Check out the latest odds and ends of entertainment news.

Voltron: Legendary Defender

Netflix’s Voltron: Legendary Defender has experienced many ups and downs during the course of its existence. But now reports indicate it could leave Netflix in December of 2024. That would be a blow to fans because the series was created for Netflix. However, as always with TV series, there are many cooks in the kitchen and complicated contractual nuances in play.

Official accounts have weighed in the question of whether Voltron will be removed from Netflix, noting “Discussions are ongoing. When we know, you’ll know.”

Mr. Crocket

Get ready for a creepy children’s show to come to life, complete with an eerie jingle. Mr. Crockett is here to snatch children and kill parents. Yikes!

YouTube

YouTube will soon allow creators to organize their contents by “season” and “episode” on its platform. YouTube Chief Product Officer Johanna Voolich shares in a blog post, “To help our creators’ content shine on TVs, they will soon be able to organize their content into seasons and episodes, making it easy for viewers to tune into the new must see TV… We’re making other improvements to the TV experience with immersive content that plays directly from a creator’s channel, streamlined subscription options and easier access to links in descriptions.” This update will arrive in 2025.

Time Bandits

Alas, although fans were excited about the Time Bandits series reboot/adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s cult favorite movie and seemed to like it overall, it was not meant to be. Joining a pile of other Apple TV+ series that somehow didn’t manage to make a big mark despite a big budget and a good amount of star power, Time Bandits has been canceled after one season. It seems like Time Bandits just didn’t garner a large enough audience. And so, to the canceled heap it goes. We barely knew you!

For the interested, The Time Bandits season one synopsis shared:

Guided by Lisa Kudrow, the eccentric crew of bandits embark on epic adventures while evil forces threaten their conquests, and life as they know it. As the group transports through time and space, the gang stumbles upon fascinating worlds of the distant past while seeking out treasure, depending on Kevin to shed light on each situation. The “Time Bandits” witness the creation of Stonehenge, see the Trojan Horse in action, escape dinosaurs in the prehistoric ages, wreak havoc during medieval times, experience the Ice Age, ancient civilizations and the Harlem Renaissance, and much more along the way. 

Spirit Halloween

Spirit Halloween is here to make Halloween miracles come true. Now you can dress like a Cinnabon Box or an Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Nuggets Cup. Isn’t that what every little kid dreams of? We just have to wonder if these costumes also include a Cinnabon and Auntie Anne perfume spray to really set the scene.

The Lord of the Rings

Wētā Workshop can’t recall how many Hobbit feet its made, but does recall Elijah Wood looking for his perfect fit.

MCU – Beast

Kelsey Grammer surprise reprised his role as the X-Men’s Beast in The Marvels. But Grammer can’t say much about whether his Beast will return to the MCU in the future. He notes that there have been “some conversations” about Beast returning to the Marvel franchise. These, he seems to imply, are bolstered by the “overwhelming” response to his cameo. In full, Grammer shares, “There’s nothing I can talk about. What I do know is that there was a huge sort of outburst when I showed up at the end of The Marvels; I guess it was. The response was really almost… it wasn’t unexpected. There’d be some response, but it was pretty overwhelming, and so there are some conversations.”

MCU – Scarlet Witch

Elizabeth Olsen recently gave voice to what some MCU fans of the character have themselves felt. She noted, “It’s a character that I love going back to when there’s a way to use her well, and I think I have been lucky that when I started I was used well. I think people didn’t know what to do with me for a second there… if there’s a good way to use her I’m always happy to come back.”

She seems to imply Marvel wasn’t super sure what to do with her character for a time, but the good news is Olsen is always happy to return as Scarlet Witch… If there’s a reason.

MCU – RDJ’s Return

We were shocked when it was announced Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU as Doctor Doom. And we weren’t the only ones. MCU co-star Don Cheadle shared his reaction was about the same. He revealed, “I was like, ‘What the f*ck?’ I think that’s exactly what I said,” 

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom almost had a much more spoilery name. Producer Eiji Aonuma shared more about the title in Tears of the Kingdom‘s art book. In it, Aonuma notes, “One of the candidates for the title that made it to [the] end [of development] was ‘Tears of the Dragon,'”But it would be a bad idea to have the keyword ‘Dragon’ in the title, and we wanted to have dragon patterns in the logo, but decided otherwise. It’d emphasize the Light Dragon, after all.”

The game’s development team didn’t want to emphasize the Light Dragon too heavily in the title because it would have pointed to a huge game spoiler. The Light Dragon is, of course, Princess Zelda herself. To save her kingdom and restore the Master Sword to its full power, Zelda sacrifices her humanity and becomes the dragon. In this way, Tears of the Kingdom also makes perfect sense but doesn’t draw too much attention to The Light Dragon and her identity.

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The entirety of Pelican Town in LEGO bricks?! This wild idea is a reality thanks to Steve Jenson, a fan of the 2D farming simulation game, Stardew Valley. The 75,000-piece LEGO recreation debut at BrickCon 2024 in Bellevue, Washington. The sole developer and creator of Stardew Valley, Eric Barone, known professionally as “ConcernedApe,” also took notice of the large model. Barone praised Jenson in person, as seen in an Instagram photo posted by Jenson.

Jenson’s LEGO build of Stardew Valley included iconic locations from the game, including JojaMart and the Wizard’s Tower. Jenson built a sign that mimicked the game’s title card to tie the entire map together. The build took over two years, and Jenson had to take some creative liberties with it to accomplish the model to the scale he did. To make the game into LEGO, Jenson imagined what the sides and backs of buildings only shown from the front looked like. Additionally, Jenson converged separate pieces of Pelican Town’s map to create a cohesive build. The video below offers a closer look at all the impressive details in the model.

When asked about his favorite part Jenson told PC Gamer, “the Hat Shop, because I was able to make [it] almost entirely hollow, so you can look through the cracks and broken parts, and see through to more such openings on the other side. Just as a rundown, abandoned structure would be.”

The Nintendo Switch version of Stardew Valley largely influences the color and style of the LEGO Model’s design. Jenson combined different game progress levels and seasons to show elements within their respective stages. All of Jenson’s efforts paid off at BrickCon, where his LEGO build won the People’s Choice award.

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The advent of the first PlayStation in December 1994 changed the home entertainment industry forever. The console’s imagery permeates pop culture and remains just as recognizable as years ago due to its revolutionary impact on the gaming industry. The PlayStation may be on its fifth iteration now, but the look of the original is not lost on time. In fact, Sony just announced a limited edition PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection that pays homage to the colors and themes of its first console.

The new collection includes various editions of the PS5 and its accessories. There are two bundles and three standalone items available for purchase. Both the PS5 Digital and Pro editions will have their own bundles. The Pro bundle will have a limited production run of only 12,300, with each one individually numbered. That number comes from the month and date that the PlayStation launched. Both come with additional accessories like PlayStation cable ties, PlayStation logo paperclip, stickers, and a poster. An eye-catching addition is the special USB-C connector, housed in a casing that resembles the original PlayStation’s controller wire.

“So today we use USB-C for this charging cable, but we want to bring back some memories when you start playing [the PS5],” said Hideaki Nishino, CEO Platform Business Group of Sony Interactive Entertainment.

All the products in the collection feature nostalgic references to the original PlayStation. The collection is light gray, with the original quad-colored logo evocative of the first console. The entire collection features a special logo highlighting the 30th anniversary, including on the grips and embossing of the controllers. PlayStation shared many more hidden nostalgic details in the video below.

Fans of the original PlayStation or those who want to add a retro flair to their modern setup can expect to enjoy all the designs in this collection. The anniversary collection will release Nov. 21. Pre-orders on direct.playstation.com and select retailers begin Sept. 26.

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Netflix is heading back to Night City. We just don’t know when. We don’t even know what the streamer is going to do when it returns there. And we definitely don’t know if this new animated story is connected to the site’s previous anime series set in the video game world. The streamer and CD Projekt Red released a “special announcement” trailer for a mysterious new Cyberpunk project. They just didn’t share any details about it.

As part of this year’s digital Geeked Week event Netflix revealed it’s getting back into Cyberpunk 2077‘s world of technology and body modification. This new animated series will seemingly just be known as Cyberpunk without any year designation just yet.

And that’s about all we actually know about it! The streaming site and CDPR only said “more info” is “coming soon.”

With so few/any details, the lack of information might be more telling. This will not be the first animated show from the franchise to debut at Netflix. In 2022 the two companies released Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, an animated miniseries based on CD Projekt Red’s video game. That ten-episode season told the story of “a street kid trying to survive in Night City” by becoming “a mercenary outlaw also known as a cyberpunk.” This brief teaser also makes no mention of Studio Trigger, which was behind Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

It’s certainly possible this new series could have a direct connection to the previous one, either through recurring characters or plot. The change in title and a complete lack of nods towards it has us lenaing towards this new show being an all-new thing. We’ll just have to wait to find out.

In the meantime, fans of the franchise can celebrate the total turnaround it has undergone since the original game’s less than stellar debut. It did not initially live up to its highly anticipated release. (To put it kindly.) Yet here it is about to have another anime spinoff series. The fact we don’t know anything about it doesn’t change how telling that fact is.

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‘Tis the season for many things—pumpkin spice lattes, apple picking, and… video game adaptations. Yes, more than ever, our favorite games are turning into series for our viewing pleasure. Next up, the popular video game Devil May Cry is heading to Netflix in the form of an anime series. In this current gaming adaptation age, we bet the results are better than ever. Although we don’t yet have a release date for this anime, Netflix did share a teaser trailer for the series. Here’s what we know about the Devil May Cry series heading to Netflix.

