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‘I Know It’s Not What Everybody Else Is Doing’ — Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Will Keep on Putting PlayStation and Nintendo Logos in Microsoft Showcases

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, IGN

Microsoft, you might have noticed, now flags that its games are coming to rival platforms during Xbox showcases. It’s something we’ve seen in recent months as part of the company’s multiplatform video game push. For example, the recent Xbox Developer Direct included PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox Series X and S, PC, and Game Pass at the end of the Ninja Gaiden 4, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 segments.

As recently as Microsoft’s June 2024 showcase, that wasn’t the case. There, Doom: The Dark Ages was announced for PlayStation 5 immediately after the Xbox event, although subsequent individual trailers did feature the PS5 logo. BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard was down as coming to Xbox Series X and S and PC, skipping the PS5 version. It was the same for Diablo 4 expansion Vessel of Hatred and Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Sony and Nintendo continue to take a different approach. The recent State of Play showcase did not mention Xbox at all, even though it included multiplatform games. For example, the Monster Hunter Wilds segment finished with the release date and PS5 logo only. No word of PC, Steam, or Xbox. Sega’s Shinobi: Art of Vengeance was shown as coming to PS4 and PS5, even though it’s also coming to PC via Steam, Xbox Series X and S, and Nintendo Switch. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Onimusha: Way of the Sword were in the same boat.

Sony, clearly, is sticking to what’s worked for its gaming business for decades now, reinforcing its consoles as PlayStation’s point of interest. Microsoft’s well-documented change in strategy, however, has come with a corresponding change in marketing.

In an interview with XboxEra, Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer was asked directly about Xbox showcases featuring the PlayStation logo now.

Here’s the question:

Is this just hey, this is the band-aid off guys, there’s still going to be different decisions but this is the new era. Get used to the way things are going to be. How would you frame that to the community?

And here’s Spencer’s answer:

I think it’s just being honest and transparent about where the games are showing, and we actually even had this discussion last year for the June showcase, and by the time we kind of made our decision, we couldn’t get all of the assets done and it felt weird to have some of them in and some of them out.

But I just want to be transparent with people — for shipping on Nintendo Switch, we’re gonna put that. For shipping on PlayStation, on Steam… People should know the storefronts where they can get our games, but I want people to be able to experience our Xbox community in our games and everything we have to offer, on every screen we can.

And obviously not every screen is equal. Yeah, like there’s certain things we can’t do on the other closed platforms that we can do on open platforms, cloud — it’s different. But games should be the thing that we’re focused on. And the strategy that we have allows us to do big games, while also supporting our native platform from hardware to the platform and services that we have and that’s going to be our approach.

And I know it’s not what everybody else is doing, but I just believe games should be the thing that’s at the forefront. Maybe it’s because of how I’ve grown up in this industry. I came from building games. But I think the games are the things that I see growing in their strength in what we’re doing and it’s because more people can play. So yeah, I’m just trying to be open and transparent with people.

With this in mind, expect to see more logos for PS5 and, in the future, Nintendo Switch 2 in Xbox showcases. So, when Microsoft hosts its inevitable June 2025 showcase, perhaps then we’ll see the likes of Gears of War: E-Day, Fable, Perfect Dark, State of Decay 3, and of course this year’s Call of Duty with a PS5 logo alongside Xbox.

Just don’t expect Nintendo and Sony to follow suit.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Ubisoft Announces Siege X, the ‘Biggest Transformation’ in Rainbow Six Siege History

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, IGN

Ubisoft has teased a significant evolution of Rainbow Six Siege, promising to unveil what it calls Siege X in March.

Siege X is described as “the biggest transformation in the game’s history, including new tactical gameplay, graphical and audio upgrades, and more.” This is not Rainbow Six Siege 2, rather a significant change for Rainbow Six Siege designed to set the competitive multiplayer game for its second decade of live service.

Rainbow Six Siege struggled when it launched in December 2015, but Ubisoft’s work to improve the game is seen as one of the most dramatic turnarounds in video game history alongside Final Fantasy 14 and No Man’s Sky.

In the last decade, Rainbow Six Siege has proven a reliable money-spinner even when Ubisoft’s other attempts at live service have fallen by the wayside. In recent years, when Ubisoft has found the going particularly tough, Rainbow Six Siege has helped prop up those financial reports. Now, there’s even more pressure on Siege X, given Ubisoft’s high-profile troubles.

