Month: July 2019

The first of the Halo: Reach PC betas began this weekend, and it took no time at all for people to do what people do. Tyler Davis of developer 343 Industries announced on Twitter that the first beta test, or “flight” in the Halo parlance, was “illegally distributed online” just after release.

Those who download or play the “illegal” copy of the game could have their accounts banned, while they might also be blocked from future beta tests.

According to Davis, this type of illegal activity is no surprise to 343.

“We knew this was something that likely would happen with our early flights,” he said. “We are prepared for how to handle it on our ends and this is just more so a reminder warning to people that if they circumvent it there are consequences.”

The first Halo: Reach PC beta began on June 28 and is scheduled to end on July 1. Another element of controversy surrounding the beta is that some people believe 343 gave preferential treatment to streamers or content creators in regards to access to the beta. This is not true, Davis said. Five out of six people granted access to the beta were chosen based on their PC hardware configurations, Davis said. The rest were content creators or “close friends” of 343 including professional gamers who have worked with Microsoft in the past. The terms of the Halo: Reach PC beta test state that footage cannot be streamed online.

Over time, 343 will expand the Halo: Reach for PC beta tests to include more people and provide access to different parts of the game. “We see the excitement and eagerness from the community to participate in these flights, and we hear you,” 343 said in a blog post. “Just know that we are going to continue to invite more over time and get as many people in and providing feedback as possible but it’s going to take some time so please hang in there.

The next beta test for Halo: Reach on PC will be released … at some point. “As stated many times before, it’s ready when it’s ready,” 343 said.

There will be beta tests for Halo: Reach on Xbox One as well, but there is no word on when they might begin. In all cases, you need to sign up for the Halo Insiders program for a shot at getting in.

Halo: Reach is coming to PC through The Master Chief Collection, which will be available on Steam and Windows. It’ll likely be a very long time before each title is released, as 343 is planning these betas for each title, spanning Halo: Reach, Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and finally Halo 4. Each game will be sold individually, while Xbox Game Pass subscribers on Xbox One or PC can get them all as they’re released at no extra cost.

Microsoft will also offer pre-release beta tests for Halo Infinite on Xbox and PC, but there is no word yet when they will begin.

The new month has big Nintendo Switch exclusives like Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3.

Netflix and Warner Bros. have signed what The Hollywood Reporter’s sources describe as a “massive” financial deal to adapt Neil Gaiman’s famous Sandman comic series into a live action show on the popular streaming platform. According to THR’s sources, it’s the most expensive TV series that DC Entertainment has ever taken on.

Writing the Sandman TV series will be Allan Heinberg, who previously worked as a writer on 2017’s Wonder Woman, Grey’s Anatomy, and co-produced Scandal, among others. Gaiman himself will executive producer alongside David Goyer (The Dark Knight, Man of Steel), both of whom were attached to New Line Cinema’s previous attempts at breaking ground on a film deal.

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A complete guide to finding the Week 8 Hidden Fortbyte in Fortnite!

Don’t expect action movie actor Dave Bautista to join the Fast & Furious franchise anytime soon. The Guardians of the Galaxy and James Bond actor said on Twitter, probably jokingly to some extent, that he would “rather do good films.”

His comment came in reply to someone on Twitter (via IndieWire) suggesting that Bautista would make for a good villain in a Fast & Furious spin-off starring The Rock and John Cena. The Rock and Cena, after all, are appearing together in Fast & Furious 9. Of course, Bautista’s replies were flooded with messages about “bad” movies that he made in the past.

For what it’s worth, Bautista admits to appearing in some films that were less than great, but he said he did so to help advance his career. He also pointed out that he had the experience of working with Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone in the Escape Plan series.

Bautista’s next big role is in the action-comedy Stuber, which he stars in alongside his MCU colleague Karen Gillan, as well as Kumail Nanjiani. Some of his other upcoming roles include parts in Escape Plan 3, My Spy, Dune, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Army of the Dead.

In other news about Dave Bautista, the actor has said he wants to play Marcus Fenix in the Gears of War movie. However, no casting announcements have been made.