Devil May Cry Official Teaser Trailer and Release Date Window

In celebration of Geeked Week 2024, Netflix teases that Dante is on his way. The streamer released an official teaser trailer for Devil May Cry and it is action-packed and epic. This Devil May Care teaser made a few things clear: his name is Dante, he’s a demon hunter, and he can sure shoot those two guns. In addition to a million awesome looking demons, the teaser spent most of its time focusing on Dante. But it also introduced us to the villain of Devil May Cry season one, the dastardly White Rabbit, also called Rabi. He can’t wait for the gates of hell to open. And we’re pretty sure that’s bad news. Either way, we’re hyped!

But that’s not the only exciting piece of news, Netflix revealed that Devil May Cry will release in April 2025. We love a release date window.

Devil May Cry Series Announcement Teaser Trailer

Conversations about the Devil May Cry animated series have been circulating since 2021. So we feel glad to finally see it coming to fruition. Netflix’s original teaser for Devil May Cry didn’t show us too much from the anime show. But it did set the tone just right. The quick scenes of action and the hard rock music certainly have us ready to dive into an episode. And the animation looks incredibly good.

The only character we see in the above Devil May Cry teaser is Dante. He’s got his red jacket, his guns, his white hair, and he’s ready to go. But in earlier conversations, creator and showrunner of the series Adi Shankar confirmed we’d see other familiar Devil May Cry characters. He noted, “I can confirm that Vergil is in it, as well as Lady, and of course Dante as well.” We can’t wait to see how these characters transform for the show.

The Anime Series Synopsis

Netflix also shared a logline for the Devil May Cry series; it notes:

In this animated adaptation of the popular Capcom game, sinister forces are at play to open the portal between the human and demon realms. In the middle of it all is Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, unaware that the fate of both worlds hangs around his neck.

We do love a sinister force. And an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire. Dante certainly does not seem aware the fate of multiple worlds is on his shoulders in the teaser clip, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens when he does.

Devil May Cry‘s Episode Count and More

Devil May Cry will be eight episodes long. Adi Shankar, as mentioned, is the showrunner and creator. Alex Larsen is the writer on the show. The series comes from Netflix, Capcom, and Studio MIR, so we know it is in good hands.

Shankar noted, “I’m honored that Netflix and Capcom have entrusted me to shepherd the Devil May Cry franchise. Alex Larsen and I love these characters; we are part of the fandom, and vow to surpass the exceptionally high bar we set for ourselves.”

Hopefully, we will know more about Devil May Cry very soon.

Originally published on September 27, 2023.

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The collectible fantasy card game Magic: The Gathering has been an institution for over thirty years. It has inspired video games, comic books, and novels alike. But despite announcing many a Magic: The Gathering TV or movie project over the years, most recently for Netflix, nothing ever came of them. Now, Magic: The Gathering is back from the dead at Netflix. The streamer has officially announced that a Magic: The Gathering animated event series is now in production, with a new creative direction from showrunner Terry Matalas. Folks may know Matalas as the showrunner of Star Trek: Picard’s popular third season. He is also the main creative voice behind Marvel Studios’ upcoming series about the android Avenger, the Vision.

The new Magic: The Gathering event series is made in partnership with Hasbro Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast, longtime owner of the franchise. A few years back, they announced that Netflix cast Brandon Routh from Superman Returns and Legends of Tomorrow in a lead role. Only that iteration of a Magic: The Gathering Netflix series never made it off the drawing board. Brandon Routh confirmed to Collider recently that despite recording lines for it, Netflix completely scrapped the version he was in.

This time, it seems production has at least begun on the new Magic: The Gathering series project. So it will likely see the light of day. Netflix describes this card-inspired creation as an “event series,” meaning that there is no guarantee of additional seasons. Event series seems to be the new word for mini-series. We are not sure what the plot of this new Magic: The Gathering series will be. We also have no idea which iteration of the franchise they will be drawing from. Also, we still have no clue as to when it’s actually dropping on the streaming service. Here’s hoping Netflix finally does justice to the iconic game that so many fans love the world over. Magic: The Gathering series, here we come!

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Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a new way to collect Pokémon cards that feels like a dream come true for collectors. The upcoming app for iOS and Android lets you rip open digital booster packs, organize your ever-growing collection of digital cards, and show off your favorites to your friends. I attended a preview event to play a demo of Pokémon TCG Pocket and chat with the game designers from Creatures and The Pokémon Company. Here’s what I learned about how the game’s collection, customization, and battling systems work.

Pokémon TCG Pocket Is All About Collecting Pokémon Cards

Whereas most Pokémon games tend to focus on battling, Pokémon TCG Pocket emphasizes the fun of collecting Pokémon cards. The app does offer the option to battle with your cards (more on that later), but dedicates a majority of its features to obtaining new cards, organizing them in your collection, and giving you numerous ways to showcase your favorites.

The Game Showcases Pokémon’s History of Iconic Artwork

Pokémon cards are famous for their especially eye-catching artwork. Over the years, Pokémon has only become more creative with their card designs. There are cards with artwork featuring abstract paintings, photographs of clay models, and even crochet dolls. Pokémon fans are truly spoiled with the amount of excellence poured into every card and the sheer variety of art on display. All of that is front and center in Pokémon TCG Pocket. The linework looks sharp and the colors are vibrant on the digital screen. The rarer a card is, the more flair it has, from shiny holofoil to 3D elements that make it pop out of the frame.

The game includes cards that fans will recognize from the physical Pokémon TCG as well as brand new cards created just for Pocket. Then there are new twists on classic cards. For example, the game has a Slowpoke card with its original Base Set artwork, and then a full-art variant that removes the frame to reveal lots of other Slowpoke crawling all over the card in humorous fashion.

You Can ‘Enter’ the Cards to See the World Beyond the Border

Pokémon TCG Pocket’s big showstopper that you won’t find anywhere else is its extremely rare but extremely awesome immersive cards. The first set, called Genetic Apex, has over 200 different cards, but only three of them are special immersive cards. Activating one of these card’s immersive effects takes you into the world of the card. The immersive Pikachu card starts out with art of a Pikachu in a forest. Then you’re taken on a quick, guided tour past the borders of the card and into the forest where various other Pokémon can be seen, from a herd of fiery Ponyta to a pair of Nidoran playing together. 

I won’t spoil the surprise of what happens in two particular immersive cards. I will say that I was impressed by how they were completely different from the Pikachu one, with their own unique music and visuals. These immersive cards were exciting to open up and practically begged for multiple viewings in order to catch a glimpse of all the cool Easter eggs inside. It’s nice to see that the game designers are taking full advantage of the digital format by doing cool things with the cards that can only happen in a digital space.

You Can Fully Customize Your Collection

Collecting the cards is only the beginning. When you get a new card, it populates on your Collection Board, which has filters to present your collection in different ways. Then, you’re free to show off your cards however you want. You can upgrade cards to have different kinds of flair. That’s right, now there’s no one to stop you from having the most sparkly Bulbasaur card there ever was. You can fill up one of many decorative binders with different cards you want to show off together. There’s also the option to pick a card to give the art-show treatment where it’s displayed on a fancy pedestal. When finish customizing your collection, you can put these various things on display for those on your friends list to see. 

The Battling System Is Pretty Much Pokémon’s Marvel Snap

Pokémon TCG Pocket’s battling system is a simplified version of the physical game. The deck size has been reduced from 60 cards to 20. The Bench went from five Pokémon slots to three. Energy cards have been removed entirely and replaced with an energy-generating system that provides one energy to attach to your Pokémon each turn. Instead of winning the game by taking six Prize cards, players must earn three points to claim victory. Players earn points by knocking out a Pokémon, with two points for defeating the more powerful Pokémon ex.

Pokémon TCG Pocket was designed by Creatures, the same folks who make the physical Pokémon TCG. “We really focused on [Pokémon TCG Pocket] perhaps being [a person’s] first experience and making it more friendly to new players,” Ryo Tsujikawa, Creative Director at Creatures, told us in a group interview. “There are fewer complicated elements in it, and fewer attacks on the cards, compared to the physical TCG.”

As a competitive Pokémon TCG player, I was fascinated to see how the game was reinvented for Pocket. Its matches that lasted five-ish minutes reminded me of Marvel Snap and its pared down game mechanics were reminiscent of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links. After using my beginner deck a few times to beat the computer on easy mode, I borrowed the Pokémon rep’s phone with a fully unlocked collection to use his Mewtwo ex deck. With a more advanced deck in my hands, I tried to win on the hardest difficulty. To my surprise and delight, the computer made strategically sound moves and kicked my butt with an Exeggutor ex deck filled with healing cards such as the Potion item and Erika’s supporter card.

How to Battle Other Players

In addition to fighting the computer, Pocket allows you to battle other players both locally and remote. I used the Auto-Build feature to generate a deck built from my modest collection and challenged another journalist to a battle. In the physical Pokémon TCG, Pokémon do such high damage that they knock out opposing Pokémon in just one or two attacks. Pocket’s Pokémon do smaller chunks of damage, so there was a lot of back-and-forth between my opponent and I as we tried to whittle down each other’s team. It was a nice change of pace. In the end, my opponent’s many Trainer cards made all the difference and he took the dub. 

Even though I didn’t have time to explore the battling system more in-depth, I was satisfied knowing that Pocket’s less complex spin on the game would still challenge players. It felt like the designers put a lot of thought into how to keep the game both fun and balanced in this new form. A big change is how Pocket introduces a new rule that says the player who goes first cannot attach an energy. It also reduces the impact of Pokémon weakness. I thought these were smart changes that made the game feel more fair. When we asked if Pokémon TCG Pocket will have a competitive circuit and be part of the annual Pokémon World Championships, a Pokémon rep told us to stay tuned for more info.

