Animal Crossing – Here’s How Swimming Works

Animal Crossing: New Horizons‘s first free summer content update arrives on July 3. Not only will the update bring back another returning character, Pascal, it will also introduce the ability to swim, and Nintendo has explained how that will work.

Much like in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, you’ll need to have a wetsuit to swim in New Horizons. Following the summer update, you’ll find wetsuits for sale in Nook’s Cranny alongside the other tools. After you purchase one, simply put it on and you’ll be able to take a dip in the ocean around your island.

While swimming, you’ll also be able to dive underwater and catch new sea creatures like sea stars and garden eels, which you can then donate to Blathers to display in the museum. If you find a scallop while diving, the aforementioned Pascal will pop up, and you can trade it to him for a new mermaid DIY recipe (and a kernel of otter wisdom).

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Get Anime Movies, TV Shows Up To 70% Off, Including Dragon Ball Z And More

It’s Anime Month at the Microsoft Store once again, which means you can save up to 70% on popular anime films and TV shows that you can watch on Xbox One or PC. The sale is going on all month long, and if you spend at least $40 on any anime in the sale, you’ll get 4,000 MS Rewards points. That comes out to about $4, but when you’re getting it on top of steep discounts, who’s complaining?

The sale notably includes all seasons of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, with both English and Japanese audio available for the latter. If you’re just getting into one of these shows, there’s a nice incentive for just buying the first season. If you buy season 1 of Dragon Ball Z ($14) or Dragon Ball Super ($8), you’ll get the second season for free. This freebie offer is only available until July 6.

While the selection for Microsoft’s latest anime sale isn’t as great as we’ve seen in previous sales, there are still some gems here worth snagging if you’re looking for new anime to watch. The movie selection includes A Silent Voice, a love story about a woman who is deaf, for $7, and Penguin Highway, a sci-fi story that begins with penguins appearing everywhere inexplicably, for $6 (you can also rent it for $2). Several Naruto movies are also up for grabs, including Road to Ninja ($9) and Naruto Shippuden: The Movie ($8). On the TV side of things, you can grab Death Note: The Complete Series on sale for $30 (normally $50), along with seasons of Inuyasha, Sailor Moon, and Bleach for steep discounts.

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Gambit Movie Dreams Come True In This Fan Made Short Film

Those crushed by Hollywood’s repeated empty promises to make a movie based on the Marvel comic book character Gambit, may enjoy a brief taste of the playing card-throwing, trench coat-wearing, some sort of accent-having mutant antihero in a new fan made short film, Play For Keeps.

Actor Nick Bateman, who plays Gambit in the 20-min short, posted the video to his YouTube account recently, but the short incorporates footage from a teaser that Bateman and director Jensen Noen released in 2017. That teaser sees Bateman as Gambit, narrating the character’s motivation in voiceover before he fights Krzysztof Soszynski as Daken. (Like Gambit could ever beat someone related to Wolverine in a fight. Are you kidding me?)

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Dreams Will be Playable in VR Next Month

Dreams is getting a free update to make it compatible with PlayStation VR. The update will arrive on July 22 and will include tutorials on how to start making new creations in PS VR.

Media Molecule’s latest project, Dreams, is less of a game and more of a creation tool where players can make their own games, movies, images, music, and much more. In July, the range of tools available to players in Dreams will be expanded with a new VR update that lets players create and enjoy VR content.

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Dreams VR will let players use the PlayStation Move Controllers and begin sculpting VR creations. The update will come with a variety of how-to’s so players can learn new skills and some of the more next-level techniques in VR.

Media Molecule has also created its own set of VR experiences for Dreams players as a showcase of what the update can do. One of those experiences is Box Blaster which is a VR shooting experience inside Dreams.

Players won’t need VR to create PS VR experiences. Non-PS VR users can access the same update as VR owners.

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Alongside VR updates, there will also be a new slate of accessibility features like comfort mode, vignette strength, static sky, and more.

