. I don’t think she’ll ever be able to look at things the same.

IGN: One sort of life-changing moment for her -- a smaller one in the scheme of things -- is the fact that she worked alongside Asajj Ventress for the first time. It’s certainly an alliance that she didn’t see coming, and they had that little interesting interaction at the end about that. Going into this episode, she thinks that Asajj has completely betrayed her. But do you think for the brief time they were actually working together it kind of maybe gave her a different point of view on things, seeing what Asajj was like, up close and personal?

Eckstein: Yeah, absolutely. The first part of that, about feeling betrayed by Ventress, that’s just kind of another kick in the gut, I feel like. Everywhere she turns, something bad is happening and somebody is betraying her and turning on her. So for her to trust Ventress -- because that was her only option, and she trusted her -- and for her to believe that Ventress turned on her, again, is just one more betrayal. She’s just exhausted at this point. So the line she says -- and I actually love how innocent she sounds when she says it -- is, “I never thought we’d be working together, ever.” Then for Ventress to say, “These are strange times,” I love that exchange between the two of them. Because if you go back over the course of our series, I mean do you honestly think that Ahsoka and Ventress would ever work together? Absolutely not! So I think we still see a little bit of Ahsoka’s wide-eyed innocence a little bit, like she just can’t believe it. Then Ventress, obviously with everything she’s been through, I think she opens Ahsoka’s eyes a little bit when she says, “These are strange times,” because they really are. Ahsoka, man, she’s learning more and more by the minute and growing up more and more by the minute.

IGN: Overall, what was your reaction and how do you think fans will react to this episode and how it ends?

Eckstein: Without giving anything away, I think two things are going to happen, and it’s kind of going to sound like an oxymoron here: several questions are going to be answered -- questions that they’ve had for a long time -- and then they’re also going to have maybe more questions than answers at the end. So they’ll have some answers to some questions, and then they’re going to have more questions that they didn’t have before. That’s what I think is going to happen. I would just say bring your tissues, because it’s a crazy episode.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars' season finale airs Saturday, March 2nd at 9:30am ET/PT on Cartoon Network.

Eric Goldman is Executive Editor of IGN TV. You can follow him on Twitter at @EricIGN, IGN at ericgoldman-ign and Facebook at Facebook.com/TheEricGoldman.


Source : ign[dot]com

Channel Surfing Podcast, Episode 195

Hey guys, Eric and Roth here, joined this week by a very special guest – freaking Spartacus himself! That’s right, Liam McIntyre sits down with us to chat all about Spartacus: War of the Damned, the currently underway final season of Starz’s series.

Liam talks to us about the shifting allegiances this season and the fine line between who is “good” and “bad”, as the countdown is underway to the big series finale. We also talk to Liam about the punishing Spartacus work out and food regimen, his love of video games and more.

Liam McIntyre in Spartacus: War of the Damned

After that… Well, there is nothing more after that, because I got super sick shortly after recording this! But look for more Channel Surfing next week...

Listen to our latest podcast by clicking the lovely red type below - right click to download.

Channel Surfing Podcast, Episode 195

Hey, why not follow us on Twitter?

Liam McIntyre: @Liam_J_McIntyre

Eric Goldman: @EricIGN

Roth Cornet: @RothCornet

Subscribe to Channel Surfing on iTunes

Join the Channel Surfing Facebook Group

Have a question or comment for a future episode? Email us at ChannelSurfing@ign.com.


Source : ign[dot]com

Channel Surfing Podcast, Episode 195

Hey guys, Eric and Roth here, joined this week by a very special guest – freaking Spartacus himself! That’s right, Liam McIntyre sits down with us to chat all about Spartacus: War of the Damned, the currently underway final season of Starz’s series.

Liam talks to us about the shifting allegiances this season and the fine line between who is “good” and “bad”, as the countdown is underway to the big series finale. We also talk to Liam about the punishing Spartacus work out and food regimen, his love of video games and more.

Liam McIntyre in Spartacus: War of the Damned

After that… Well, there is nothing more after that, because I got super sick shortly after recording this! But look for more Channel Surfing next week...

Listen to our latest podcast by clicking the lovely red type below - right click to download.

Channel Surfing Podcast, Episode 195

Hey, why not follow us on Twitter?

Liam McIntyre: @Liam_J_McIntyre

Eric Goldman: @EricIGN

Roth Cornet: @RothCornet

Subscribe to Channel Surfing on iTunes

Join the Channel Surfing Facebook Group

Have a question or comment for a future episode? Email us at ChannelSurfing@ign.com.


Source : ign[dot]com

Neil Gaiman's Unreleased Novel Picked Up By Hollywood

Neil Gaiman, well-known novelist, screenwriter and comic-book author, has had his yet-to-be-released novel already picked up by Focus Features.

Deadline reports that Focus Features and Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are closing a deal to obtain Gaiman's novel The Ocean At The End of the Lane, due for release in June. Atonement, Anna Karenina and Pride and Prejudice director Joe Wright will helm.

The Ocean At The End of the Lane is described by the book's publishers (as reported on Gaiman's own blog) as "a novel about memory and magic and survival, about the power of stories and the darkness inside each of us.

"It began for our narrator forty years ago when he was seven: the lodger stole the family's car and committed suicide in it, stirring up ancient powers best left undisturbed. Creatures from beyond the world are on the loose, and it will take everything our narrator has just to stay alive: there is primal horror here, and a menace unleashed -- within his family, and from the forces that have gathered to destroy it.

"His only defense is three women, on a ramshackle farm at the end of the lane. The youngest of them claims that her duckpond is an ocean. The oldest can remember the Big Bang.

"The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a fable that reshapes modern fantasy: moving, terrifying and elegiac -- as pure as a dream, as delicate as a butterfly's wing, as dangerous as a knife in the dark."

Gaiman himself describes it as "an astonishingly personal sort of a novel," and not "really a book for children." Another of Gaiman's books, American Gods, is currently being turned into a series by HBO, and film adaptations of his graphic novel series Sandman and children's fantasy The Graveyard Book are also in the works.