Why Did Pokémon Make a Second TCG Video Game?

As it turns out, there’s already a digital Pokémon card game called Pokémon TCG Live. It has similar features to Pocket, allowing you to collect digital cards and use them to battle (with the full rules). It begs the question why the Pokémon Company decided to make a second digital card game when they already have one. Keita Hirobe, Executive Corporate Officer at The Pokémon Company, explained that while Pocket and Live are similar, they serve different purposes.

“We view [Pokémon TCG Live] as more of an extension of the physical trading card game. It’s something for players who want to learn the rules of the physical trading card game. They are able to have this easy-to-use tool to test decks and learn the rules of the game and ultimately have that inform their physical trading card game knowledge,” Hanawa said.

“Pocket is our idea to make [the Pokémon TCG] more approachable and accessible to a wider range of players. I think it’s also different than a lot of digital trading card games. In other trading card games and digital trading card games, the focus is primarily on battle. And while we do have a really rich battle system that’s going to be very fun to play, we equally focus on the card collecting experience. So we wanted to kind of have both of those elements in a digital game application.”

Pokémon TCG Pocket Is ‘Free to Start’

Pokémon TCG Pocket is “free to start,” and we all know what that means: numerous digital currencies, time-gated activities, battle passes, and real-money microtransactions. Pocket gives players two free packs every day. For those who want to fill out their collection faster, you can either fork over real cash or complete missions to earn a currency to exchange for more packs. A mission can be anything from obtaining a certain set of Pokémon cards to completing certain in-game tasks. (While we’re talking about getting more booster packs, I should note that the code cards for a free digital booster pack found in physical Pokémon TCG packs can only work in Live and don’t work in Pocket.)

A single booster pack in Pocket has five cards, and from what we could tell there is no guaranteed rare or holo in each pack like there is with physical packs. There’s also a “Wonder Pick” mode that lets you copy the contents of a friend’s booster pack and pick one card at random to add to your collection. 

The developers said they spent a lot of time making the pack-opening experience enjoyable. They did this by creating a pleasing tearing sound when you open a pack, allowing you to pick from a selection of 12 unique packs, and giving you the choice to open the pack from the front or the back. It’s not uncommon for collectors to have their own personal pack opening rituals for good luck, so it seems intentional that the designers offer so many ways you can customize how you open boosters. 

Pokémon TCG Pocket launches globally on October 30, 2024.

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Star Wars is all about that trilogy format. So it should come as no surprise that the mega-popular video game franchise that began with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor will conclude with a third game, already in development. We’ve known another game was definitely coming from developer Respawn. But we now know for certain it will be the final chapter in the adventures of Cal Kestis. Via Games Radar, we’ve learned that Laura Miele, president of entertainment at EA, discussed the series as part of the company’s future plans. Here’s what she had to say about the eventual final chapter of the series:

Over 40 million Star Wars fans have connected with Cal Kestis and his arc of becoming a powerful Jedi. Respawn is working hard to bring the final chapter of this thrilling story to players.

So we don’t have any kind of timeframe for the game’s release yet. And we doubt it will be coming within the next year or so. We certainly don’t have a name for the game yet (Jedi Requiem? Jedi Legacy? Who knows!) There were three years between Fallen Order and Survivor. Right now, we’d say the third game is as anticipated as the next Star Wars movie or Disney+ series.

Will Cal Kestis survive the events of the upcoming third game? After all, how many Jedi can there possibly still be in the era of the original trilogy? Between Ahsoka, Ezra Bridger, and about a dozen others, it seems Yoda saying to Luke in Return of the Jedi “When gone am I, the last of the Jedi you will be” was somewhat exaggerated. Whatever the case may be, the Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order/Jedi Survivor games are so popular that we’re pretty sure fans are willing to throw continuity out the window if it means a triumphant finale for Cal Kestis.

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Something new is coming to the world of tabletop roleplaying games, and that’s Critical Role‘s answer to Dungeons & Dragons, Daggerheart. Critical Role shares, “Daggerheart [is] our contribution to the world of high-fantasy tabletop roleplaying games. Daggerheart is a game of brave heroics and vibrant worlds that are built together with your gaming group. Create a shared story with your adventuring party, and shape your world through rich, long-term campaign play.” And now, you can officially pre-order Daggerheart and get ready to play. Critical Role’s original TTRPG game is available to purchase now in a standard “Core Set” version or as a limited-edition collectible which will feature “a GM screen, a dice set, a rip pad of character sheets, and tokens, as well as a sweeping alternate cover art treatment.” Daggerheart will officially ship/release in Spring 2025.

As far as game mechanics go, in Daggerheart will “players roll one HOPE die and one FEAR die (both 12-sided dice), which will ultimately impact the outcome for your characters. This duality between the forces of hope and fear on every hero drives the unique character-focused narratives in Daggerheart.” The game will also involve a card system that “makes it easy to get started and satisfying to grow your abilities by bringing your characters’ background and capabilities to your fingertips.

Ancestry and Community cards describe where you come from and how your experience shapes your customs and values. Meanwhile, your Subclass and Domain cards grant your character plenty of tantalizing abilities to choose from as your character evolves.”

Daggerheart Open Beta Playtest has now launched globally.

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Colonel Sanders is coming to Funko Fusion. Yes, the KFC mascot, based on the real person who created the chain, will be shooting at monsters with a bucket full of chicken nuggets. He, also, of course, has his cane at the ready for bashing in opponents. I wouldn’t want to cross Colonel Sanders on the battlefield myself. You can check him out in action below. You can also dress Colonel Sanders in two additional outfits, Mecha Colonel Sanders or Chef Colonel Sanders, if you’re a member of KFC Rewards Members.

A release shares the following:

The outfits for Mecha Colonel Sanders and Chef Colonel Sanders are redeemable exclusively for KFC Rewards members in the United States of America via the KFC app, beginning this Friday. Redeem the exclusive Chef Colonel outfit immediately (no points needed) and redeem 250 KFC Rewards points to get the Mecha Colonel outfit. KFC Rewards is KFC’s loyalty program, allowing customers to earn 10 points for every eligible dollar spent, which can be redeemed for free food and special offers such as these characters. 

1. Sign up for free or sign in to your existing Rewards account at https://www.kfc.com/login 
2. In the rewards section, click “Redeem” to claim your reward (KFC Chef Colonel or KFC Mecha Colonel). 
3. Receive a unique code on your KFC Rewards registered email.
4. Enter the code on www.funkofusion.com/redeem and follow instructions to unlock your limited-edition Colonel outfits in Funko Fusion.

In addition to playing as KFC’s Colonel Sanders in Funko Fusion, players can play as Shaun from Shaun of the Dead, He-Man, Marty McFly, and The Walking Dead comic books’ Rick Grimes and Michonne. (Whom we love.)

Funko Fusion released on September 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, and will release on November 15 for PlayStation 4. Funko Fusion launches digitally for Nintendo Switch this December, with the Nintendo Switch physical edition launching in March 2025.

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As a child of the ’90s, I am always on high alert no matter where I go. That’s because you never know when you’ll be called on to find where in the world is Carmen Sandiego. The famed thief could be anywhere at anytime. Until now. Soon you’ll know exactly where to find her: a new video game from Netflix that will allow you to stop chasing her entirely. That’s because for the first-time ever you’ll be able to actually be Carmen Sandiego in a video game.

HarperCollins Productions and Gameloft are teaming up for a brand-new single-player premium puzzle adventure game. Carmen Sandiego is going to upend her original 1985 game Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?. In that iteration, she headed up the global crime syndicate VILE, as players chased her around the globe. This time they’ll instead put on her iconic scarlet jacket and hat. They will then “experience the thrill of being the notorious super thief as they navigate a world of espionage, utilize high-tech gadgets, and ultimately capture VILE.”

The game’s official announcement trailer provides a great look at the art and game-style. The official press release also shared more about what players can expect during their travels:

The Carmen Sandiego game will enable players to traverse the globe, immersing themselves in vibrant cultures while visiting iconic cities and landmarks. From the bustling streets of Rio de Janeiro to the picturesque shrines in Tokyo, every corner of the world becomes their playground as they unravel elaborate capers and bring VILE’s most elusive criminals to justice. Every decision players make will shape the outcome as they compile dossiers and race against the clock to foil VILE’s nefarious plans. Whether playing through story-driven campaigns or classic modes, this modernized Carmen Sandiego experience promises to enthrall both new and long-time fans alike.

The Carmen Sandiego game will initially debut early next year exclusively at Netflix. The streaming site is also home to the character’s animated series that premiered in 2019. It’s also where a live-action film starring Gina Rodriguez is in production. The game will then arrive on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam. It will not feature any in-game purchases (yay!) or online play (boo!).

Until it does, though, keep your eyes out. Until you are Carmen Sandiego she could be anywhere.

The post New CARMEN SANDIEGO Video Game Will Finally Let You Play as the Iconic Thief appeared first on Nerdist.

The massive box office success of the video game adaptation Five Nights at Freddy’s last Halloween took everyone by surprise. Though to many, this adaptation of a beloved game has been years in coming. So of course, a Five Nights at Freddy’s sequel is in play. We may get it soon, too. Star Josh Hutcherson, while speaking to Variety, said “I know they’re in the process right now of nailing down the story, and they want to get going as soon as possible.” He added that his The Hunger Games co-star Jennifer Lawrence even texted him after the film’s big success. She told him “My movie’s #1 on Netflix, and yours is #1 at the box office! Let’s go!” This news was recently confirmed at CinemaCon, where Universal revealed the Five Nights at Freddy’s sequel was officially a go.