Dreams VR will arrive on July 22. Check out IGN’s Dreams review for more coverage.

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Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

17 Mini Series You Can Binge With 19 Episodes Or Less

No time for a multi-season epic? These one-and-done mini and anthology series are the perfect length to stream.

As much as we all love sweeping, expansive, multi-season epics like Westworld or Game Of Thrones, sometimes it’s better to be realistic. Even while stuck at home, not everyone has the time (or, more realistically, the focus) to mainline dozens of hours of TV. And that’s totally okay–because with streaming services like HBO Max, Hulu, and Netflix, you have access to plenty of 10-episode-or-less mini series to stream, ranging from true crime documentaries to thrilling prestige fantasies and everything in between. Sure, the subject matter may not always be the lightest fair, but you can knock them out in a day or two before moving right on to the next–no massive time commitment or long-term memory required.

Of course, if you’re looking for something that you can definitely finish in one sitting, take a look at our recommendations for streaming cosmic and psychological horror movies, as well as the best action movies currently available on Netflix!

How have you been spending your free time while you quarantine at home? Is your favorite mini series on the list? Let us know in the comments below!

1. Sharp Objects

Watch On HBO

Based on the Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl) novel of the same name, Sharp Objects blends a murder mystery with brutal family drama as journalist Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) returns to her backwater Missouri town to investigate the deaths of two young girls.

2. True Detective

Watch On HBO

An anthology made up of three unrelated, eight-episode seasons, True Detective always focuses on, well, detectives. Two of them per season, trying to work through a specific crime that has been haunting them for years. We recommend you go through Season 1 but then skip Season 2 in favor of Season 3.

3. Maniac

Watch On Netflix

Directed by the co-creator of True Detective Season 1, Cary Fukunaga, Maniac is an experimental mind-trip that sends two strangers (Emma Stone and Jonah Hill) through a psychedelic drug trial aimed at developing a pill that will replace all conventional forms of talk therapy. Needless to say, the results are a mixed bag for the subjects.

4. Chernobyl

Watch On HBO

A dramatized version of the catastrophic meltdown of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat in the Ukranian SSR, this show is as bleak as they come–but it’s also beautiful. Atmospheric, tense, and unflinchingly difficult to watch at points, it’s probably not the best to binge before bed.

5. Band of Brothers

Watch On HBO

Another historical drama, Band of Brothers is one of the most famous World War II stories ever adapted to TV. It focuses on the 101st Airborne division’s Easy Company, who were sent in as paratroopers before D-Day and then remained in the European Theater through the end of the war. Even if WWII stories aren’t your usual cup of tea, this one is worth your time if only for the amazing cast of real-life characters it introduces.

6. The Haunting Of Hill House

Watch On Netflix

We may be several months out from proper spooky season, but being terrified never goes out of style. The Haunting Of Hill House will both scare the hell out of you and probably make you cry in just 10 episodes.

7. Evil Genius

Watch On Netflix

Evil Genius bills itself as “the true story of America’s most diabolical bank heist” and it delivers. With just four episodes, this true crime docu-series will have you on the edge of your seat–especially if you’re too young to remember the actual events of the “pizza bomber” case as it played out in real time back in 2003. Go in knowing as little as possible and enjoy the ride.

8. Wild Wild Country

Watch On Netflix

One of the first Netflix docu-series to really make waves, Wild Wild Country is six episodes of twists and turns you will never see coming, following the story of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and the community of Rajneeshpuram in the state of Oregon.

9. Tiger King

Watch On Netflix

Do we really need to explain this one? Sure, March may feel like it was a decade ago, given how 2020 has gone, but Netflix’s Tiger King earned it’s meme status with a story you really have to see to believe. Don’t let all the goofy social media jokes fool you, though–this one isn’t for the faint of heart.