Sound good to you? Sounds good to us.


Source : ign[dot]com

Game Brief: Gravity Duck

Ravenous Games, the studio behind League of Evil and a variety of other top-notch 2D titles, is back once again with Gravity Duck. The title is a simple 2D puzzle platformer built around a gravity-switching mechanic similar to VVVVVV. Here's what you need to know:

  • There are 100 gravity-flipping levels in all, each taking around 15-30 seconds to complete once you know what to do.
  • Puzzling out the safe path through the level will work your brain a little, but Gravity Duck is also about motor skills. You'll have to navigate your duck through spikes, time runs through deadly hazards, etc.
  • The action is controlled mainly via a touch-screen D-Pad. Like all Ravenous games, the D-Pad feels sharp and responsive, but if virtual controls don't do it for you, Gravity Duck won't change your mind.
  • The old school graphics and blip-bloop music greatly appeal to me as an 80s gamer but your milage may vary.
  • Gravity Duck isn't an especially ambitious game. It takes one simple idea, fully explores it over 100 levels and then offers that package to you for a cool $0.99. It doesn't overstay its welcome or get bogged down over-designed game elements.

Gravity Duck is available now on the App Store for $0.99 and is a Universal app. Support for Game Center achievements and iCloud saves is included.

Snap Judgment

After playing half of Gravity Duck's 100 levels, the game is recommended, as long as virtual D-pads don't drive you batty.

Justin is Editor of IGN Wireless. He has been reviewing mobile games since the dark days of Java flip phones. You can follow him on Twitter at @ErrorJustin and on IGN.


Source : ign[dot]com

Daniel Radcliffe for Fox's Frankenstein

Daniel Radcliffe is now in final negotiations to star as Igor in 20th Century Fox's remake of Frankenstein.

According to Variety, the production is expected to begin production later this fall after Radcliffe's run in the West End play Cripple of Irishman.

Based on Mary Shelley's classic 19th century novel, Frankenstein is penned by Chronicle scribe Max Landis and has Paul McGuigan (Lucky Number Slevin) directing.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love by following @Max_Nicholson on Twitter, or MaxNicholson on IGN.


Source : ign[dot]com

Kathy Bates’ American Horror Story Character Will Be Meaner Than Misery

It has been announced that Kathy Bates will be joining the cast of American Horror Story for the upcoming third season. The actress is set to play the old-friend/nemesis to Jessica Lang’s character, and in a recent interview with TVLine, creator/executive-producer Ryan Murphy revealed that the actress will out-evil any role she has previously played with this one.

“Oh, Kathy’s never [played] someone this bad. Her [character] is a bad, bad woman!” he said, adding that she'll be “five times worse than [her] Misery character — which is why she liked it."

"When I pitched this to Kathy, her mouth was drop-jawed because what I was pitching actually happened," Murphy added. “It’s a true event… You’ll see. It’s some good stuff.”

A true event? A true event eh, Murphy? Well we know that Murphy wanted to reprise the Romeo and Juliet star-crossed lovers aspect of season one, we know that he wanted to infuse an elements of “glam” and now we know Season 3 will be based (at least partially) on a true event.

Make your guesses below!

The American Horror Story players, Frances Conroy, Taissa Farmiga, Lily Rabe, Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters are also all set to rejoin the carnival of monsters in all new roles for Season 3, which is set to shoot this summer and premiere in the fall.


Source : ign[dot]com

Sony's 4K Movie Service Will Come to PS4

While Sony has been pretty secretive about the look and feel of the PS4, one thing has been confirmed today by The Verge: the upcoming next-gen console will support Sony's other pet project, the "world's first" 4K movie download service. In an exclusive chat with Sony Electronics President and COO Phil Molyneux, details emerged about the ultra-high definition movie service that jive with the system's ability to support 4K photos and movies, but not games.

No further details, or even a release date, were nailed down, but it appears that the 4K service will be heavily impaired by ultra-slow downloads. Molyneux indicated that 4K videos could be more than 100 GB each, meaning that there will be plenty more overnight downloads ahead for Sony's fans. However, as technology improves, the folks at Sony are hedging their bets to create a fully comprehensive 4K entertainment system, with the company's 4K TVs at the center and the PS4 as an entry point to mainstream adoption.

What do you think of a 4K movie download service for the PS4? Are you willing to put up with the long wait times? Let us know in the comments below.

Lauren Hockenson is a tech reporter and 8-bit enthusiast who dreams of being a wizard. She can be found on MyIGN at lhockenson or on Twitter at @lhockenson.


Source : ign[dot]com

Watch Dogs Dev Hires New Managing Director

The Ubisoft studio behind Driver: San Francisco, Reflections has been hiring aggressively, and its latest get is Pauline Jacquey. The ex-producer of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter and the mobile versions of Assassin’s Creed and Prince of Persia will take on the role of managing director, as well as many of the decision-making and public relations duties.

Ubisoft Reflections is also hot off of helping out other Ubisoft studios on the likes of Just Dance 4 and Far Cry 3. Jaquey joins Reflections is amid its collaboration with Ubisoft Montreal on Watch Dogs, and will lead the studio on "a number of soon to be announced projects."

Taylor Cocke is a Bay Area based freelance games writer. Listen to him spout about bands you don't care about by following Taylor on Twitter at @taylorcocke.


Source : ign[dot]com

New Full Length Trailer For NBC's Serial Killer Drama Hannibal

Following NBC’s release of the 30-second teaser trailer for their upcoming serial killer drama Hannibal, a full 2-minute, international, trailer has become available.

Loosely based on the book series, the show acts as a prequel to Silence of the Lambs and follows a young FBI Agent Will Graham’s (Hugh Dancy) work with the now infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) – later to be known as Hannibal the Cannibal. David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) directs the first episode in the series. Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies, Wonderfalls) executive produces.

Hannibal premieres on April 4th on NBC.


Source : ign[dot]com

ShootMania is now available on Steam!