So, just how soon is soon? Universal and Blumhouse have confirmed the Five Night’s at Freddy’s sequel will have a release date of December 2, 2025. If this seems too soon, remember it’s not uncommon for big horror franchise films. At its peak, the Saw franchise was putting out a movie once a year. During their ’80s heyday, the Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchises dropped a movie a year too. For a Five Nights at Freddy’s sequel to shoot in mere months makes sense. And that’s what is happening because, according to Collider, filming will commence in October 2024.

In true Blumhouse fashion, the studio made Five Nights at Freddy’s for only $20 million dollars, and its box office gross finished out at $300 million worldwide. Even more amazing is that the movie made so much at the domestic box office even though it also streamed on Peacock. The fanbase really wanted the theatrical experience for this one. The Blumhouse way has always been about making low-budget horror and getting huge returns on their investments. And Five Nights at Freddy’s is one of their biggest successes in this regard.

Originally published on January 8, 2024.

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We’re currently in the middle of a full-on Sonicssaince. Everyone’s favorite Blue Blur now headlines a big screen live-action cinematic universe that shows no signs of slowing down. It’s a good time to know him. If you do and are lucky enough to get invited to his next red carpet premiere we know exactly what you should wear. OppoSuits latest pop culture creation is a speedy way to look stylish while also celebrating the Sega Genesis icon. The company’s Sonic the Hedgehog suit and tie combo is a colorful, wearable ode to the beloved speedster.

The Sonic the Hedgehog Two-Piece Suit & Tie set from OppSuits is a vibrant flash of color and characters. In addition to Sonic himself, the blue-hued suit and matching neckwear feature franchise favorites like Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, Cheese the Chao, and more. Like Sonic himself, this is some seriously flashy attire.

The un-hemmed, 100% polyester suit comes with zip fly flat-front trousers. They have a button-tab closure, slant pockets, and back pockets. The lined jacket is also adorned with notched lapels, four-button cuffs, chest pocket, flap pockets, interior pockets, and side vents. All those many pockets will come in handy when you need some place to store all the gold rings you pick up while wearing it. (We also imagine some people will also give gold rings when they see you run down the street in these clothes.)

You can also some of those gold coins to actually pay for the suit. You can grab yours from Nordstrom’s online shop for $119.99. If you’re wondering how they…ahem…run, the company says its Sonic the Hedgehog Two-Piece Suit & Tie set is “true to size.”

It’s also true to something else: the Sonicssaince. We’re all living in Sonic the Hedgehog’s world these days. It’s only fitting we dress for it.

The post SONIC THE HEDGEHOG Suit and Tie Is a Speedy Way to Look Stylish appeared first on Nerdist.

The Boy and the Heron finally sets a US streaming release date. Meanwhile, Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Karlach and Astarion strike out on their own adventure (and also get featured on Magic cards). New Disney American Girl dolls have arrived. So did Borderlands, but not to great applause. Here are all these news odds & ends, and more.

Andrew Garfield Says He Will NOT Be in Spider-Man 4

In an interview with IndieWire, Andrew Garfield shut down the rumors that his Spidey would appear in the MCU’s upcoming Spider-Man 4. “The internet is a big place,” Garfield said. “I think there’s a lot of people who will just say anything to get clicks. So you might have been duped, I’m afraid.”

I mean, he could be lying (again) about playing Spidey in a new movie (again). We shall see…

Star Trek Day

Star Trek Day is coming on September 8! To celebrate, the premiere episodes of several series and Short Treks will be available to watch for free from September 7-13 on Amazon, Apple, Roku, Paramount+’s Official YouTube page, Pluto TV and on the Paramount+ free content hub (in the US only). Here’s the total list:

Terrifier 3

Terrifier 3 released a teaser trailer for its Christmas-themed outing. In addition to many jump scares, it includes Art the Clown making blood angels… Very festive. And now it’s followed up with an officially naughty trailer. Check them out above and below.

Terrifier 3 releases on October 11. Its description notes, “In Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting’s Terrifier 3, directed once again by Damien Leone, Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) is set to unleash another round of chaos on the unsuspecting residents of Miles County as they peacefully drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve.”

Twisters and Superman

The Twisters cast adorably celebrated the news that their fellow co-star David Corenswet had been officially cast in the DCU’s Superman by James Gunn.

Star Wars

Get ready for a Star Wars wedding. Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Phase III – The Wedding Spectacular One Shot reveals the gorgeous wedding of Lula Talisolia and Zeen Mralia, freedom fighters gathering the resistance against the Nihil. It will bring together the talents of creators Daniel José Older and Harvey Tolibao along with Toni Bruno, Nick Brokenshire and many others. Additionally, the one-shot features “main cover art from Cherriielle,” and “two incredible variant covers that fans will need to collect to see every inch of the beauty this wedding has to offer. 5healthMONO showcases their energetic style in one variant, while Priscilla Bampoh’s iconic artistry completes the variant set.”

The description of the Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Phase III – The Wedding Spectacular One Shot shares:

The time has finally come to gather the resistance forces on Eriadu to witness Lula Talisola and Zeen Mrala, the young freedom fighters championing the fight against the Nihil, join hands in marriage. Friends and family throughout the galaxy will be joining in the celebration of light, life and love. But just in case, the dress code does include holstered weapons, as war could break out at any moment!

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures Phase III – The Wedding Spectacular One Shot releases in stores on December 18, 2024. You can make sure you have a copy waiting at your local comic shop today, the one shot will cost $5.99.

Baldur’s Gate 3

If you’re a Baldur’s Gate 3 fan with a bit of chaotic evil in you, strap in. Larian Studios has shared a teaser for a new Dark Urge game ending. But beware spoilers abound.

Other evil endings are also on the way. These will come in Patch 7, releasing this September.

LEGO Pixar: Bricktoons 

A new LEGO series is here, LEGO Pixar: BrickToons. A release shares more about this brand-new series of shorts featuring classic Pixar characters. It notes, “Join some of your favorite LEGO Pixar characters for all-new adventures!  Sing along with Miguel in the Land of the Dead, help Merida and her brothers through a beary rocky situation, take an epic field trip with Nemo, Marlin, and Dory, watch the Parr family try to save their neighborhood from Syndrome, and join Mater as he prepares Lightning McQueen for his next big race!”

All five episodes of LEGO Pixar: BrickToons release on Disney+ on September 4.

Pacific Rim

A Pacific Rim prequel series is on the way from Legendary Entertainment and Eric Heisserer. Little is known about the series yet except that it will serve as an origin story for the Pacific Rim world.

Indiana Jones

An Indiana Jones hat worn by Harrison Ford in Temple of Doom just sold at auction for $630,000. The hat belonged to Ford’s stunt double Dean Ferrandini, who also wore the hat in the film. You can spy this expensive headwear in the Temple of Doom scene where Wilhelmina “Willie” Scott, played by Kate Capshaw, Short Round, played by Ke Huy Quan, and Indiana Jones, played, by Ford, use a raft to jump from a crashing plane to safety.

Pokémon

All your favorite Pokémon are now the stars of a flight safety video. You can learn how to correctly buckle your seat belts and what to do in the event of an emergency with Pikachu and the gang. Check it out above.

Baldur’s Gate 3 (Part 2)

Astarion and Karlach, two of our favorite Baldur’s Gate 3 companions will be featured in a Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair drop celebrating Dungeons & Dragons. The Secret Lair x Dungeons & Dragons® 50th Anniversary Superdrop will feature, among others, the following two cards:

• Secret Lair x Dungeons & Dragons®: Astarion’s Thirst 
• Secret Lair x Dungeons & Dragons®: Karlach’s Rage 

In addition to the above, we now know which four other cards are included in the Astarion’s Thirst Secret Lair drop. In total the five Astarion cards are: Astarion, The Decadent, Exquisite Blood, Anguished Unmaking, Sanguine Bond, and Mortify. Check them out below.

Click To View Gallery

We can’t wait to roll for these. The Astarion drop will be accompanied by four other Magic: The Gathering drops. These Secret Lair drops will arrive on August 27. Each one will cost $29.99, with foil variants available at $39.99 each.

RSVLTS @ D23

If you’re heading to D23, make sure to stop by RSVLTS’ booth, Booth #8002, also known as the Workshop of Wonders. There you’ll find some very special exclusives that come from the minds of Disney imagineer Tony Baxter and the dynamic artist/creative tandem of James C. Mulligan & Michael Mulligan, alongside the RSVLTS team. The theme of this ten-shirt collection is “Magic & Mystery,” so of course, there’s no one better than experienced Disney creative minds to have along.

RSVLTS will also showcase eight officially licensed Disney x RSVLTS pins that match the shirt designs available at D23. It’s truly a magical line-up. You can take a look at what’s available below. We know we’re obsessed with that Lion King button-up.

Borderlands

The Borderlands movie reviews have started to arrive and things don’t look too great for the movie. Borderlands debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a 0% rating (and remained there after more than 20 reviews had been shared). It has since climbed up to 7%.

The CEO of Take-Two, the company that owns Gearbox, which created and owns the Borderlands franchise, is not despairing, though. Strauss Zelnick notes, “Let’s give the film a chance. A lot of people worked really hard on it. The underlying intellectual property is phenomenal, the cast is amazing, and I think the look and feel are really terrific. So let’s see what audiences have to say.”

It’s always possible the audience score and the critical score could be vastly different. But that is quite a rocky start for Borderlands.