10. The Young Pope

Watch On HBO

Jude Law becomes the, well, young pope–surprise!–after a series of unfortunate events disrupt the normal election proceedings. He’s the first American to hold the position and, if you couldn’t guess, this makes for all sorts of devious, political intrigue in the Catholic church.

11. The Night Of

Watch On HBO

Crime drama The Night Of was actually based on the first season of British crime series, Criminal Justice, spun into a stand-alone eight episode series for HBO. It chronicles a college student (Riz Ahmed) trying to prove his innocence when accused of murder.

12. The Assassination Of Gianni Versace

Watch On FX on Hulu

FX’s anthology series American Crime Story has earned universal acclaim for both of its seasons, but if you can only pick one, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace is the way to go. With nine episodes and a power house performance by Darren Criss, this is a heart pounding, horrifying dramatization of a real life murder case that will leave you overwhelmed in the best way.

13. Catch-22

Watch On Hulu

Based on the Joseph Heller novel you may have had to read in high school, Catch-22 is Hulu’s six-episode entry into the historical mini series game. With its black comedy and fantastic performances by George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, and Kyle Chandler, it’s one that shouldn’t be missed–it’s bleak, to be sure, but may serve as a pick-me-up after you watch some of the even darker entries on this list.

14. The Alienist

Watch On Amazon

A 10-episode psychological thriller, The Alienist is set in the late 1800s and centered around an early psychiatrist (also known as an alienist) played by Daniel Brühl (Captain America: Civil War), as he attempts to profile a murderer responsible for a string of grisly killings.

15. Fosse/Verdon

Watch On FX on Hulu

Biographical drama Fosse/Verdon chronicles the life of director/choreographer Bob Fosse (chances are if you’ve seen a broadway musical, you’re at least a little familiar with him) and his complicated, dramatic relationship with dancer/actor Gwen Verdon. Basically it’s Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams serving up some of the best performances of their careers in style–what’s not to love?

16. Devs

Watch On FX on Hulu

We here at GameSpot love Devs–we even broke down every single episode and then spoke with creator Alex Garland to answer some of our burning questions, so this recommendation should come as no surprise. If you’ve been sleeping on this sci-fi masterpiece, it’s time to wake up. The story of a tech company attempting to unlock the secrets of existence with quantum computing, all eight episodes are streaming on Hulu.

17. Watchmen

Watch On HBO

When HBO first announced it would be premiering a Watchmen TV show, reactions were justifiably skeptical–after all, the graphic novel has not had the best history when it comes to being adapted. But this nine-episode limited series is one for the history books–literally. Set in a world long after the events of the 1980s graphic novel story, Watchmen is both a thrilling comic book TV show and a scathing indictment of American history. If you can only watch one show on this list, make it this one.

The Best Xbox Deals Happening Right Now

With the upcoming Xbox Series X and rumored “Xbox Series S” looming on the horizon, there’s no time like the present to score some great deals on Xbox One and its many different versions. The Xbox One X is a powerful 4K gaming machine, and Microsoft’s Play Anywhere initiative means you’ll be able to play Halo: Infinite on it at release if you can’t get your hands on an Xbox Series X on its release date, whenever that may be.

Here are the latest chances to save on Xbox.

Best Xbox One Deals

Deals on Xbox One consoles are hard to come by at the moment. In fact, Xbox One consoles are hard to come by. These are some of the opportunities to get your hands on an Xbox One X at the moment.

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Best Xbox Game Deals

Game deals are also pretty slim right now, but there are chances to save. Best Buy oddly offers free HBO Max for 30 days on a lot of its gaming products in addition to sale prices.

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Best Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold Deals

Even when it’s not on sale, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is an incredible value, combining Xbox Live and Game Pass into one subscription.

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Xbox External Storage Deals

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When Will Xbox Be Back in Stock?