10 years is a long time for any video game to remain relevant and financially stable, and so it makes sense that Ubisoft would want to refresh Rainbow Six Siege with a headline-grabbing evolution. Ubisoft will announce more on March 13 at the Siege X Showcase.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

The White Lotus Season 3 Premiere: Who That ‘Bald Guy’ Is and Why You Should Hate Him

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, IGN

Full spoilers follow for The White Lotus through Season 3, Episode 1.

While the new season of Mike White’s hit HBO show The White Lotus has of course given us a bunch of new characters to welcome, inspect, and judge, it also has seen the return of not one but two faces from past seasons. We already knew that Natasha Rothwell’s Belinda Lindsey would be back from Season 1, but in a surprise moment, Jon Gries’ Greg Hunt, also from Season 1 as well as Season 2, also appeared in this first episode. And you know we all hate Greg…

Let’s brush up on our Greg history, why he’s public enemy number one for White Lotus fans, and what his reappearance in the premiere might mean for the new season.

Greg, Belinda, and Tanya in The White Lotus Season 1

If The White Lotus’ ensemble casts have had a “star” player in the past, that honor would go to Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya McQuoid, the hilarious but sort of lost soul of the first two seasons. As with many of the clients of The White Lotus resort, Tanya was very wealthy but also troubled. When we first met her in Season 1, she was visiting the Maui White Lotus with the intention of spreading her recently passed mother’s ashes. Spa manager Belinda helped Tanya through her grief and anxiety, so much so that Tanya proposed financing Belinda so that she could start her own spa.

Tanya also met Greg here, and a romantic relationship began between the two. But Tanya, suffering from constant anxiety and self-doubt, was trepidatious about it. As she said to Belinda, “I just know I’m gonna get hurt.” Tanya tried to end the relationship with Greg as a result, but his apparent good cheer and compassion for Tanya assuaged her fears. (We’d eventually learn that she should’ve trusted her instincts.)

Eventually, Greg revealed to Tanya that he was suffering from a serious illness and that she shouldn’t be surprised if he “dropped dead” at any time. Deciding to leave with Greg for Honolulu, and then possibly move to Aspen to be closer to him, Tanya also opted to not go into business with Belinda. Belinda was crushed by this decision but perhaps not surprised in the end.

The Death of Tanya in Season 2

Tanya returned for Season 2, as did Greg for the first few episodes, when the pair vacationed at the White Lotus in Sicily. Now married, with Greg’s health issues resolved thanks to Tanya’s wealth, things have changed. The type of toxic relationship of her past that she worried about in Season 1 seems to have taken root with Greg, and his previously amorous attitude to Tanya has dissipated – when she prompts him for some action in the first episode of the season, he announces that he has to go wash up first because he has “swamp crotch,” for example. Romantico!

Later, Tanya hears Greg on the phone in the bathroom whispering. He claims it’s just a work thing, and she brushes it off. But then in Episode 2, when she wakes up in bed, she finds Greg just blankly staring into the middle distance. It’s an odd moment, but it passes as he claims he’s fine. At breakfast, Tanya describes her idea of a perfect day in Italy, and Greg, acting nicer than he did the day before, agrees to the plan. “It’s your day to shine,” he says. But that night he tells Tanya that he has to leave their vacation early for work and return to the U.S. This leads to an argument where he reminds her that she made him sign a prenup and that he can’t know that she won’t “discard” him at some point the way she has many of her friends and employees over the years. The episode ends with Greg sneaking a phone call where he tells the person on the other end of the line that he loves them and that Tanya is “clueless as usual.”

Greg apparently had plotted with Quentin to kill Tanya and make it look like an accident so that he could inherit her fortune.

After Greg leaves, Tanya is befriended by a group of men who she eventually begins to suspect are out to kill her. By the Season 2 finale, Tanya’s suspicions are proven correct, but she takes out her would-be assassins with a gun in a glorious moment of haphazard triumph, only to then awkwardly die herself when attempting to get off the yacht where the final showdown took place.

The thing is, before she died, Tanya saw a picture of a young Greg with Quentin (Tom Hollander), one of the men who was trying to kill her. Greg apparently had plotted with Quentin to kill Tanya and make it look like an accident so that he could inherit her fortune. Whether or not the authorities ever figured out this plan is unknown by the end of Season 2.

What Is Greg Doing in Season 3?

Good question! We don’t know if he actually did inherit Tanya’s money or not. It’s possible that the police never connected him to the plot which resulted in multiple deaths, including Tanya’s. What we do know is that he is now hanging around the Thai White Lotus where Season 3 is set, and he apparently has a younger ex-model for a girlfriend now.

Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), who is the girlfriend of Walton Goggins’ Rick Hatchett, meets Greg’s girlfriend at the bar, and they bond over their boyfriends who are both older, bald or balding, and generally cranky. Greg also apparently now lives somewhere near the Thai White Lotus.

But does he really? Is it possible this is another scam of Greg’s, and that Chelsea is being sucked into something she doesn’t understand? Will Belinda, back for Season 3, manage to find justice for Tanya by somehow outing Greg as being responsible for her death? There’s no reason for us to think she suspects Greg of any wrongdoing (and she hasn’t even encountered him yet at the resort), plus she doesn’t necessarily owe Tanya anything after the way she was treated. But Belinda is also one of the “good” figures in The White Lotus that we are always rooting for, and it seems like if anyone can right the wrongs that were done to Tanya, it’s her. Of course, ultimately, one of the big questions The White Lotus is always asking is whether or not good people ever really win in the end. Belinda, we’re counting on you.

‘Holy $&#%, He’s Done It Again!’— The White Lotus Season 3 Cast Breaks Down the Opening Shoot-out and the Return of THAT Character

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, IGN

Spoilers follow for The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 1, “Same Spirits, New Forms.”

Season 3 of The White Lotus starts with a bang. Well, several bangs. While the show is famous for dropping a dead body into the opening scene of each season, the initial moments of the newest iteration raise the stakes considerably.

The cast of the HBO show sat down with IGN as part of IGN Fan Fest 2025 to break down the opening scene and react to the return of a much-despised character.

‘Something Has Shifted in the World of The White Lotus.’

Instead of a corpse being loaded onto a plane (Season 1) or floating in the ocean (Season 2), the premiere of the Thailand-set new season sees a full-fledged shoot-out culminating with at least one lifeless body face-down in the water. It was a moment both true to previous seasons of the Mike White-helmed series and an escalation of what fans have come to expect.

Michelle Monaghan (Jaclyn): Like, holy shit, he’s done it again! I mean, honestly, this season, it is bigger. It is more action-packed. And you see that from page one. You are delving into the theme of Season 3, which is life and death, spirituality, and how light and dark coexist. And it really happens in that opening scene and it gets bigger and bolder and deeper as the season continues to roll out.

Aimee Lou Wood (Chelsea): I was so blown away. I just thought it was such a genius idea to have Belinda’s (Natasha Rothwell’s) son (Zion, played by Nicholas Duvernay) open it because Belinda, she’s the heart of Season 1, and she’s who everyone wants to win. I thought it was so clever because it instantly makes it more melancholic and human and emotional. It’s a shoot-out, but it also feels more human than ever, like the most human whilst also being the most big.

Carrie Coon (Laurie): It was clear that the storytelling had leveled up. It opened slightly differently in the first two seasons. You just see the bodies being put into an airplane or a casket. This was an action sequence with a scene and gunfire, and I was like, “Whoa. Something has shifted in the world of The White Lotus.”

Parker Posey (Victoria) It’s so much fun to read writing that’s really inhabited. So it was like, I got the coffee and the tea out (and) I just sat down and I just barreled through it. By the last episode, I was so adrenalized. It was like I was so taken with the story that I forgot who died. I didn’t remember until I went to set.

Sarah Catherine Hook (Piper): (White) went the action-packed route because (in) the first season it was just a conversation, and then the second season was a dead body floating in the water. But (with the shoot-out) immediately in my head I was like, “Okay, this is already going to be an action-packed season.”

Patrick Schwarzenegger (Saxon): Mike continues to push the envelope of what he wants to do with each and every season. Obviously this season is completely different than the past, and that involves the opening sequence. I thought that it was amazing how he showcased the suspense of it all. And obviously with the gunshots, I mean, it’s very relevant to something that would happen today. But I thought it was great and I think that there’s more than a body potentially.

Jason Isaacs (Tim): He’s a master storyteller. It reminds me of Dickens. Dickens used to be serialized in the newspaper, so he knew that the first chapter and then maybe the first paragraph needs to throw a hook right into the audience’s imagination. And that’s what he’s done. He does it brilliantly and then he reels you in really slowly. And then when the fish gets close, you’re trapped.

Watson Goggins (Rick): Reading the first few pages, you notice the difference. There’s not a body, there’s a shoot-out. I think I stopped after the first three pages and thought, “I can’t believe I’m reading the first episode of Season 3 of The White Lotus.” It’s like reading a Tarantino script. You realize that you’re in rarefied air.