Deadpool & Wolverine

One of the funniest “jokes” in Deadpool & Wolverine involved the idea that Hugh Jackman would play Wolverine for Marvel Studios until he was 85. Whether or not that’s the reality of things, Hugh Jackman is mentally preparing himself for it. Check out his dread-filled Instagram post that simply says, 2058. Good luck with playing Old Man Logan, Hugh Jackman. The concept is right there, after all…

Pierre Escargot

The people spoke, and Kenan Thompson brought back Pierre Escargot. It’s pretty hoh-hoh-hilarious. Check it out above.

Disney x American Girl

American Girls have been icons of the doll world for generations. And now they’re teaming up with some even bigger super stars. That’s right, you can now American Girl versions of Ariel, Cinderella, and Tiana. And newly added to the collection are Frozen‘s Anna and Elsa and Rapunzel. It’s the greatest crossover the world has ever seen. These iconic dolls are available for purchase now.

Click To View Gallery

The Boy and the Heron

Hayao Miyazaki’s award-winning film The Boy and the Heron is finally coming to streaming in the US. The Studio Ghibli movie will stream on Max beginning on September 6. It joins the rest of the Studio Ghibli library exclusively available on the streamer.

A synopsis of the The Boy and the Heron shares:

After losing his mother in a hospital fire, young Mahito moves to his family’s estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito’s new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower, and enters a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world, and the truth about himself. Featuring the voices of Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Robert Pattinson, and Florence Pugh.

Baldur’s Gate 3 (Part 3)

Two of your favorite Baldur’s Gate 3 companions, Karlach and Astarion, recently teamed up to go on an adventure all their own. Samantha Béart, who voices Karlach, and Neil Newbon, who voices Astarion, participated in GenCon’s live Dungeons & Dragons show and explored what the duo might get up to if Tav didn’t invite them into their party. The description for the video shares, “Astarion and Karlach from Baldur’s Gate 3 strike out on their own adventure after Tav doesn’t choose them for their adventuring party, meeting new friends and encountering challenges as they explore the Underdark.”

Sounds delightful!

Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.

Originally published on August 7, 2024.

The post Andrew Garfield Will NOT Be in SPIDER-MAN 4, A STAR WARS Wedding, and Other News Odds & Ends appeared first on Nerdist.

A month into playing Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies, the latest release of the Disney-inspired trading card game, and I can’t get enough of how joyful it is. The new cards and the way they complement and contrast each other are a delight. It’s a time of celebration in the realm of Lorcana since Ursula was defeated. Everything feels lighter and freer. That theme continues in the Shimmering Skies Illumineer’s Trove. Ravensburger sent us a copy, along with new accessories for Disney Lorcana that show a big jump in quality.

Shimmering Skies Illumineer’s Trove

As ever, the Illumineer’s Trove remains a deal. It comes with eight booster packs, a lore counter, card dividers, six dice for marking damage, and a storage box. The retail price is $49.99. As ever, the Trove’s look changes to match the current story. With Shimmering Skies, the overall color palette is lighter on the ink divider cards and the lore counter. This set of dice is clear and sparkly with purple numbers. It’s true that my Illumineer’s Trove boxes are starting to stack up, but I’m in for the different dividers and the dice.

New Disney Lorcana Accessories

Where the Shimmering Skies release really shines is with new accessories. Instead of a gift set, Ravensburger released different accessories, including portfolios and card sleeves. I’m happy to say both items have come a long way in construction and durability since the first Disney Lorcana release.  The portfolios have nine pockets per page and 14 pages. That means they hold 252 cards each, which is well over a full set for one Lorcana release. The pages, cover, and elastic band are sturdy. I trust these portfolios to keep my cards safe, and I’d use them to transport cards I might want to trade during league play. Though the portfolio has a character design option, I’m so glad Ravensburger offered a portfolio with the Lorcana image from the backs of the cards.

Similarly, they have card sleeves with that same image, which I think of as the Lorcana logo. Sleeves with character designs are fun, but I love the logo art. The card sleeves are a huge step up from the past offerings, too. For example, the seams aren’t prone to ripping. The material is thicker and better, all around. I put enough faith in them to hold an Enchanted card I pulled from a separate booster pack—but only temporarily until I could dig out a Dragon Shield sleeve. Though the Lorcana sleeves have vastly improved, I don’t know if I’m ready for them to be my go-to card sleeves.

Disney Lorcana’s new accessories and the Shimmering Skies Illumineer’s Trove are available from your local game store and mass market retailers.

Featured Image: Ravensburger

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It’s time to go on a magical mystery tour… through Minecraft‘s world, but this time in live-action cinematic form. Hoo-boy. We’re in for quite the wild ride. It’s a blocky world and we’re all just living in it, that’s for sure. The Minecraft live-action movie seemed like a fever dream as it suddenly appeared on the scene with its star-studded cast and massive franchise world to pull from. Just what kind of story could a Minecraft live-action movie tell? Well, if this trailer is any indication A Minecraft Movie will tell an incredibly fun story, one that’s a visual delight.

You can check out the first trailer for A Minecraft Movie below.

Jack Black and Jason Momoa, of course, lead this spectacular cast. Additionally, A Minecraft Movie stars Emma Myers (“Wednesday”), Oscar nominee Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple”), Sebastian Eugene Hansen (“Just Mercy, “Lisey’s Story”), and Jennifer Coolidge.

To help us make sense of the trailer, A Minecraft Movie‘s synopsis shares more about the story we can expect from the film. It notes of this game-inspired movie:

Welcome to the world of Minecraft, where creativity doesn’t just help you craft, it’s essential to one’s survival!  Four misfits—Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Momoa), Henry (Hansen), Natalie (Myers) and Dawn (Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination.  To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Black).  Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.

Piglins, Zombies, and Steve, oh my! This honestly feels like the perfect cast to tackle such a wacky offering. And honestly, weaving an original story in with Minecraft‘s iconic cubic background was exactly the right way to go for a live-action movie take on the world. While, of course, acknowledging legacy facets of Minecraft like Steve, played by Jack Black, who we meet in the movie trailer. Steve, of course, is one of Minecraft‘s first official player characters. However, to date, he has no official backstory. We wonder if A Minecraft movie will give him one. either way, we bet this movie-game combo will end up going very Meta, very quickly, and we can’t wait to hop onto the ride and into the world.

When Does A Minecraft Movie Release?

A Minecraft Movie will release in theaters on April 4, 2025.

Editor’s Note: Nerdist is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.

The post A MINECRAFT MOVIE’s Trailer Is Delightfully Unhinged appeared first on Nerdist.

The time for the underdog to step into the spotlight is overdue. Overdue, we say! We’re changing the narrative with Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode, an immersive actual play podcast and video series. This story is about the characters that are usually the bad guys, not the heroes. The cast plays skeletons and a goblin. Meet everyone in the first trailer for Goblin Mode and see just how delightful weird little monsters can be.

We sense hijinks and chaos ahead.

Game Master Amy Vorpahl (Dimension 20, Critical Role) leads the intrepid cast and special guest stars through an exciting, and often hilarious, adventure. Danielle Radford (Dimension 20, Honest Trailers), Dan Casey (Nerdist, Geek & Sundry), and Jason Nguyen (Westbrook Media, Legendary) star in the series. They all bring their storytelling and improv skills to the table.

From critical failures to successes, we can’t wait to see what this crew does. The adventure is set in the original world of Sundaros, a land once ruled by godlike beings and now plunged into chaos following their disappearance. Goblin Mode tells the story of a group of genuine underdogs. Not traditional fantasy heroes, but undead skeletons and toothy goblins serving a foul necromancer in a dank dungeon. But with the evil overlord they once served now vanquished, their destiny is in their own hands for the very first time. What will they do next?

Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode will release 60-90 minute episodes every Monday across Realm (listen to it wherever you listen to podcasts!) and Geek & Sundry‘s YouTube channel. The series premieres on September 9.

Sign up for the Geek & Sundry newsletter to get the latest about Goblin Mode and more!

The post SAGAS OF SUNDRY: GOBLIN MODE’s Trailer Reveals an Adventure for Weird Little Monsters appeared first on Nerdist.

Get ready for another round of adventure, excitement, and murder men as the campaign of Prime Video’s The Legend of Vox Machina gears up for a third season. The new season will consist of 12 episodes, premiering October 3, with the streaming service’s usual three episodes, followed by weekly drops thereafter. So 10 weeks of Vox Machina is what we’re saying. We’ve already seen the season’s new title sequence, and now to get you more hype, Prime has a brand new The Legend of Vox Machina trailer for you to check out below!

They’re still the same band of goobers, but it’s never been more dire for them as they have to (literally) go to hell and back to save Exandria from Thordak and his army. The Chroma Conclave’s path of destruction spreads like wildfire while the Cinder King hunts down Vox Machina. Our lovable band of misfits must rise above inner (and outer) demons to try and save their loved ones, Tal’Dorei, and all of Exandria. It’s bad news bears. But this The Legend of Vox Machina trailer gets us excited to see what’s in store this season.

The Legend of Vox Machina is an Amazon MGM Studios, Critical Role, and Titmouse production for Prime Video. The series stars Critical Role founders and cast members Laura Bailey (The Last of Us: Part II), Taliesin Jaffe (World of Warcraft), Ashley Johnson (The Last of Us), Liam O’Brien (Marvel’s Avengers), Matthew Mercer (Baldur’s Gate 3), Marisha Ray (Fallout 76), Sam Riegel (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and Travis Willingham (Marvel’s Avengers). The Critical Role cast also serves as executive producers alongside Brandon Auman (Star Wars: Resistance), Chris Prynoski (Metalocalypse), Shannon Prynoski (Fairfax), and Ben Kalina (Big Mouth).

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

The post THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA Unveils Season 3 Trailer and Key Art appeared first on Nerdist.