This is a hard question to answer. It’s possible to get one right now if you buy from GameStop or Amazon and don’t mind paying MSRP, but with the Xbox Series X release date announcement coming any day now, there’s not a lot of reason for retailers to keep Xbox One in stock. But beyond that, the supply chain disruptions of the last few months have made getting pretty much any console a tricky endeavor. If you absolutely want to start taking advantage of the benefits of Xbox Game Pass right now, by all means, pick up an Xbox One X, but if you’d rather wait and not pay full price, it’s likely we’ll see some Black Friday savings on remaining stock.

Apple Cancels Arcade Game Projects As It Seeks Greater Engagement – Report

Apple is reportedly shifting its Apple Arcade subscription strategy, attempting to lean in on games that will retain its subscriber base.

Bloomberg reports that the company has scrapped some development contracts with game studios. Developers involved say they were told their games didn’t have a level of “engagement” that the company is looking for, as it seeks to keep users subscribed over a longer period of time. Developers also noted that Apple specifically cited Grindstone as an example of the type of game it wants to see more on the service.

In a statement, Apple said it has always planned to make changes to its lineup based on feedback. The company has not shared metrics for Apple Arcade performance publicly, but developers have said the moves could signal that subscriber growth has been slow and those who sign up for the free trial aren’t retaining their subscriptions.

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Hamilton: 8 Things To Watch For When You Finally See It On Disney+

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s iconic musical Hamilton is streaming on Disney+. Here’s what to look for when you finally watch it.

Hamilton’s release on Disney+ will be many people’s first opportunity to see the show. If you’re one of those people–if you never entered a ticket lottery in New York or caught a newer iteration in another location–you’re in for a treat when Lin-Manuel Miranda’s iconic historical hip hop musical hits Disney’s streaming service on July 3.

The streaming version of Miranda’s musical was recorded with the original cast, so this is the version that fully blew up a few years ago. And the hype is truly real: Hamilton is unbelievably good, much better than you’d expect from a rap musical based on the life of American founding father Alexander Hamilton.

Hamilton is a bonafide sensation because it’s legitimately phenomenal. The fusion of rap, American history, a cast of non-white actors, and musical theater sensibilities creates a show unlike anything else you’ve ever seen, and it has endless layers to peel back in the music, lyrics, set, choreography, and more. If you’re watching it for the first time on Disney+, here are some things to look out for.

1. It’s historically accurate

Of course, there are moments in Hamilton where creator Lin-Manuel Miranda took creative liberties, like Hamilton’s exact age or the details of certain relationships where little historical information was available. But Miranda did intense amounts of research about the period and the people involved, from reading biographies and Hamilton’s own writings to visiting historical locations. In fact, it was a biography that gave Miranda the idea in the first place–Ron Chernow’s appropriately titled book “Alexander Hamilton.” Chernow later served as a consultant to help ensure the musical’s historical accuracy. In other words, if it happens in Hamilton, it probably happened similarly in real life. Educational!

2. There’s an extra song you haven’t heard before

Even if you haven’t seen Hamilton the musical yet, there’s a chance you’ve listened to Hamilton the musical soundtrack. But even if you’ve memorized every word of the album, there will be surprises for you in the stage version, including one extra scene, Laurens’ Interlude, that isn’t on the album.

3. There are countless rap references

If you’re a hip hop head, there’s a lot you’re going to love about Hamilton. The various characters’ rapping styles are based on different rappers Miranda likes, from Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes to Eminem and Mobb Deep. You’ll find lyrics that reference and pay homage to hip hop classics of the past as well. “My Shot” alone features a line lifted from Mobb Deep’s Shook Ones Part II (“I’m only 19, but my mind is old”) and an homage to Notorious BIG’s Going Back to Cali (the way Hamilton spells out his name).

4. And other musicals, too

Hamilton is a hip hop musical, a Venn diagram you might think doesn’t have much overlap. Even if you’re a bigger fan of the “musical” part than the “hip hop” aspect, there’s plenty in the show to dig into (don’t forget, Miranda is a theater nerd first and foremost). As Mental Floss points out, Hamilton’s lyrics include references to and entire lines borrowed from other musicals including South Pacific, Pirates of Penzance, and The Last Five Years.