‘I Was Hoping the Dead Body Would Be Me.’

Each season of The White Lotus presents a central mystery: Who died? The cast of Season 3 was both excited and fearful that the body we see in the premiere might be their own.

Leslie Bibb (Kate): If you’re the dead body, you’re going to have a great story. If you’re not the dead body, you know that maybe there’s a possibility, if Mike likes you and he feels moved, you could come back for a second season. We were reading some (fan questions and) Jason’s like, “Why is everybody assuming my character’s being killed?” And I said, “It’s a compliment. You’re like Drew Barrymore in Scream.”

Jason Isaacs: I figured that whoever it was wasn’t going to die until the end. So if it was me, that would be fine. I just wanted to go on Mike’s ride. It was such a joy.

Sam Nivola (Lochlan): I feel like I was sort of hoping the dead body would be me, and maybe it is! You don’t know. But to be honest, I was like, “I don’t really care.” I’m going to read all these scripts in one sitting and I will find out in a few hours. I was just along for the ride.

Aimee Lou Wood: I think everyone goes through the script. You’re like, “Oh my God!”

Michelle Monaghan: You don’t know. And as soon as we got cast, we received all eight episodes in our inbox. And the whole time, I’m just thinking, “This is insane.” And you have no idea which direction it’s going.

Walton Goggins: Of course, that is a consideration, right? No one knows if it’s going to be them. When you set out to read these scripts, it’s like playing a game of Clue: what’s the instrument and how does it happen and is it happening to me?

‘He’s a Character You Love to Hate.’

A huge surprise from Episode 1 is the return of Greg (John Gries), who first appeared in Season 1 and arranged for the murder of his wife and fan-favorite character Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) in Season 2. The cast talked about his surprising return.

Leslie Bibb: It’s so exciting. In the script it just says “a bald man walks down.” That’s when he sees Sarah Catherine. And I remember being like, “I wonder why Mike’s talking about that.” And then it came back and I was like, “Oh my God, this guy’s in all three (seasons).”

Carrie Coon: (He’s) the luckiest actor. He wasn’t necessarily going to be the throughline I remember, but it ties into Belinda. That was actually the part about the Greg storyline that was most exciting to me was to see what happens to Belinda.

Sarah Catherine Hook: I was like, “Oh my God, (White is) so smart to keep (the story of) Tanya alive.” I feel like she is in this season with us. And I think that fans of the show, including myself, had some worries about the face of The White Lotus being killed off. So I was so relieved and so happy and just so impressed that he was able to pull it off so beautifully. And I think that’s going to be a very, very enticing story for the audience.

Sam Nivola: I was like, “Why is he here? What is going on?” I was definitely scared. “Is he going to kill Belinda?” I think it’s really smart the way that (White) ties these three seasons together. I think that the way he sort of came up with this thing is like a mathematician. It’s just the perfect amount of connectivity without marrying it to the previous seasons.

Patrick Schwarzenegger: Once I started to read as a fan of the show, I was like, “Okay, that’s a great ending of the pilot.” Something to keep new people interested.

Jason Isaacs: Michael Powell, the great British filmmaker, used to talk about planting bombs. And Mike sets the story out at a perfect pace and you think not much seems to be happening. “Wait a second. That is the guy that killed his wife. That’s not going to end well.” He just knows exactly how to pique your interest just a little bit and pick up the pace.

Michelle Monaghan: He’s a character you love to hate. John is the exact opposite of Greg. It’s crazy to me. He’s the best person, the best person on the planet. (But) that storyline, there’s some unfinished business there that Belinda needs to take care of. And I think that audiences are going to be so excited and so happy that she has a chance at redemption.

Aimee Lou Wood: That full circle is so satisfying.

For more from the cast of The White Lotus Season 3, be sure to catch IGN Fan Fest February 24-28 across IGN platforms.

AU Deals: Monster Discounts Hunted, Up to 85% off AAA RPGs Sale, Kingdom Come II Slashed, and More!