Ever since Mighty Morphin Power Rangers first hit the airwaves in August 1993, these spandex-clad teenagers with attitude have powered up many video game consoles. From arcade beat ’em ups to fighting games that spawn communities of dedicated competitors, the Power Rangers have inspired a number of video games in their 30-plus years of saving the world. 

Regrettably, not all Power Rangers games deserve reverence. Like a lot of kid-oriented licensed video games in the ’90s and 2000s, Power Rangers games primarily functioned to siphon parents’ money and distract kids. (Boy, did they!) And with an annual reboot, these games were clearly developed on rushed schedules. Compared to rivals X-Men and Ninja Turtles, the Power Rangers rank quite low in the hierarchy of superhero gaming franchises.

Still, Power Rangers games have their appeal. When your thumbs are itching to mindlessly pummel monsters and you’re feeling like it’s morphin’ time, reach for a Power Rangers game. In celebration of National Power Rangers Day and in anticipation of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind coming soon, let’s rank the best Power Rangers games of all time.

7. Power Rangers Super Legends (2007) on PlayStation 2

Disney acquired the rights from Saban to own Power Rangers in 2002. To mark the franchise’s 15th anniversary, Disney unleashed “Power Rangers Super Legends,” a multimedia initiative that released anniversary-themed toys, merchandise, and yes, video games. 

A2M, known today as Behaviour Interactive (Dead by Daylight) joined Power Rangers’ quinceañera with Power Rangers Super Legends for the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS. Impressively, the games are not the same. While both games center around different generations of Power Rangers teaming up to stop a vengeful Lord Zedd, they each have a different narrative and a different roster of playable Power Rangers.

While the DS version gets the edge for simply having more Power Rangers to play as, the PS2 version tells a more robust story via fully-voiced “cutscenes.” (It’s just comic book-style panels, but still. Steve Blum does a great Lord Zedd, too.) What’s important here is the mere fact that Power Rangers Super Legends marked the first time a Power Rangers game was more than annual shovelware. Before fans had amazing comics that explored Power Rangers’ mighty morphin multiverse, they got to see a bigger, expansive future through Super Legends.

6. Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (2000) on GameBoy Color

After the three games based on Power Rangers Zeo, the franchise powered down from gaming; instead, there was a string of now-forgotten Flash games on the Fox Kids website. In 2000, the Power Rangers came roaring back to consoles with Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue on PlayStation, GameBoy Color, and Nintendo 64.

Of the three, the GameBoy Color game deserves recognition. Living up to that year’s premise of emergency rescue, Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue tasks players with accomplishing three missions in five districts of the city Mariner Bay. There’s “Rescue,” where players save civilians trapped in burning buildings. Then you have “Battle,” where players revisit the same levels to mow down hordes of monsters. The final mission is “Megazord,” which is the climactic Megazord vs. kaiju confrontation.

The open-ended mission structure gives players a freedom of choice. It’s a nice change of pace from the franchise’s tired history of linearity. The “Rescue” missions happen to be the most fun too, with players having to jump over fires, climb broken ladders, and break through walls to rescue people. Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue really feels like you’re a superhero in that way. It’s an aspect that many superhero games, even big triple-A titles, often forget all about.

5. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994) and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) on SEGA Game Gear

The overnight popularity of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in 1993 spawned a number of games across Nintendo and Sega platforms. Arguably the best of them were the two games on Sega’s signature handheld, the Game Gear. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers basically adapts the first season of the show, while the “sequel” Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie combines season two with the plot of the 1995 movie. (That means Tommy is the White Ranger and the final boss is Ivan Ooze.)

A novel mixture of one-on-one fighting and arcade-style beat ’em ups, Mighty Morphin on Game Gear lets players control their favorite Rangers against waves of Putties before squaring off with Goldar and one of several monsters-of-the-week. The biggest challenge is the survival aspect to the game, with players needing to preserve as much of their health bar to make it to the bosses.

Mighty Morphin makes the most of the Game Gear’s limitations, namely its scant two buttons. Akin to Street Fighter, the game affords players directional inputs to perform a variety of offensive maneuvers, including unique weapon attacks and even wrestling throws. There’s a lot of surprising depth in these games, and it’s astonishing how well they hold up years later. Along with vivid 8-bit graphics and crunchy sound effects, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on Game Gear is still mighty as it satisfies the specific gaming need I call “waiting at the DMV.” 

4. Power Rangers: Legacy Wars (2017) on iOS, Android

As the PG-13 reboot movie Saban’s Power Rangers headed into theaters, Lionsgate and Saban got in on the action with a tie-in game on mobile devices. But the big twist no one saw coming was that Power Rangers: Legacy Wars was anything but a cheap cash-in. 

A one-on-one fighter for iOS and Android devices, Power Rangers: Legacy Wars trades hysteric button mashing for strategic MMO-style actions where players perform certain moves at different intervals. More chess than boxing, Power Rangers: Legacy Wars is an even balance of strategy and pulse-pounding action. 

The most appealing feature of Legacy Wars is its scope that encompasses all eras of Power Rangers, from the original TV series to the 2017 movie and beyond. The game’s unexpected long lifespan, lasting longer than the movie it was made to promote, allowed Power Rangers to enjoy its first prestigious gaming crossover with Street Fighter in 2018. Years after release, Power Rangers: Legacy Wars has been downloaded over 50 million times and features an expansive roster of nearly 150 characters. Not bad for a game promoting a movie promoting Krispy Kreme.

3. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Fighting Edition (1995) on Super Nintendo

Towards the end of the Super Nintendo’s lifecycle, the tenth Power Rangers game arrived in September 1995: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Fighting Edition, exclusively on SNES.

Changing things up from the many beat ’em ups—and stepping up from the lackluster Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on Sega Genesis—The Fighting Edition (TFE) is a standout one-on-one console fighter with superb graphics and animation, a killer soundtrack, and addictive pick-up-and-play mechanics. It’s not as complex as The King of Fighters ’94, but there is undoubtedly a generation of EVO competitors who likely got their start here.

The downside of TFE is its anemic roster of eight playable characters: four Megazords, and four monsters including Goldar and Lord Zedd. Whether it was due to the SNES’ technical limitations (a poor excuse, since Super Street Fighter II had a whopping 16 fighters) or the short timetable the devs had, TFE suffers as a brilliant game cut off at its knees. 

In a dream scenario, the definitive version of The Fighting Edition would have more characters. My fantasy additions: the original Dino Megazord, Dragonzord, Tigerzord (on its own), Ninjor, Ivan Ooze, and a few more monsters from all three seasons of the show. This would not only make The Fighting Edition the ultimate Mighty Morphin Power Rangers game, but the ultimate mecha-versus-monsters game of the 16-bit era. 

2. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) on SEGA Genesis

When Power Rangers first hit the big screen in 1995, there of course came an array of licensed video games. On Super Nintendo, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie was basically a movie-themed reskin of the ’94 game (a scenario also seen on GameBoy and Game Gear), but the SEGA Genesis title forged its own path. 

Using a brand new engine, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie on Genesis—yet another arcade-style beat ’em up—features its own sprites, sound effects including audible “Hi-yahs,” and even MIDI covers of Ron Wasserman’s iconic battle songs heard on the TV show. 

On top of that, the game is a sheer blast to play, fostering an experience that just feels like an episode of Power Rangers in 16-bit form. Dare we say it: This is as close a competitor the Power Rangers franchise has to rival Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time. Simply put, no game simultaneously exemplifies its era of gaming or the license it’s inspired by more than this. If only the Power Rangers themselves played differently…

1. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid (2019) on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Stadia

When Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid arrived in early 2019, as essentially a console version of Power Rangers: Legacy Wars, low expectations were barely met. The game was in rough shape with no single-player story modes, no voice-over, and a tiny roster (12 characters feels small when your fighting game is 3-versus-3). The game was like playing with Power Rangers action figures in a library, and major gaming outlets reviewed it accordingly.

But something amazing happened. Over time, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid received TLC, with update after update fine-tuning its gameplay and new features added that turned it away from the low-rent experience it felt at first. This included a single-player campaign written by acclaimed comics writer Kyle Higgins, voice-acting with some Power Rangers stars reprising their roles (including the late Jason David Frank), and over a dozen new characters from all eras of the franchise – not to mention, a second Street Fighter crossover.

After years of updates, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid is easily the best Power Rangers video game of all time. Shockingly, it is one of the most fun console fighters in modern gaming. It’s accessible on almost every major platform. And thanks to crossplay and rollback netcode, it’s easy to play with friends regardless of consoles. (That it was on Stadia truly made Power Rangers one of the most cross-play compatible titles ever.) While fans have expressed disappointment that developer nWay has gone silent about the game’s future, if it indeed has one, it’s a testament to the game’s appeal that it now boasts a thriving community. Whatever the future holds for Battle for the Grid, you can bet its hardcore fans will keep the power alive.

Honorable Mention: Chroma Squad (2015), multiplatform

Outside the United States, there are legions of die-hard fans of Super Sentai, the original Japanese television franchise that Power Rangers sourced itself from.

In 2015, Brazilian studio Behold Studios paid homage to their childhood nostalgia with the Kickstarter-funded Chroma Squad, a unique tactical RPG with a glorious retro art style and an unabashed love for the tokusatsu genre. In Chroma Squad, players take charge of a start-up television studio that produces a new Super Sentai-style series. With each successful “episode” that makes it to air, players earn money to upgrade the quality of their production. (There’s more to the game than that, but we’re keeping it spoiler-free here.)

With a fresh take on the turn-based RPG genre, tongue-in-cheek humor, and genuine love for the cheesiness of Super Sentai and Power Rangers, Chroma Squad deserves a place in your gaming library. The game has nothing to do with Power Rangers in any official way, but a legal dispute resulted in the game’s title screen bearing the wording: “Inspired by Saban’s Power Rangers.”