That's right folks ShootMania and ManiaPlanet has made it's way to Steam! With the game going into Open Beta we saw more players enjoying the unique experience that Nadeo has created but with the launch of ShootMania on Steam more than 6 million gamers have access to ShootMania!

The best part is that it's free to join in and play with your friends. All you simply need to do is go to Steam and download the game. That's it! If you pre-order now you will get access to the full game when it launches!

So what are you waiting for? Go and get your ShootMania on!


Source : ign[dot]com

Awkward Moment on the Set of Muppets 2

Ricky Gervais may be hard at work on The Muppets... Again! But that doesn't mean he can't spare a few minutes to tweet every now and then. Today, the actor released a brief video of him and his co-star Pepino Rodrigo Serrano Gonzales (aka Pepe the King Prawn) sharing a brief exchange between takes. Check it out:

The Muppets... Again! opens March 21, 2014.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love by following @Max_Nicholson on Twitter, or MaxNicholson on IGN.


Source : ign[dot]com

IPL Fight Club: Heavyweight Championship

The IPL is pleased to announce its return to South by Southwest!

Featuring two of the world's top StarCraft II players competing for a $8,000 prize pool, the IPL Fight Club Heavyweight Championship will take place Friday, March 8th, 3pm, at the Screenburn Arcade at South by Southwest. 

South by Southwest is an annual conference & festival that takes place in Austin, Texas, featuring the best in film, music and entertainment. Screenburn is the weekend of SXSW that features interactive media, including video games. People should stop by Screenburn to check out the world's best StarCraft II players as they showcase Wings of Liberty for the final time before Blizzard's new launch of Heart of the Swarm! Heart of the Swarm launches March 12th digitally and in retailers across the globe. For information on Blizzard Heart of the Swarm launch events, visit their official site. You can also view all our content including the SXSW Showdown online at www.ign.com/ipl.

Without further ado, here are the players for IPL Fight Club: Heavyweight Championship!

Polt

Polt is known as a Terran player with among the best micromanagement in the world. He largely prefers a bio composition in his army, and he has become famous for this style, even at times at his own peril. He is one of the more well respected and quiet professional players and is also known for having near perfect English, following his studies at Seoul University. He is a GSL Champion and a multiple international event winner skilled in both Wings of Liberty and Heart of the Swarm.

HyuN

HyuN is often known as the King of IPL Fight Club where he won for 14 consecutive weeks, earning a combined $7,300. He is an incredibly strong Zerg player, who ascended from obscurity during his Fight Club reign, where he defeated several GSL champions and top international champions. At IPL5 in Las Vegas, he earned 2nd place at GSL, barely falling to MVP's Sniper. While people are still wondering exactly how good HyuN is, he has demonstrated his absolute strength in online play and has continued to improve over several months.

This will be the ultimate showdown between the man known as the King of Fight Club and the current champion and one of strongest performing players in the world! The two will showdown in 11 rounds of StarCraft II for the $8000 prize pool and the IPL Fight Club championship!


Source : ign[dot]com

Decide The Next Game Boss

This is it--the penultimate episode of The Next Game Boss season 2. While normally you might be more excited for, well, the ultimate episode, this time you should really care about this one. Why? Because this is the episode where we call on you, the viewers, to decide who the Next Game Boss really is.

We're making the final games available for you to download, play, and judge for yourself. Then you tell us who you think has crushed the competition, and we're going to give that team $10,000. No pressure.

The Next Game Boss: Episode 6

Is this the first you've seen of the series? Check out our full playlist on Youtube to watch all the episodes so far.

Spoiler Warning: From here on we're talking about the finalists, so if you don't want to get spoiled watch the episode before you scroll any farther down!

Download The Finalists

Ready to download the games, judge them for yourself, and weigh in? Click the links below, and don't forget to tweet and share with your friends so they know how important you are to the Next Game Boss decision.

Vote Now

Now that you've seen the show and played the games, it's time to cast your vote. Which team has created the best game? Who should be the Next Game Boss and walk away with $10,000? Select your choice for winner below, and don't forget to shout out in the comments about which game you chose and why you think it's the best.

Vote for the game ''you'' think should win The Next Game Boss Season 2. Voting is open for four days only -- don't miss your chance!

Enter your vote beginning on February 26, 2013 at 12:00 pm (PT). Polling ends on March 2, 2013 at 12:00 pm (PT). Voting is limited to one vote per IP address.

Check Out Our Wiki

If this has piqued your interest and you want to know more about the judges, teams, and games, we've got you covered. Check out our wiki for past episodes, judge and team profiles, and information on all 8 game projects featured throughout the series.

Ashley Jenkins heads up the community and social media team for IGN. She speaks semi-fluent meme and has a lifelong vendetta against beets. Follow her on Twitter at @jinxcellent or IGN and send pictures of cats.


Source : ign[dot]com

Animal Man #18 Preview

Rotworld, the crossover between Animal Man and Swamp Thing, is over, for all intents and purposes. But that doesn't mean there isn't some mega fallout. Issue #18 of both series will be serving as an epilogue of sorts to the crossover, and DC is promising that the events of the story will weigh heavily on the future of Buddy Baker and family.

Get your first look at next week's Animal Man #18 below, written by Jeff Lemire with art by Steve Pugh.

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Joey is a Senior Editor at IGN and a comic book creator. Follow Joey on Twitter @JoeyEsposito, or find him on IGN at Joey-IGN. If he could, he'd run away to live amongst wild cats for the rest of his days.


Source : ign[dot]com

New Features Coming to Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

You asked, Capcom listened. Today the company announced that in April, following the March 19 release of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Wii U, the game will be getting a software update in response to community feedback.

The update will add cross-region functionality for online play, allowing North American and European gamers to play together in up to four-player battles. It will also allow for off-TV play using the Wii U GamePad.

Additionally, for several months after release monster hunters can expect to recieve additional DLC quests, free of charge. The first quest will be available at launch.

Not bad, Capcom. Now here's hoping the company listens to fan feedback when working on the inevitable Resident Evil 7...