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, IGN

Welcome back to a week stacked with must-have titles at prices more unbeatable than a FromSoftware game modded to be Ultra-Nightmare. As for standout gems, Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes could slash its way into your library/heart at 44% off. Otherwise, Persona 5 Royal will let you live your best (or most rebellious) life, with extra content that wasn’t in the original (read: an entire semester’s worth of gameplay). If those two somehow aren’t for you, start scrolling to get lost in the savings…

This Day in Gaming 🎂

In retro news and with some serious overkill, I’m using a lightsaber to light 19 candles for Star Wars: Empire at War. This bad boy is an all-timer RTS and one of the best Star Wars tie-ins one could get in a sea of ordinary to bad ones. I remember being held in a Force Choke-esque thrall by its dual-layer strategy system: a galactic map for turn-based empire management and real-time battles on both land and in space. It translated into planet conquering, fleet building, and grand-scale warfare unlike any far, far away game at the time.

But mostly, I was tickled by the iconic hero units it offered and cool Easter eggs hidden. For the former, who wouldn’t dig hewing through rebels as an unstoppable Vader, like his horror visage in Rogue One? And I loved making a battle drag on too long to ensure an escaping Millennium Falcon would spawn.

Aussie bdays for notable games

– Star Wars: Empire at War (PC) 2006. Get

– Guitar Hero: Van Halen (PS2/3,Wii,X360) 2010. eBay

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Pure Scores for PlayStation

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Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.

Daily Deals: Rise of the Ronin, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Pikmin 4, and More

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, IGN

The weekend is officially here, and we’ve rounded up the best deals you can find! Discover the best deals for Sunday, February 16, below:

Kirby and the Forgotten Land for $39.99

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is still one of the best Nintendo Switch games. Forgotten Land marks the first full 3D game in the entire series, with a massive amount of new gameplay mechanics and offerings compared to its 2D counterparts. The game also has an amazing soundtrack, which perfectly accompanies the fun and engaging environments. If you’ve yet to play Kirby and the Forgotten Land, pick the game up for a discount this weekend!

Rise of the Ronin for $39.97

Rise of the Ronin is one of the biggest 2024 PlayStation 5 exclusives to release, with the gamecoming from Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo. Set in 1863 Japan, you play as the Ronin and take down those coming from the West. This action epic offers well over 70 hours of content, with an excellent dive into a history somewhat unexplored in modern gaming.

LEGO Roses for $10.79

Who doesn’t need a pair of LEGO Roses in their life? If you’re searching for a late Valentine’s Day gift, this pair of LEGO Roses can be a great option. It’s the perfect gift to build with that special someone.

Preorder Elden Ring: Nightreign at Best Buy, Get $10 Gift Card

Elden Ring Nightreign, a new multiplayer game from FromSoftware, is set to release for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on May 30. You can explore the world and take on bosses with two other friends, making for a unique experience that’s sure to stay engaging. Best Buy has opened pre-orders for Elden Ring Nightreign, and you can score a free $10 Best Buy gift card with any pre-order for a limited time.

Fantasian Neo Dimension for $39.99

Fantasian Neo Dimension is on sale for the first time since launch! Both the PS5 and Switch versions are available for $39.99, and this is one of the best turn-based RPGs you can buy right now. With a story by Hironobu Sakaguchi and music by Nobuo Uematsu, this is one experience any RPG fan does not want to miss.

LEGO Infinity Gauntlet for $51.19

The Infinity Gauntlet is one of the most recognizable items from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and you can take it home in LEGO form at a discount this weekend! This 590 piece set includes a stand to hold up and display the Infinity Gauntlet, with each of the six Infinity Stones on display. Don’t miss out on your chance to save on this LEGO set!

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection for $39.99

The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection has hit a new all-time low at Woot, priced at just $39.99. The first six Final Fantasy games paved the way for the series as we see it today. Many fans still regard both Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy VI as some of the best that Final Fantasy has to offer, with gripping narratives and engaging gameplay. This package includes all six Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, which feature updated graphics, soundtracks, font, and more.

Pikmin 4 for $39.99

This weekend at Best Buy, you can save on Pikmin 4, with copies available for just $39.99. As the latest game in the Pikmin series, Pikmin 4 brings loads of new features for fans, new and old alike, to discover. In our 9/10 review, we stated, “Pikmin 4 adds variety to the series’ traditional gameplay by offering options other than the grab-and-throw formula of the past, and brings an extra helping of top-tier levels after the credits roll.”

LEGO Star Wars Mos ESPA Podrace Set for $54.39

The Mos Espa Podrace scene in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is one of the most iconic in all of Star Wars, and we’ve seen it recreated in multiple LEGO Star Wars games ever since. As part of the 25th Anniversary celebration for The Phantom Menace, LEGO released this diorama set of the Mos Espa Podrace scene. This set includes both Anakin Skywalker’s Podracer and Sebulba’s Podracer.

