Month: September 2020

A new console generation is upon us. If you don’t play video games (or even if you do), navigating the tech and gaming landscapes can feel intimidating, even without the additional questions and confusion prompted by new PlayStation and Xbox systems hitting the market soon. If you’re a prospective buyer, like a parent doing some early holiday shopping, and find yourself in this camp–confused by all the different brands, naming conventions, accessories, and technical details–don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll walk you through what’s currently on the market, break down the key differences between the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S, and try to ease some of that gift-buying pressure.

Explaining Next Gen: The PS5 and Xbox Series X

Because of innovations in hardware and other trends and advancements in the game industry, new game consoles often launch around the same time. These periods are referred to as a “console generation.” The current generation of consoles includes Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One, which were both released in 2013, and the Nintendo Switch, which was released in 2017. When people refer to “next gen,” they are talking about the upcoming generation of new consoles.

In this case, the next generation of consoles includes the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X, which will launch in November 2020. For a clearer look at some recent console generations from the past few decades, check out the table below.

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Though most of the hype this holiday season surrounds a pair of next-generation consoles, Nintendo has had a huge year as well, largely due to the massive launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons during a global pandemic, which left many people scrambling to buy the console and grab a copy for themselves. Though the mad rush to buy a Switch has calmed down a bit in recent months, the console is still hard to find in stock at MSRP. Thankfully, restocks at major retailers are becoming more common than they were earlier this year. That’s fortunate, since we expect the Switch will still be at the top of many people’s wish lists this Christmas.

Whether you’re shopping for someone who wants their first Switch or someone who’s owned one since 2017, there are plenty of Nintendo gift ideas out there that’ll make this holiday season truly special. From this year’s biggest Switch games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Paper Mario: The Origami King to handy Switch accessories and eye-catching merch, there’s no shortage of options out there that would make any Nintendo fan’s face light up with joy. So to make your gift shopping a little easier this year, we’ve rounded up some of the best Nintendo gift ideas for 2020.

Plus, see our full Nintendo Switch buying guide for more info on the console if needed and our guides to the best Switch controllers, carrying cases, grips, and screen protectors for more Switch gift ideas.

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When Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson appeared at the first day of DC FanDome, he brought with him some exciting news about the upcoming Black Adam movie. During the panel, the former WWE wrestler revealed that the film will introduce the Justice Society of America, which is a team of superheroes that preceded the Justice League. Among the JSA members slated to appear are Dr. Fate, Cyclone, and Hawkman. Until now, though, none of those roles had been cast.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Underground and The Invisible Man star Aldis Hodge is in final talks to take on the role of Hawkman. That would make him the third actor to sign on for Black Adam, after Johnson and Noah Centineo, who will play Atom Smasher.

At this point, we don’t know much about Black Adam, outside of what Johnson shared at FanDome, where he revealed that his take on the antihero has a strict sense of personal justice, which may not exactly align with the JSA. However, based on how the information was presented, it certainly sounds like he’ll be working with the Society, rather than against them.

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A brand new heroine will be defending Gotham City in Batwoman: Season 2, and now we’ve gotten our first look at Javicia Leslie wearing the iconic Batsuit.

Leslie posted the image on her Instagram account, showing what looks to be a screenshot of a costume test, along with the message, “Look out, Gotham, I’m suited up and ready to go… But just wait until Ryan Wilder puts her own spin on the Batsuit.”

It appears as though Leslie’s character Ryan Wilder will be wearing the same Batsuit as Ruby Rose’s Kate Kane (which itself is a modified version of the bulletproof suit originally worn by Bruce Wayne). But based on Leslie’s message, we’re guessing Ryan will eventually branch out and wear her own, personalized Batsuit. Hopefully Luke Fox or Cisco Ramon can hook her up with new duds.

Previously, our only glimpse of the new Batwoman came in the form of a DC FanDome montage poster drawn by Jim Lee. You can see a fully suited-up Ryan Wilder in the lower left, amid dozens of other DC heroes from across the multiverse.

Like most of the current Arrowverse shows, Batwoman was forced to end its first season prematurely after production was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after the Season 1 finale, we learned original series star Ruby Rose won’t be returning, with Rose citing the physical demands of the job and the back injury she suffered as reasons for wanting to move on. The CW eventually confirmed Leslie’s Ryan Wilder will inherit the Batwoman mantle and Kate Kane herself won’t be recast. Instead, Kate’s sudden disappearance will be a major plot point in Season 2.

Batwoman: Season 2 will begin in January 2021. Last we heard, the next Arrowverse crossover will unite Batwoman and new series Superman & Lois, though it’s unclear if Rose’s exit has changed those plans.

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While we wait for more on the future of Batwoman, find out how the season finale (sort of) introduced the Arrowverse’s Bruce Wayne, and brush up on all the big changes in the aftermath of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

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Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

Get a glimpse of the World Premiere for music video Dynamite (Choreography ver.) by BTS in Fortnite Party Royale.

The PS5 lineup is looking strong for next year, here are a few games coming in 2021 that you should definitely keep your eyes peeled for.

On this week’s episode of GameSpot After Dark, Jake, Lucy, and Kallie are joined by illustrious freelancer and king of Twitter comedy Funké Joseph. As always, the crew talks about what they’ve been playing (and doing), which includes watching video game documentary Console Wars, playing Mafia: Definitive Edition, and revisiting of one of 2019’s best games, Control.

After a brief interlude to talk about Ready Player One author Ernest Cline’s less well-known (and far less favorable) work of poetry, the crew moves on to the week’s biggest news: Microsoft’s $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax media, parent company to Bethesda.

What does the acquisition mean for Microsoft, Xbox Series X, and Game Pass–and what does it mean for Bethesda’s games and creative freedom? Will we see Bethesda games on PS5? Listen to find out what we think as we answer your biggest questions about the news.

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