Audrey Drake is a Nintendo Editor at IGN. She is also a lifelong gamer, a frequent banisher of evil and a wielder of various legendary blades. Also, she and Chrom are soulmates. Tough luck for Sumia. You can keep track of Audrey's wild adventures by following Aminka on IGN or @GameOnAminka on Twitter. Game on!


Source : ign[dot]com

Dane Cook to Lead Voice Cast of Disney's Planes

Disney announced today that comedian and actor Dane Cook will voice the lead role of "Dusty" in their upcoming 3D animated feature film Planes.

“Dane Cook brings unmatched charisma and brilliant comedic timing and instincts to the character,” said the film's director Klay Hall. “He gives Dusty a great edge.”

Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer was originally cast as Dusty. Cryer had already done press for Planes, including an appearance at D23 in August 2011 where he recounted his experiences in the recording booth of about 10 sessions over a two-year period.

The movie, originally intended as a direct-to-video spinoff of Pixar's Cars, opens theatrically August 9 via not Pixar but Disney's Disneytoon Studios banner.


Source : ign[dot]com

Crytek Reveals the Many Faces of Free-to-Play

Behind the tittersome names, in Crytek's Warface and Gface there lies a more serious message and an unmistakeable declaration of intent. Crysis developer Crytek has previously made clear its intention to wholly embrace free-to-play over the coming years. In the short-term, this involves Crytek aiming to deliver a polished and persistent multiplayer experience with its upcoming shooter, Warface. Meanwhile, the developer hopes to realise its longer-term free-to-play aspirations via its social platform, Gface. Most intriguing is Crytek’s vision for the development of connected single-player experiences, which represent a crucial missing piece of the free-to-play puzzle.

Warface is squarely aimed at people who buy the latest blockbuster FPS for the multiplayer.

Warface is Crytek’s multiplayer free-to-play FPS, powered by the potent CryEngine 3 and squarely aimed at people who frequently buy the latest instalment of a blockbuster FPS for the multiplayer experience. Its service-based nature is intended to address a key weakness of the traditional, product-orientated competition by offering a high-quality shooter that provides a persistent, ongoing experience. There is to be no more starting from scratch year after year and losing progress, levels, perks and weapons: Crytek wants to offer an alternative to the hamster-wheel by way of steady and continuous forward momentum.

Warface’s traditional competitive game modes are currently spread over ten maps, while its in-game weapon customisation and slide manoeuvre will be familiar to veterans of the Crysis series. Its four soldier classes play sufficiently differently from one another to promote teamwork and its weapon and equipment unlocks come in a steady drip-feed as progression is made through the ranks.

Complementing the PvP modes is a co-op PvE experience, which offers the chance for teams to compete for leader-board placement to earn in-game rewards. The co-op mode is restricted to two levels per day (one new, one rolling over from the previous day), but it nonetheless represents a welcome opportunity to take a break from shooting your friends in the face and to band together to achieve a more structured goal.

For all of the customisation options available in Warface, it offers a disappointing dearth of choices for the ethnicity of your soldier avatar, though this could and should be easily rectified. A more thoughtful introduction to its three different in-game currencies would also be beneficial. However, it’s encouraging to discover that the best items and weapons can only be obtained in exchange for the currency that has to be earned through play and cannot be bought.

The best items and weapons can only be obtained in exchange for the currency that has to be earned through play.

Underpinning the introduction of Warface is Crytek’s social platform, Gface. Crytek differentiates the function of Gface from that of superficially similar platforms like Steam and Origin by highlighting that it is not a distribution platform with social features added on, but has instead been built around the notion of free-to-play’s inherent inclusivity. The browser-based Gface acts as a library instead of a store, where every player can access all of the games, facilitating friends playing together.

Gface will initially focus on Crytek’s own free-to-play offerings but it’s the developer’s intention to expand to include third-party titles in the future. Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli hints that not all of these titles will necessarily be the multiplayer free-for-all that is often associated with free-to-play, though his opening gambit on the subject is initially alarming.

“I think the notion of a single-player experience has to go away,” Yerli confidently declares. “However, I’m not saying that there will be no single-player experiences ... it could be it’s called Connected Single-Player or Online Single-Player instead.”

“Online and social can reignite single-player in a new type of context and provide benefits that will make you want to be a part of a connected story-mode rather than a disconnected story-mode. Sure, if the technology forces you to play a traditional single-player game online, that doesn’t make sense but if it’s offering actual benefits to be online then you want to be part of it.”

I think the notion of a single-player experience has to go away.

Yerli is unwilling to talk specifics, but you don’t have to look far to understand the kind of games to which he’s referring: From Software’s seminal Demon’s and Dark Souls, Thatgamecompay’s Journey and almost every racing title under the sun already offer connected single-player experiences. Even stalwart single-player titles like Atlus’ Catherine and Telltale’s phenomenally successful The Walking Dead pepper their experiences with simple but connected updates about the decisions other players are making.

Imagine, then, if the world of The Walking Dead was a persistent one, shaped by the decisions of players in it. Your already weighty choices could be shown to affect not just AI ciphers but real-life survivors of the digital zombie apocalypse. Could a game like The Walking Dead work within Crytek’s vision of a free-to-play future?

“I would actually say that The Walking Dead on Gface would make more money than anywhere else,” Yerli proclaims. “The Walking Dead would be a primary example of how, with some innovation, it would work even better with the free-to-play concept.”

Unfortunately, Yerli won’t be drawn on specifics of how this might be made to work, preferring to talk more about potential future concepts than make outright promises. Clearly, though, Crytek strongly believes the free-to-play model can be a viable and innovative alternative to the industry’s current structure across all genres and experiences.

Back in the here and now, Warface represents the company’s promise to introduce a quality free-to-play multiplayer experience, while Gface is to offer groups of friends an accessible and consistent way to play together. If Crytek applies the same commitment to producing viable, engaging connected single-player experiences, it may yet change the entire face of the free-to-play landscape.

Stace Harman is a freelance contributor to IGN and is convinced that zombies will one day inherent the Earth. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN.