Apple AirPods 4 for $99.99

Amazon has the Apple AirPods 4 on sale for $99.99 today. These earbuds feature Spatial Audio, up to five hours of listening time per charge, and so much more. Apple AirPods 5 likely won’t be out for a good bit, so now is the perfect time to pick up a pair of new AirPods if your old ones are giving out.

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven for $39.99

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is arguably the best entry point into the SaGa series at this time, and you can score a PS5 copy for $39.99. Acting as a full 3D remake of the 1993 release, this game features English and Japanese voiceovers, rearranged music, retooled gameplay, and more. If you’re still unsure about Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, you can check out the free demo across all platforms!

Splatoon 3 for $39.99

Splatoon 3 is one of the best multiplayer games available on Nintendo Switch, with all kinds of content available across single player and multiplayer modes. It’s no secret that Splatoon is incredibly popular, and this game is no exception. At $39.99, you’ll be challenged to find a better multiplayer game at this price.

Captain America: Brave New World Projected to Beat Estimates With $100 Million Domestic Box Office Over Presidents Day Weekend

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, IGN

Captain America: Brave New World has launched above estimates with a projected $100 million domestic box office haul over the Presidents Day holiday weekend.

Box office revenue tracker Comscore said the latest Marvel Studios movie made an estimated $88.5 million in 4,105 theatres for the three days, with a projected $100 million for four days. Alongside $92.4 million internationally, Captain America: Brave New World is looking at an estimated $192.4 million global weekend.

According to Deadline, Captain America: Brave New World had a production budget of $180 million, and has a break-even point of around $425 million global box office.

To put Captain America: Brave New World’s early days performance into context, it’s secured the fourth-best Presidents Day launch on record, behind three other superhero movies: Black Panther ($242 million); Deadpool ($152 million); and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ($120 million).

Captain America: Brave New World’s opening haul comes amid poor reviews. IGN’s Captain America: Brave New World review returned a 5/10. We said: “Captain America: Brave New World feels neither brave, nor all that new, falling short of strong performances from Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, and Carl Lumbly.”

All eyes are on Captain America: Brave New World to see if it has enough staying power to reverse a negative trend for Marvel Cinematic Universe movies (apart from last year’s hugely successful Deadpool & Wolverine), and build momentum going into Thunderbolts* in May, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Tributes Paid After Death of Half-Life 2 and Dishonored Artist Viktor Antonov Aged 52

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, IGN

Viktor Antonov, visionary art director of games such as Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has died aged 52.

Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw confirmed the news in an automatically deleted Instagram Stories post. “Brilliant and original,” Laidlaw said of Antonov. “Made everything better.”

Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios and current president and creative director of WolfEye Studios, tweeted to say “You were instrumental to the success of Arkane Studios and an inspiration to many of us, also a friend with whom I have many fond memories.”

Antonov was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, and moved to Paris before entering the world of video game development in the mid-90s at Xatrix Entertainment, the Los Angeles-based studio that became Gray Matter Studios. He went on to become one of the chief creatives behind the world of Half-Life 2 for Valve, where he most famously designed Half-Life 2’s iconic City 17.

Later, Antonov worked on the influential Dishonored as visual design director at Arkane Studios, co-creating Dunwall. Outside of video games, Antonov was co-author on animated movies Renaissance and The Prodigies, and worked at an indie production company called Darewise Entertainment.

In a Reddit AMA held eight years ago, Antonov discussed his early career leading into video game development.

I was formed and started my career as a transportation designer. Then I worked in advertisement, but both of those industries were very established and didn’t offer me much choice for creative risk taking. As a designer, I was very lucky to find a brand new industry that could use my skills. At this time, the video game industry did not have clearly define positions and an artist could create entire worlds. So I joined the gaming industry relatively early: my first game was Redneck Rampage, a crazy funny experience in which I was able to create a big part of the art & world, before moving to more “serious” projects.

Antonov based the Orwellian City 17 on his childhood city of Sofia, mixing elements from Belgrade and St. Petersburg. “I wanted to capture this specific atmosphere of Eastern and Northern Europe,” Antonov said.

Most recently, Antonov appeared in Valve’s 20th anniversary documentary for Half-Life 2, where he discussed the inspiration behind his work on the project and its visual design.

Image credit: Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Documentary / Valve.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Can a 110-Year-Old Ex-Assassin Really Run for Congress? We Went to Our Congressman’s Office to Find Out

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, IGN

This post contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World.