The post The 7 Best POWER RANGERS Games of All-Time appeared first on Nerdist.

When you think about the Alien film franchise and The Last of Us games and TV series, you probably don’t see any similarities at all. And why would you? One is a slowburn, cross-country journey about the end of the world with fungus people. The other is…The Last of Us. Wakka wakka wakka, funny joke. At any rate, both are creature horror with sci-fi bits but that’s where the comparisons likely stop. But if you’re a filmmaker like Fede Alvarez, you might have used one to inspire the other, as the filmmaker shared that The Last of Us: Part II did indeed inspire Alien: Romulus.

On Twitter, the Evil Dead director responded to a follower’s question about whether or not he’d played TLOU2. Alvarez shared he was playing the game whilst writing Alien: Romulus and took direct inspiration from it for one of his characters.

“The story of a pregnant Dina made me think of having the character of Kay be pregnant too. Then I cast Isabella Merced to play Kay…. A year later she gets cast to play Dina on the HBO show…. True story.”

That’s less life imitating art but art imitating art, really. The utter happenstance of Isabella Merced playing Kay in Romulus only for HBO to cast her has the analogous character in The Last of Us is super fascinating. In the game, and series, Dina is Ellie’s girlfriend who bears the brunt of the latter’s quest for vengeance.

But that isn’t the only fun parallel. Another Twitter person noticed a visual similarity between the character of Lev in TLOU2 and Navarro in Romulus. Both people of Asian descent with shaved heads. Alvarez confirmed this, too, in gif format.

So the moral of the story: play video games. Thank you.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

The post The Surprising Connections Between ALIEN: ROMULUS and THE LAST OF US appeared first on Nerdist.

We feel thrilled that Star Wars will soon release an open-world game for us to explore. After all, some of the best parts of Star Wars revolve around its many detailed settings and deep lore. Allowing fans to delve into an open world is exactly the right move for a Star Wars game. But, of course, there’s more to Star Wars Outlaws than its detailed open world, the game, of course, has a fascinating story as well. And now, we finally know more about its tale, which teases, among others Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt. The full story trailer for Star Wars Outlaws has arrived, alongside a brief teaser that shares some Lando fun. You can watch these first looks below. And, excitingly, Star Wars Outlaws has also finally set its release date for August 30.

Mere days before its launch, Star Wars Outlaws rightfully put out a launch trailer that shows more details about its narrative as well as the characters.

Star Wars Outlaws Reveals Official Story Trailer and Plot Details

Not only does Star Wars Outlaws lets you run around inside of Star Wars world. It also lets you experience a morally grey life which can be a ton of fun. Of course, in true Star Wars fashion, you might also be secretly part of something bigger. The Star Wars Outlaws trailer certainly seems to imply there’s more to some of our major players than meets the eye. For the curious, a release helps shed some light on what we see in the Star Wars Outlaws trailer. You can also watch a new teaser below, which reveals an exciting glimpse of playing Sabacc with Lando himself.

The release reveals that the game will focus on “cunning scoundrel Kay Vess and her companion Nix’s search for an opportunity of a lifetime. During this era, the Empire’s rule is distracted by the rebellion that won’t quit, leading to a golden age for the underworld. As a skilled thief, Kay’s antics catch the attention of Sliro, the leader of a new, foreboding criminal syndicate Zerek Besh. After Sliro places a bounty on Kay’s head, Kay and Nix are offered their one shot at freedom—pull off one of the greatest heists of all time. Kay and Nix will need to navigate the underworld across the galaxy, building their reputation with legendary criminal organizations including the Pyke Syndicate, the Hutt Cartel, the Ashiga Clan and Crimson Dawn to earn the support they need to finish the job.”

Missions from syndicates, terrifying foes, avoiding the Empire, building a crew and more, it sounds like this game will be a thrilling one for the Star Wars fandom. Douglas Reilly, vice president of Lucasfilm Games shares, “Star Wars Outlaws invites fans to experience a side of the galaxy that has a treasure trove yet to be explored, the exploits of the scoundrels taking advantage of the golden age of the underworld. We’ve been inspired by Massive Entertainment’s dedication to bringing this aspect of Star Wars to life, including both iconic and new things for fans to explore in an open world.”

Star Wars Outlaws‘ Synopsis

Alongside its trailer, Star Wars Outlaws shares a synopsis of the game. It notes:

Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game, set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, a scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life, along with her companion Nix. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted.

Which Locations Will Star Wars Outlaws Bring to Its Open World Game?

In celebration of its trailer, Star Wars Outlaws also revealed some familiar and novel locations that will be a part of the game’s open world. The release notes, “Kay and Nix will travel across the galaxy to gain the right resources and crew for the ultimate heist. In their journey, they’ll travel across distinct locations, both iconic and new: Canto Bight, Kijimi, Tatooine, Akiva, and the windswept savannah of Toshara. Along the way, Kay will explore bustling cities and cantinas, race across sprawling outdoor landscapes on her speeder, and pilot her ship the Trailblazer through the wilds of space. When things go awry, the Trailblazer will also help them chase, evade and attack to gain the upper hand in thrilling dogfights with the Empire and other foes.”

Count us in on all of this excitement. We’re also curious to see how many new and old characters we run into in this game. Star Wars Outlaws‘ trailer teased Jabba the Hutt’s arrival onto the scene… And it also showed us a glimpse of Han Solo in carbonite. Very curious.

Star Wars Outlaws Sets Its Release Date

So, when will Star Wars Outlaws and its open world release for our playing pleasure? Star Wars Outlaws has set its release date for August 30, 2024. Star Wars Outlaws will be available to play on Xbox Series X|S consoles, PlayStation 5, Amazon Luna and PC through Ubisoft Connec. We can’t wait to “risk it all.”

Originally published on April 9, 2024.

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Gamescom is a wonderful time of year for fans of video gaming. Trailers galore! But even more than that, video game-related stuff, from TV shows like Secret Level, to toys! We love toys. Nintendo, never one to let us down in the merch department, has unveiled new LEGO sets based on their popular games. Six new sets will highlight Mario Kart titles and three sets for Animal Crossing. Gallery below!

Click To View Gallery

The new sets include Baby Mario and Luigi, Baby Peach & Grand Prix, Toad’s Garage, and a Standard Kart set. The one I’m most excited about? Jumbo Donkey Kong. The weirdest one? Blue Yoshi riding a Green Yoshi bike. Why would you ride a bike that looks like you? That is perverse.

In addition to these Mario Kart sets, we’ll also get three sets in the Animal Crossing universe. Those are: LEGO® Animal Crossing™ Stargazing with Celeste (77053), LEGO® Animal Crossing™ Leif’s Caravan & Garden Shop (77054) and LEGO® Animal Crossing™ Able Sisters Clothing Shop (77055).

All of these LEGO Nintendo sets will hit retailers January 1, 2025. So get your New Year’s affairs in order and get to building, then get to racing.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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All around the world, we have museums dedicated to art, science, and history. And that’s all well and good. But we believe Japan is about to open perhaps the coolest museum of all time—the Nintendo Museum. Yes, an entire museum dedicated to the iconic video game company will soon open its doors to the public in Japan. First announced in 2021, the Nintendo Museum will be located in the city of Kyoto. This multi-level space will showcase a wide variety of products from the company’s 35-year history. The official website is now selling tickets. You can now also view a video tour of the museum right here, guided by Nintendo’s Representative Director, Shigeru Miyamoto:

Kyoto is where Nintendo’s corporate HQ currently is. So it makes perfect sense for their museum to be located there as well. According to Forbes, they constructed the museum on the grounds of the old Ogura Plant factory. This location was once used to make trading cards, as well as repairing all manner of toys and game consoles. The museum requires a free Nintendo Account to make a reservation. All tickets are sold via a randomly selected drawing. We imagine once the Nintendo Museum has been open for a little longer, getting tickets will be less of a process.

Let’s say you make the pilgrimage to Japan and plan a visit to the Nintendo Museum? How much are tickets for the museum going to set you back? Actually, they are not really that much at all. Adults (ages 18+) tickets are 3,300 yen ($23 US/£18), Youth (ages 12-17) costs 2,200 yen ($15 US/£12) a child (ages 6-11) is 1,100 yen ($8 US/£6) and preschoolers (ages 0-5) get a free entry. The Nintendo Museum officially opens its doors to the public on Wednesday, October 2.

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Harrison Ford went on a grand adventure for the last time with last year’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. But even though Ford hung up his famous fedora, it doesn’t mean that’s the end of the character. Indy will continue in other media, like the brand-new Xbox game that was recently announced by Bethesda Softworks and Lucasfilm Games, Indiana Jones, and the Great Circle, which has a five-minute long trailer reveal from Xbox Games, which you can watch right below. Additionally, at GamesCom, the Indiana Jones game set a release date and revealed yet another trailer.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Trailer and Synopsis

Here’s the game’s official description:

Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them – Indiana Jones. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard.

The game will take players “From the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond.” This looks like everything anyone could want from an Indiana Jones game.

Where on the Indiana Jones Timeline Does the Great Circle Take Place?

As mentioned in the synopsis, the events of this game fill in the timeline between two franchise movies. Timeline-wise, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle fits in between Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, which took place in 1936 and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade which happened in 1938. It will be interesting to see how the film evolves the canon, offers Easter eggs, and sets up the events of its “future.”

To tease us, MachinesGames’ co-founder and lead game designer Jerk Gustafsson shares, “He has separated from Marion… We know that he is sort of lost again after that. He is adrift.”

Who Voices Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle?