Source : ign[dot]com

Crytek Reveals the Many Faces of Free-to-Play

Behind the tittersome names, in Crytek's Warface and Gface there lies a more serious message and an unmistakeable declaration of intent. Crysis developer Crytek has previously made clear its intention to wholly embrace free-to-play over the coming years. In the short-term, this involves Crytek aiming to deliver a polished and persistent multiplayer experience with its upcoming shooter, Warface. Meanwhile, the developer hopes to realise its longer-term free-to-play aspirations via its social platform, Gface. Most intriguing is Crytek’s vision for the development of connected single-player experiences, which represent a crucial missing piece of the free-to-play puzzle.

Warface is squarely aimed at people who buy the latest blockbuster FPS for the multiplayer.

Warface is Crytek’s multiplayer free-to-play FPS, powered by the potent CryEngine 3 and squarely aimed at people who frequently buy the latest instalment of a blockbuster FPS for the multiplayer experience. Its service-based nature is intended to address a key weakness of the traditional, product-orientated competition by offering a high-quality shooter that provides a persistent, ongoing experience. There is to be no more starting from scratch year after year and losing progress, levels, perks and weapons: Crytek wants to offer an alternative to the hamster-wheel by way of steady and continuous forward momentum.

Warface’s traditional competitive game modes are currently spread over ten maps, while its in-game weapon customisation and slide manoeuvre will be familiar to veterans of the Crysis series. Its four soldier classes play sufficiently differently from one another to promote teamwork and its weapon and equipment unlocks come in a steady drip-feed as progression is made through the ranks.

Complementing the PvP modes is a co-op PvE experience, which offers the chance for teams to compete for leader-board placement to earn in-game rewards. The co-op mode is restricted to two levels per day (one new, one rolling over from the previous day), but it nonetheless represents a welcome opportunity to take a break from shooting your friends in the face and to band together to achieve a more structured goal.

For all of the customisation options available in Warface, it offers a disappointing dearth of choices for the ethnicity of your soldier avatar, though this could and should be easily rectified. A more thoughtful introduction to its three different in-game currencies would also be beneficial. However, it’s encouraging to discover that the best items and weapons can only be obtained in exchange for the currency that has to be earned through play and cannot be bought.

The best items and weapons can only be obtained in exchange for the currency that has to be earned through play.

Underpinning the introduction of Warface is Crytek’s social platform, Gface. Crytek differentiates the function of Gface from that of superficially similar platforms like Steam and Origin by highlighting that it is not a distribution platform with social features added on, but has instead been built around the notion of free-to-play’s inherent inclusivity. The browser-based Gface acts as a library instead of a store, where every player can access all of the games, facilitating friends playing together.

Gface will initially focus on Crytek’s own free-to-play offerings but it’s the developer’s intention to expand to include third-party titles in the future. Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli hints that not all of these titles will necessarily be the multiplayer free-for-all that is often associated with free-to-play, though his opening gambit on the subject is initially alarming.

“I think the notion of a single-player experience has to go away,” Yerli confidently declares. “However, I’m not saying that there will be no single-player experiences ... it could be it’s called Connected Single-Player or Online Single-Player instead.”

“Online and social can reignite single-player in a new type of context and provide benefits that will make you want to be a part of a connected story-mode rather than a disconnected story-mode. Sure, if the technology forces you to play a traditional single-player game online, that doesn’t make sense but if it’s offering actual benefits to be online then you want to be part of it.”

I think the notion of a single-player experience has to go away.

Yerli is unwilling to talk specifics, but you don’t have to look far to understand the kind of games to which he’s referring: From Software’s seminal Demon’s and Dark Souls, Thatgamecompay’s Journey and almost every racing title under the sun already offer connected single-player experiences. Even stalwart single-player titles like Atlus’ Catherine and Telltale’s phenomenally successful The Walking Dead pepper their experiences with simple but connected updates about the decisions other players are making.

Imagine, then, if the world of The Walking Dead was a persistent one, shaped by the decisions of players in it. Your already weighty choices could be shown to affect not just AI ciphers but real-life survivors of the digital zombie apocalypse. Could a game like The Walking Dead work within Crytek’s vision of a free-to-play future?

“I would actually say that The Walking Dead on Gface would make more money than anywhere else,” Yerli proclaims. “The Walking Dead would be a primary example of how, with some innovation, it would work even better with the free-to-play concept.”

Unfortunately, Yerli won’t be drawn on specifics of how this might be made to work, preferring to talk more about potential future concepts than make outright promises. Clearly, though, Crytek strongly believes the free-to-play model can be a viable and innovative alternative to the industry’s current structure across all genres and experiences.

Back in the here and now, Warface represents the company’s promise to introduce a quality free-to-play multiplayer experience, while Gface is to offer groups of friends an accessible and consistent way to play together. If Crytek applies the same commitment to producing viable, engaging connected single-player experiences, it may yet change the entire face of the free-to-play landscape.

Stace Harman is a freelance contributor to IGN and is convinced that zombies will one day inherent the Earth. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN.


Source : ign[dot]com

Hideo Kojima Talks PS4: More Excited By New Kinds of Interaction than Hardware

Hideo Kojima gave his initial thoughts on Sony’s PlayStation 4 in an interview with IGN.

Although he didn’t watch Sony’s press conference, he was interested in the direction the PS4 is taking. And that enthusiasm stemmed less from the hardware specs and more from the increased functionality of the new console.

“I can say that with every new generation of hardware the capabilities of the hardware increases. But up to this point it’s always been very much of a vertical evolution – of course, you expect things like visual fidelity, audio, frame rate. New features such as 3D capability, etc, etc. These things are a given. They come with the new hardware.

“But what I’m really more interested in is other ways of expanding into the next generation – a more horizontal expansion, where you’re going to be doing things online, more of a social aspect. People will be able to interact with the game through various devices, through various media – such as tablets, smart phones, etc.”