After months, if not years, of denying that he was in Captain America: Brave New World, Sebastian Stan does indeed show up in the movie as James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes. But his mere presence, giving a pep talk to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) when he needs it most, isn’t the most surprising part of Bucky’s appearance: it’s that the former Winter Soldier is running for Congress.

Wait, hold up… Can he do that? As Bucky notes in the scene, he’s 110 years old at this point in the MCU. While he doesn’t offer up any details other than he has speech writers and is heading out on the campaign trail, there are a ton of lingering questions. What district is he running in? Can a 110-year-old even run for Congress? What about an ex-brainwashed KGB assassin with a robot arm who actively fought the US government during the Sokovia Accords (aka the events of Captain America: Civil War)?

These aren’t questions we can answer ourselves, so IGN went directly to the source to find out… Specifically the office of Brooklyn Congressman Dan Goldman. While Representative Goldman was busy running the government and representing the 10th district of New York, we were able to hop on the phone with Marvel fan and Senior Advisor to Congressman Goldman, Simone Kanter.

Kanter, luckily, was familiar with the history of Bucky Barnes at least up through Avengers: Endgame, which he called one of his “most enjoyable theater experiences ever.” And he was (end)game to answer some questions about what might be involved in Bucky running for Congress.

First, some basic info here on running for office. As laid out in the Constitution, the rules for running for the House of Representatives are pretty simple. You need to be at least 25 years old, a citizen for seven years, and you need to live in the state in which you are aiming to be elected in at the time of your election.

So how does that impact Bucky? In the MCU Bucky was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, (not coincidentally where Congressman Goldman is based). And while he wouldn’t have to run in Brooklyn, Kanter thought it might be to his advantage. “If I were to give him political advice, I would advise that the place you have the strongest roots to are where you should run, as both a moral and necessary imperative,” Kanter said. “So I would say that if Bucky feels most at home in Brooklyn, that’s definitely where he should run.”

I can’t imagine a factor more enticing to want to vote for a member of Congress than a robot arm.

That said, given we’ve seen Bucky in Washington, D.C. with Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) in the trailer for Thunderbolts, it’s possible he could be based there now. “Maybe he wants to run in the DMV area,” Kanter continued, calling out the colloquial name for the Washington Metropolitan Area. “He’s hanging out in Arlington. Certainly an option. [There are] plenty of federal workers running for office out there. So I think it comes down to where he feels like he can best serve the country.”

Okay, but what about the age thing? There’s been so much discussion in our culture about aging politicians, that while technically Bucky could run as he’s 85 years older than the required age, would that be an impediment to his chances? Not at all, said Kanter, noting that “novelty is a bit of an enticing factor.”

Similarly, the whole robotic arm wouldn’t be an issue, either. “Personally as a voter, I’d find the robotic arm pretty cool,” said Kanter. “I can’t imagine that there might be a factor more enticing to want to vote for a member of Congress.”

So far, so good when it comes to Bucky’s chances!

And then there’s the whole ex-KGB assassin thing. If you’ll recall, not only did Bucky attack Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) in broad daylight in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but it was also revealed in Captain America: Civil War that he killed Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey, Jr.) parents. “A track record of confirmed kills of US citizens on behalf of a hostile foreign nation might be a turn-off to certain folks,” Kanter said.

More murky is the outcome of the Sokovia Accords, and Bucky going on the run with Captain America (Chris Evans). According to Kanter, that would be down to public polling as far as how they view the Accords. He also called out the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, noting that “folks would be looking for a little bit more of a tighter leash from their government over some pretty powerful beings.”

It boils down to how he sells it on the campaign trail.

On the other hand, given that Bucky was a war hero before being revealed as The Winter Soldier, and there are even exhibits in Washington D.C. paying tribute to him as part of Captain America’s story, that could help balance things out. “This country especially has a soft spot for underdog stories and war heroes,” Kanter added. “We’ve seen a lot of appetite for forgiveness in the American electorate recently… It boils down to how he sells it on the campaign trail.”

Well, let’s talk about hitting that campaign trail. We glimpsed Bucky’s new look in the Thunderbolts trailer, and he’s sporting the same in Brave New World: stringy hair, cut down to his chin, and a beard that’s more than stubble. Would his whole style be a dealbreaker? Back in the day when politicians were supposed to be clean-cut, sure. Now? There’s a very specific precedent for why Bucky’s whole lewk might not be an issue. Or rather, a vice-precedent.