5. Almost every character is played by a non-white actor

The only major character in Hamilton’s original production who’s played by a white actor is, appropriately, King George (portrayed by Jonathan Groff). Unsurprisingly, this is no accident; Miranda told the New York Times in 2015, “Our goal was: This is a story about America then, told by America now, and we want to eliminate any distance–our story should look the way our country looks. Then we found the best people to embody these parts. I think it’s a very powerful statement without having to be a statement.”

6. Several actors play multiple roles

Hamilton is divided into two distinct acts, one prior to the American Revolution, and one set afterward, with an intermission in between. Naturally, since the musical strives to stay mostly accurate to Hamilton’s life, there are characters who are present in one act but not the other, like Hamilton’s son Philip, who was born in 1782. One of the fun things about watching and re-watching the show is noting which actors switch roles halfway through. For example, Daveed Diggs plays Marquis de Lafayette in the first half and Thomas Jefferson in the second.

7. You’ll recognize these actors

Speaking of Diggs, you’re going to recognize several of the actors in this show, whose careers have blown up since Hamilton debuted. You might know Diggs from the recent Snowpiercer TV show, Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, or his excellent 2018 film Blindspotting. Renée Elise Goldsberry, who plays Angelica Schuyler, now stars in the Netflix sci-fi show Altered Carbon. Groff, who plays King George, stars in the Frozen movies as Kristoff and the Netflix true-crime-adjacent show Mindhunters. And of course, Miranda himself has since appeared in Mary Poppins Returns, HBO’s His Dark Materials, and many more.

8. Watch the set as the show progresses

As The Washington Post pointed out in 2018, Hamilton’s now-iconic set, created by designer David Korins, changes subtly throughout the show. The set was designed to resemble the scaffolding around which the country was built, and as the musical transitions to the second act, the walls get taller and various items around the edges change, like guns and tools being replaced by parchment and quill pens.

Despite Being Released Already, Amazon’s Crucible Is Going Back Into Closed Beta

In a bizarre move, despite having been released in May, Amazon’s Crucible is shifting back into a closed beta beginning on July 1. The move comes after a quiet launch, which marked the first release from Amazon’s internal game studios.

Crucible game will continue to be accessible for players 24/7, but the development team will be scheduling out time to play with the community and solicit feedback. The game will also still be accessible through Steam for current players. Anyone that wants access to the beta should download the game prior to 9 AM PDT tomorrow July 1, after which you will need to sign up through the game’s website for the beta.

There is no set date for when the game will exit beta and release again, with the post saying “it will be based on your feedback and the metrics that we see in-game.” Players will keep all progress and customization items, plus the battle pass and in-game store will remain.

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New Apex Legends Patch Addresses Lost Treasures Bugs

Respawn has pushed a hotfix update for Apex Legends which addresses several noticeable bugs that popped up in the battle royale game with the release of the Lost Treasures update. The full patch notes for this latest hotfix update are listed below.

Of note, the hotfix addresses the Mobile Respawn Beacon that spawned in the now-open bunker near Water Treatment. Currently, Mobile Respawn Beacons are exclusive to the limited-time Armed & Dangerous mode, but they’re set to release into the standard modes when Lost Treasures ends. Some players–myself included–believed the beacon that spawned in the bunker was a hidden secret that teased what was to come, but apparently not! It was a bug.

The hotfix update also addresses notable issues with Wraith and Octane. In Lost Treasures, Wraith got a new legendary skin called The Marble Goddess. Equipping the skin caused a bug that prevented Wraith from taking headshot damage when hit in the head–instead, the game mistakenly assigned the less severe body damage to a headshot. That issue has now been fixed, alongside a bug that allowed Octane to use healing items while using Stim.

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