And these kind of gameplay experiences could find there way into future Metal Gear titles. “I think it’s this new type of interaction – this new ways of interacting with the game world – that’s more exciting to me. And I want to bring the Metal Gear franchise into that new wider world of interaction.”

Can we expect this kind of functionality in Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, which must surely be a PlayStation 4 title?

Daniel is IGN's UK Staff Writer. You can be part of the world's worst cult by following him on IGN and Twitter.


Source : ign[dot]com

Gaming PCs: To Build or Buy?

Becoming a PC gamer has always been an investment. You’re not just throwing down a few hundred on a console that's potentially destined to sit under the television accumulating dust as soon as the cycle turns, and something new can always come along and replace it. There aren’t generations of PCs, where each one is a clear iteration and improvement on the last, giving you all the information you could ever need on when to upgrade, and how. Instead, you have to educate yourself, weigh up the pros and cons of this component over that component, and figure out whether you want to risk overclocking your CPU and squeezing every drop of power out of it or just leave things as they are, knowing that you’re not unlocking the full potential of what you’ve purchased.

But if you want to get yourself a gaming PC, you've got a choice in front of you: should you build one yourself, or buy one ready-made? There are pros and cons to each - so we thought we'd lay them out.

For the purpose of this comparison, we're using the Ultima Tyrannosaur from Overclockers, and the PC I built myself three months ago, which I'm going to affectionately call Edward.

COST

This will be the first concern for anyone looking to make this kind of investment: cost. Doing things yourself cuts out the middleman, and means you could save on assembly and testing - so if you’re confident and competent, you can usually save more than a few hundred just by taking the components into your own hands But it's not always as clear-cut as that.

The Ultima 9550i Tyrannosaur MKIII is a truly powerful PC that has the same audio footprint as a clear summer’s day, and about the same temperature, too. It’s surrounded with massive fans, half of them visible through the case, and with four graphics cards working in tandem it barely breaks a sweat, even running the most graphically demanding games like The Witcher 2 or Planetside 2.

Pick it up from Overclockers and, with the specifications we’ve got here, it’ll cost you £2030.60. If you opt to build it for yourself, using all the same components, and it’ll come to £2054.91, which will actually cost you money. And for all that trouble you’re also costing yourself a two-year warranty.

It’s hard not to find a company offering something very close to what you want with no significant extra cost.

You’re never going to be able to go toe-to-toe with the specifications that the retailers themselves are providing, as that’s exactly where they’re making their savings. Instead, building yourself a PC offers the flexibility and the freedom to customise the build in any way you want. Building with a purpose in mind could well save you money, especially if you make small compromises on performance. The PC I built myself three months ago is about 65% as powerful as the Tyrannosaur, with the same RAM, half the GPU and a slightly weaker CPU - but it's also £1000 less expensive, and still pushes modern games about as far as they will go.

Even so, though, it’s hard not to find a company offering something very close to what you want with no significant extra cost to yourself. Even with something pre-built like the Tyrannosaur, there are multiple ways you can customise the PC, ranging from which hard drives to slot into place to how many graphics cards you’d like. There are retailers out there like PC Specialist who offer even more extreme customisable options. When they’re even offering to test the thing once it's built and ensure that everything works properly.

Where building your own PC, would once have been the vastly cheaper option, then, nowadays it might not save you as much money as you'd think - especially at the upper end of the power spectrum.

POWER

There's one significant question here: do you really need that much power? Throughout the late 90s and early 00s PC gaming was all about building a ridiculous Rig, but do developers really develop for high-end PCs to the extend that they used to?

This protracted console cycle has lead to is a stagnation in hardware requirements.

But what this protracted console cycle has lead to is a stagnation in hardware requirements. Free to play games like League of Legends, by necessity, have low system requirements so that they can reach the widest audience possible. Many of the most interesting independent games on the platform, meanwhile, don't need anything like a top-end PC to run. Even a game like the newly released Crysis 3 doesn’t hold a candle to the relative oomph that the original Crysis needed to run - it's designed for consoles, too. Back then you had to be beyond an enthusiast to run it at full settings on release, but Crysis 3 is positively tame in comparison, and will run beautifully on a much less powerful machine.

Regardless, it still pushes current hardware. My self-built PC can just about handle the game at the highest settings, but the framerate suffers. It’s here that the difference in power between it and the Tyrannosaur really comes into focus, and where the assurance of pre-built pulls ahead of the savings of DIY. Often the retailers that sell these machines will build them for specific benchmarks, such as running a game like Crysis or Battlefield 3. But do the games you want to play on PC really need the highest-end power? It's worth considering.

DIFFICULTY

One of the scariest thoughts when you commit to buying yourself a brand new gaming PC is the idea of spending hours drowning in a sea of nuts and bolts and expensive-looking components whilst developing a mortal fear of static electricity. But to have a company put it together for you has always been the expensive option – thousands sucked from your bank account just to avoid yourself the agony of trying to thread CPU pins into their sockets without bending a single on, instantly costing yourself a few hundred.

Again, though, that’s 20th century thinking. Maybe even early 2000s. But in the past few years things have changed, and that information has been taking a while to filter down into the public consciousness.

Components aren’t nearly as scary and ambiguous as they were in the past.

Firstly, components aren’t nearly as scary and ambiguous as they were in the past. Slotting a graphics card into your motherboard, as sexy and complicated as that might sound, has become almost as simple as inserting a USB stick into your television. There are perhaps a couple more screws involved, but as long as you know which hole goes where, you’ll be free from the fear of breaking anything. There are even clicks and locks in place, to let you know when to stop pushing. Even processors, typically the most daunting prospect of all, pretty much always come bundled on a motherboard now, so you can deftly sidestep such worries.

There’s still a slight apprehension in the back of your mind, and understandably so; if you purchase all the components individually, you’re going to be clear of the safety net of a warranty, meaning if you make any irrevocable mistake during the construction of your PC, you’re on your own, but that’s certainly less of a danger now than it was a decade ago.

In summary, then, don't be scared of building your own. It's pretty easy these days.

WHICH LOOKS BETTER?