“I think Vice President JD Vance has brought back the beard,” Kanter said. “Apparently. I’m not sure how I personally feel about it. There’s about half the country that’s willing to vote for it, so I wouldn’t call it a nonstarter.”

Kanter had a better suggestion, though, for what Bucky should have on his face: “I think you should bring back the mask from Winter Soldier; [he’s] way cooler with that on,” Kanter said.

Is it surprising to think about a masked candidate running for office? Don’t worry – Kanter had already thought this one through.

“Honestly, I was thinking about this, but then I did a double take when I thought about possible alternatives,” Kantor said. “And I really do think if Spider-Man threw his hat in the ring for any House seat in New York, he’d win with 80% of the vote.”

You hear that, Marvel? You just found your plot for Spider-Man 4. And hey, maybe Peter Parker can take some tips on running for office from Bucky… if he wins.

Top image credit: Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images

I’m Going To Start Collecting MEGA Pokémon Thanks To These UK Deals

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, IGN

Building stuff is fun, but building Pokémon is just something else. These MEGA Pokémon sets are basically the best way to bring your favourite creatures to life without needing an actual Poké Ball. They’ve got moving parts, sick details, and a ridiculous amount of pieces to put together. There’s a solid selection on offer at Amazon, but I think these are some of the best UK deals.

UK Deals: MEGA Pokémon Kits

Amazon has now knocked up to 38% off some of the best ones. If you’ve ever wanted to have Charizard, Pikachu, Eevee, or even a light-up Pokédex sitting on your shelf, now’s a solid time to grab one.

The best part? These aren’t just models that sit there. Most of them move, light up, or look straight-up epic. They remind me of the kind of TCG cards you’d flex in a deck like those insane full-art EX cards. Let’s break down the best ones on sale right now.

MEGA Pokémon Motion Charizard

Charizard has always been one of the coolest Pokémon, and this build actually lets you make it move. It’s got poseable wings, legs, arms, and a tail, plus a hand crank that makes it flap its wings. It’s like seeing that classic Pokémon Red & Blue sprite come to life, or better yet, that moment in the anime where Charizard finally listened to Ash and started wrecking everyone.

The 1664 pieces make this a serious build, but seeing it in action is worth it. It’s a real-life version of the Charizard EX card from Flashfire, with the insane flames and the “Stoke” move. If you’ve got the patience, this is one of the best sets to put together.

MEGA Pokémon Kanto Region Pokédex

This one is straight nostalgia. It’s the OG Pokédex, the one Professor Oak gives you before you realize you’re about to get wrecked by Brock’s Onix because you picked Charmander. The build itself is solid, but the real star is the light-up feature and the five lenticular cards featuring Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, and Eevee.

It reminds me of Pokédex trainer cards that let you peek at your deck. If you ever spent hours memorizing Pokédex entries for no reason (like learning that Magcargo is hotter than the sun), you’ll get a kick out of this. Definitely a cool display piece.

MEGA Pokémon Motion Eevee

Eevee is one of the most beloved Pokémon for a reason. It’s got eight evolutions, each one cooler than the last. This set brings the classic version to life with moving legs, a wagging tail, and a head that actually tilts. It’s like the perfect mid-run Eevee, ready to dodge an attack before it lands a Quick Attack or a Shadow Ball (if you’re running Jolteon).

With 1366 pieces, it’s a good challenge but not overwhelming. It has the same energy as the Eevee VMAX card from the Sword & Shield sets, with that huge dynamic pose making it a must-have. If you’re an Eevee fan, this is an easy pick.

MEGA Pokémon Motion Pikachu

Pikachu’s been a legend since day one, and this set lets you build your own and make it move. It’s got a hand crank that makes its feet run and tail swing, so it looks just like it does when it’s zipping around in the anime, dodging Hyper Beams and hitting opponents with a last-second Iron Tail.

The 1095 pieces mean you’ll have a solid build session, but the result is peak nostalgia. It reminds me of the Pikachu Illustrator promo card. Rare, detailed, and just one of those things you want to own. If you grew up with Pokémon, this is a must-have.

MEGA Pokémon Charizard Action Figure

If you don’t want to commit to the big Charizard set, this smaller action figure version still delivers. It has poseable wings and a fire effect coming out of its mouth and tail, instantly making it cooler than most statues you can buy.

At 222 pieces, it’s a much quicker build, but it reminds me of Charizard GX from Hidden Fates which is an absolute beast. If you’re looking for a fast, fun build, this one’s worth picking up.

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

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