At first glance, the Tyrannosaur has more in common with a Storm Trooper than the beige towers that litter office blocks and home studies. Harsh angles, black detailing and an overall white glean make the case more of a statement than anything. But it’s hiding an efficiency of architecture that means, despite a huge array of fans and cooling vents, it powers on while barely making a whisper. It’s the advantage of having a build so finely tuned by someone who knows more than you.

But with PCs being so modular these days, as long as the components are compatible, the case will do the rest of the work for you. It’s another cost, and another consideration, but invest a little more in some housing and you can achieve the same whisper of an audio footprint as the best companies achieve. They are, after all, using the same tools as you.

In terms of aesthetics, it’s entirely about how much you want to spend, and where your taste lies. Expensive cases are also often the most efficient in terms of cooling and ventilation, but if you’re just going to hide it under your desk, you don’t need it to be a conversation piece.

WHICH LASTS LONGER?

One of the clear cut advantages of having a company put your PC together is the warranty. Even if they haven’t built it well, you’re going to be covered if parts fail, or something hasn’t been put together right. As long as you’re smart about placing it in your room somewhere it’s not going to be choked with dust or heat, there’s no reason not to expect a long lifetime from your parts.

More importantly, with 2013 being the year we see a new generation of consoles out of Sony and Microsoft, it might seem like now would be an insane time to invest in a new PC. But if anything now is the best time to lay down some cash. With the announcement of the PS4, it’s clear that, while a big jump up from the power of the previous generation, we’re not going to see the consoles get ahead of even the current retail PCs, let alone stay ahead. With a keen eye and well under a thousand pounds you should be able to build a PC that easily matches anything the console manufacturers will put out, and that will last a good few years.

The question then becomes whether you should try and build it yourself, or let someone else do all the hard graft for you. Ten years ago, or even five, I’d have opted for the former, writing off any dangers and apprehension about dealing with components yourself just by quoting the amount of money you’d save. Today, though, things are different. There are enough options in enough places that you’ll hardly be saving yourself any money, and no matter how much knowledge you might gain by putting things together yourself, the peace of mind you’ll get from knowing your new PC is assembled with skill and care is probably worth it.

In the guts in the behemoth beside me, the wires are wrapped in cloth netting. The hardrives are stacked in a neat tower, and everything is constructed with an efficiency of space that’s almost preternatural. The question instead becomes whether you think you can emulate the same level of polish and finish that the professionals can offer.

What it’s lacking is a sense of personal investment, and that’s really why so many people get nostalgic about putting a PC together. It’s like constructing a kit car, and sauntering around town in it. You know how it works, have learned all the nuances of its personality, and understand that maybe sometimes you need to restart it a second time just to get the thing to boot. Or that the way you partitioned the E drive was kind of sloppy, and causes you no end of grief. But that’s a result of your actions, and it gives this machine you spend so much time with a character. Getting a PC to order will get you to where you want to go, but sometimes it’s about the journey, not the destination.

Phill Cameron is a freelance journalist who leaves his PC fan light on every night to scare away the monsters. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN.


Source : ign[dot]com

EVE Online Passes Half a Million Subscribers

CCP Games has announced that for the first time in its ten-year history, internet-spaceship simulator/grand sci-fi alternate universe EVE Online has passes 500,000 paying subscribers.

EVE is the only MMO to have grown year-on-year since its launch, but that's not the only reason this game is unique. EVE is famous for its political dramas, huge-scale battles between warring factions and real-world crossover consequences. EVE Onilne: Retribution, the game's 18th free expansion, was released in December. PS3 free-to-play shooter DUST 514, part of the EVE universe, is still in open beta.

CCP's CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson had this to say: “Ten years after release, it is incredibly inspiring that, through a lot of hard work from our EVE Online team, we are crossing the half-million subscriber mark. For me, this is a true testament that EVE can live on forever, as long as we do right by her. We have not come to this point alone; millions of players have helped push us to this milestone. I now know in my mind what I previously only believed in my heart: that EVE will outlive us all.”

EVE Fanfest takes place every year in Iceland, bringing players of the game together in the real world to see where it's headed. We headed there last year, and came away with a significant realisation: internet spaceships are serious business.

Keza MacDonald is in charge of IGN's games coverage in the UK. You can follow her on IGN and Twitter.


Source : ign[dot]com

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Confirmed

Ubisoft has confirmed that the next entry in the Assassin’s Creed series will be called Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. The news comes in the form of the game’s first official art, which you can check out below:

Today’s announcement confirms the title initially revealed by leaked marketing material this week and also expands upon Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot’s comments earlier this month that the newest Assassin’s Creed game features a new hero and time period.

While no concrete details are given in the art, it’s immediately clear that the game will involve pirates, just as rumors suggested a few weeks ago.

Want to know more about Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag? IGN will be live streaming the game's official announcement -- including the first details -- on Monday, March 4th at 9:00 a.m. Pacific (5pm GMT). Our pre-show starts at 8:30, so tune in early and find out all the news as it's revealed.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following @garfep on Twitter or garfep on IGN.


Source : ign[dot]com

Ricky Gervais Resurrects The Office's David Brent

Chilled-out entertainer David Brent will return to British television screens in a couple of weeks for Comic Relief, the BBC's long-running charity fundraiser.

It's testament to Brent's character really, considering it was on Comic Relief day – 'the day of laughter' – that he was made redundant from Wernham Hogg, dressed as a comedy ostrich.

Although the award-winning BBC 2 comedy came to end in 2003, Brent has returned a handful of times, including an appearance in the US version of The Office. Excited? To get you in the mood, check out what Brent has been up to:

Comic Relief has been running since 1985, and raised an astonishing £108,436,277 back in 2011.

Daniel is IGN's UK Staff Writer. You can be part of the world's worst cult by following him on IGN and Twitter.


Source : ign[dot]com

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Comic Book Reviews for 2/27/13

Despite the fact that DC Comics decided to spoil their biggest comic book release of the week, we're happy to report that the issue is quality even if you know what happens going in. Over at Marvel, they debuted their brand new Guardians of the Galaxy ongoing series to glorious results.

Across the board, there were some rock solid comic books this week. From Batman to the Rocketeer to the TMNT to Hawkeye, there's a ton to love this week.

Join in on the IGN Community reviews!

DC COMICS

All-Star Western #17

Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti | Art by Moritat

"The longer All-Star Western goes on, the harder it is to understand why Jonah Hex doesn't pack up, leave Gotham, and return to the lawless frontier from whence he came. This new arc that kicks off in issue #17 doesn't even feel much like a Hex story, as both he and Arkham are little more than quiet supporting players. However, Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray find success in exploring the colorful history of Gotham and the ancestors of contemporary Gothamites." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.3

Aquaman #17

Written by Geoff Johns | Art by Paul Pelletier

"No, this huge status quo shift was not written by serial status quo shifter Joshua Hale Fialkov. It was dreamed up and executed by Geoff Johns, who has made Aquaman into everything the character never wanted to be: King of Atlantis. This epilogue to Throne of Atlantis satisfies all questions concerning the emotional climate of how humans, Atlanteans, and Aquaman himself feel about this development, and it teases a new bad guy to boot." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

9.0

Batman: The Dark Knight #17

Written by Gregg Hurwitz | Art by Ethan Van Sciver

"There is a bit of an identity crisis going on in this issue. Batman: The Dark Knight can't decide what kind of book it wants to be. There are funny moments, graphically violent moments, and moments of extremely bizarre logic. None of these moments gel or flow; this isn't one Batman book, it's a stew comprised of several different tones, tastes, and flavors. Keeping with the stew metaphor, it also is kinda bland and needs some extra spice. Maybe some carrots or peppers." -Ben

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.5

Batman Incorporated #8

Written by Grant Morrison | Art by Chris Burnham

"DC really went out of their way to make sure everyone knew the outcome to Batman Incorporated #8 before actually reading the issue. There was the New York Post article and the spoilery banner that has been plastered on the official DC website. Even this week's installment of Channel 52 gives away the big twist (just one more reason to loathe that 'bonus' feature). But in defiance of DC's obnoxious desire to spoil its loyal readers for the sake of potential new fans, I'm going to do my best to talk around the spoilers in this review. Admittedly, just hearing discussion about there being spoilers in the first place will probably clue most readers into what transpires in issue #8. " -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

9.1

Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #4

Written by J. Michael Straczynski | Art by Adam Hughes

"I know. You’re shocked. Before Watchmen is the event that everyone loves to hate. Can it be that J. Michael Straczynski and Adam Hughes have delivered a story worthy of the original series? I say that they have. If you give this book even half a chance, I’m confident that you will as well." -Poet

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

9.8

The Flash #17

Written by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato | Art by Francis Manapul

"With the five-part Gorilla Grodd story arc coming to its overdue close, The Flash has the opportunity to regain some of the momentum it's lost over the past few issues. While the quality of the title’s visuals has remained a cut above most of DC’s offerings, the same could not be said for the plodding narrative. The fastest man alive has been burdened with a lackluster plot in recent issues but with The Flash #17, Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato say goodbye and good riddance to those damn dirty apes slowing him down." -Melissa

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Injustice: Gods Among Us #2

Written by Tom Taylor | Art by Various

"Injustice is more entertaining than any comic book prequel to a fighting game has a right to be. This second print issue gathers the next three chapters of the digital comic. The focus is more disjointed than in the first issue, but it succeeds in shedding more light on this grim and bloody version of the DC Universe." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.3

I, Vampire #17

Written by Josh Fialkov | Art by Fernando Blanco

"I, Vampire is not afraid to punch its readers in the face, and writer Joshua Hale Fialkov uses issue #17 to do just that – repeatedly. The reason it works (and the reason we enjoy coming back for more) is that Fialkov does such a great job of creating a sense of realism and attachment to his characters before dropping the hammer." -Poet

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.1

Justice League Dark #17

Written by Jeff Lemire & Ray Fawkes | Art by Mikel Janin

"The Death of Magic storyline came in with a head of steam, imposing some drastic changes on the JLD team. However, since that point, the tale has begun to drag on a bit. Justice League Dark #17 reiterates many details that were covered in the previous two issues, with only a minor revelation and an underwhelming plot development to power it." -Poet

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.9

Red Lanterns #17

Written by Peter Milligan | Art by Miguel Sepulveda

"Red Lanterns continues to exist in its own little corner of the Lantern universe by breaking the mold that has thus far been set by Wrath of the First Lantern. In this it manages a few interesting developments, and while those are delivered in the same tedious manner as always, they amount to a chapter that isn’t all that bad. Since this title will have a new creative team at the end of this story arc, it’s nice that this run looks to be ending on a more solid note." -Joshua

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Final Score:

6.6

Talon #5

Written by James Tynion IV | Art by Guillem March

"Having narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Butcher last month, Calvin Rose is finally afforded a little rest and relaxation in Talon #5. This chapter offers a nice change of pace for the series, allowing James Tynion IV to slow down and examine his core cast more closely. Much of his efforts are devoted to fleshing out Casey and her daughter, Sarah. These two look to be more permanent additions to the cast than the rest of Casey's black ops team was in the previous arc. It's fun to see Calvin and the normally grim Sebastian enjoy the domestic life for a change. And as is usually the case in these types of stories, all this lighthearted material builds its own sort of tension as readers wonder just when and how badly the peace will be interrupted." -Jesse

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Final Score:

8.2

Teen Titans #17

Written by Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza | Art by Eddy Barrows

"Since the new Teen Titans came together all those months ago, Red Robin was by far the title’s most compelling character and writer Scott Lobdell has so far done an excellent job in fleshing out the young man beneath the mask. Indeed, his understanding into what makes the character tick is what made the previous issue so strong despite its flaws, which is why it's curious that Lobdell and Nicieza ditch something proven to work for a plot twist that effectively removes the one thing holding this title together." -Melissa

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Final Score:

5.1


Source : ign[dot]com