If Indy’s voice sounds familiar in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, it’s because Indiana Jones is voiced by Troy Baker, who gave voice to Joel on The Last of Us. We love this nerdy connection.

Who Can We Expect to See in the Game and When Will The Great Circle Release?

From what the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle game trailer depicts, we see good old Dr. Henry Jones Jr. in his prime. He’s evading death traps, scouring for hidden treasure, and of course, punching some Nazis. Also, his mentor Marcus Brody is in the game as well. Our fingers remain crossed that Sallah shows up at some point too. But we imagine Bethesda has a few surprises still in store. The Indiana Jones and the Great Circle game arrives to Xbox Series X|S and PC on December 9, 2025. It will release on PlayStation 5 in Spring 2025. You can WishList the game now by heading over to the official Indiana Jones Bethesda site.

Originally Published January 18, 2024

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Games, both tabletop and video, offer some of the richest and most complex storytelling opportunities in the world at the moment. Sometimes you don’t want to leave a fictional game world when you’ve finished your campaign. Well, now if you’re a fan of 15 different games and gameworlds, the new Prime Video series Secret Level will be for you. The adult animated series from the people behind Love, Death + Robots will adapt an unprecedented number of properties from all over the gaming sphere. And even if you don’t know the games, it looks pretty gorgeous.

If you didn’t catch all of the properties in the teaser—which is astonishingly good looking so far—Prime has provided a list of what we’ll see.

●                Armored Core

●                Concord

●                Crossfire

●                Dungeons & Dragons

●                Exodus

●                Honor of Kings

●                Mega Man

●                New World: Aeternum

●                PAC-MAN

●                PlayStation (Highlighting various PlayStation Studios beloved entities)

●                Sifu

●                Spelunky

●                The Outer Worlds

●                Unreal Tournament

●                Warhammer 40,000

That’s a hefty and impressive list of titles! I’m personally pretty stoked to see Mega Man on the list. And FromSoftware fans will probably be exceptionally interested to see Armored Core among the offering. Whet the whistle for possible Dark Souls or Elden Ring episodes?

We honestly can’t wait to see what this level of animation brings to these beloved games. But we’ll have to! Secret Level premieres on Prime Video December 10.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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Dune: Awakening invites you to journey into the world of Arrakis. Of course, anyone who knows anything about the planet knows that won’t be a walk in the park. We’ve learned about the unique story of Dune: Awakening in other trailers, but this time, the immersive and intense gameplay of this MMO is at the center. In its first gameplay trailer, Dune: Awakening walks you through the many epic adventures that await you in this title. From making alliances (or engaging in betrayal) to fighting sandworms to mining Spice, and, of course, playing the political game, Dune: Awakening‘s gameplay will let you live your best Dune life.

Check out the full Dune: Awakening gameplay trailer below.

The official description for the game notes, “Dune: Awakening is an open-world survival MMO set on the most dangerous planet in the universe. Survive the desert by learning the ways of the Fremen. Expand your potential through combat, spice, building, and trade. As guild intrigue and warfare rage, control the spice and cling to power.”

And it sure looks like survival is the name of the game. If Arakkis doesn’t get you… the other players might. But for those who love a game that keeps you on your toes, it looks like Dune: Awakening is just the thing. You can even purify the blood of your enemies to make water for yourself. What could be better than that? The world of Arakkis is entirely unforgiving, but the cunning will be able to make their way to the top in Dune: Awakening.

So, cling to power—if you can. Dune: Awakening will be released on PC in early 2025. You can sign up for the Beta of the game here: https://duneawakening.com/. Additionally, you can add Dune: Awakening to your Steam wishlist today here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1172710/Dune_Awakening/.

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Well…I bet Gearbox thought the timing of this announcement was going to be much more triumphant initially. The long-gestating feature film adaptation of Borderlands arrived to abysmal reviews and staggeringly small box office returns. But, silver lining, the player count for 2019’s Borderlands 3 saw a spike on Steam the week of release. And hopefully for the game studio, that interest in the series continues with the announcement that Borderlands 4 is on the way. Take a look at the very teasery teaser.

The teaser, which premiered at Gamescom 2024, came with the equally teasery description:

In this next installment of the definitive looter shooter, players will assume the role of a legendary Vault Hunter as they blast their way through hordes of enemies in search of new treasures to loot on an all-new planet.

So, in other words, it’s a Borderlands game. While the teaser seems very serious, the series has always employed a puerile sense of humor along with its trademark cel-shaded animation. The previous mainline entry of the game got decent reviews and sold over 18 million copies. Meanwhile the two spin-off titles, Tiny Tina’s Wonderland and New Tales from the Borderlands, both from 2022, fared less well.

No release date yet for Borderlands 4 but you can wishlist it on Steam if that’s a thing you like to do. Maybe wait to see some actual gameplay footage first.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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Who among us hasn’t imagined ourselves as a Disney heroine? The brave and bold women of Disney have captured the imagination of generations with their mighty and magical adventures. And now, thanks to Ravensburger’s latest game, Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition), we can put ourselves firmly in the shoes of some of our favorite Disney and Pixar heroines in a whole new way. Disney’s Maid Marian, Belle, Moana, and Violet come to life in novel crystallized forms in this immersive tabletop game. These leading ladies are off on an adventure in the Realm of Light, a world outside the main Disney universe where heroines from different movies can co-exist. There, the beloved characters team up to save the day and stop the evil Shadow Villains (also familiar faces) from wreaking havoc on the world of light. To help fans understand more about Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition), Ravensburger’s Alex Land, the Art Director for the game, chatted with Nerdist about the creation and imagination behind this brand-new Disney quest.

Among other things, Land shares more about the nuanced meaning behind the crystal theme of Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition), reveals her favorite character designs from the game (get ready to feel old along with Land), delves into creating everyone’s favorite game piece, the movers, and highlights the magic of getting to ask “what if?” as heroines from across the Disney universe come together in never-before-seen ways. Land also chats about the powerful story that’s created when women design games for women and girls. If you’re a fan of Disney or tabletop games in general, you won’t want to miss a word of Land’s excellent insights.

Click To View Gallery

In addition to our conversation with Land, we are also excited to exclusively reveal six pieces of gorgeous process art from Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition). These beautifully drawn illustrations take us through the process of creating the box art for Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition). From first thoughts to the incredible final product, looking at how the image develops tells a gorgeous story all its own. So take them in above, and then check out our full interview with Alex Land below.

Nerdist: Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition) has such a unique and beautiful art style. Where did the notion of radiant crystal versions of our favorite heroines come from? And what was like it to bring that vision to life on the page? What does “radiant crystal” or “crystalized” really mean in terms of this game and its art? 

Alex Land: Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition) is set in the Realm of Light. When a Vortex of Chaos and Malice appears, it pulls shadowy essences of powerful Disney villains into the Realm. To counter this, the people of the Realm of Light call for help, and a magical crystal portal opens, summoning heroic essences from other Realms that materialize as radiant crystal heroes. Those are the actual heroine’s essence in crystal form.

Narratively, we needed a place where all the heroines and villains could exist simultaneously without contradicting their canonical storylines, so we came up with the Realm of Light. This led to some really fun visual direction.

The visuals were decided early on by the team and inspired by jewelry and crystal-cut figurines, both of which are beautiful and feminine, like the heroines in the game. The angular cuts in the jewelry add toughness to the design, and this also allows for light to reflect through the prisms. Bringing light and strength when events get dark are heroic qualities that you’ll see in characters in the game.

Shadows are the complete opposite in that they are amorphous, dark, and lacking substance. It’s a cool visual juxtaposition that carries through all of the art assets.

Whenever new forms of Disney heroines come to life, there’s a long tradition and recognized story that lives behind each image, but also, of course, fans love to see what novel elements come into play. What was the process of translating the heroines we love so much in this whole new way? 

Land: For Chronicles of Light, we wanted to ensure that the heroines were true to their origins while also recognizing they are now thrust into this scenario where they get to work together, which wouldn’t normally happen. We tried to imagine what those specific characters would do in this instance, where they are challenged with a new threat they haven’t faced before while working with new like-minded allies. And then how players could have fun putting themselves into those roles.

So, it was an exciting exercise of imagining hypothetical pairings and situations like “What would Moana be capable of in this new world?” and simultaneously, “How can she also team up with Violet and utilize her unique strengths?”

When I was a kid, I would pretend to be one of my favorite characters hanging out with my other favorite characters and doing all sorts of stuff they wouldn’t normally get to do. I think it’s very much a shared experience with fans to wonder “what if” with their favorite characters, and then if you’re into role-playing games (like me), you’re probably still doing that as an adult.

Visually, we wanted to make sure everything looked familiar and felt true to that character’s vibe. So, when you are playing as Belle, for example, everything is yellow, and the art matches her personal experiences, so it’s easy to get into that headspace.

What are some new elements that you introduced to these familiar Disney and Pixar characters that you feel fans will enjoy the most when playing Chronicles of Light? 

Land: I think the most exciting new element introduced in Chronicles of Light is the ability to work together. Moana is a great character for movement and can help her allies get where they need to be. It’s fun to imagine Moana riding up in her canoe and giving Maid Marian a lift.

What are some character elements that you really felt needed to remain the same in Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition)?

Land: We wanted to make sure the things players see in the game are the same as those they are used to seeing in the movies. The heroines are who they’ve always been. They’re just now facing a new problem and utilizing their existing and familiar strengths to tackle it.

Visually, we wanted all the objects they personally interact with to be recognized as their own at a quick glance. For example, Violet wouldn’t be riding any random car—she’s in the Incredimobile.

Of course, with crystalized heroines come nefarious shadow villains. How do these two different sets of art styles complement and contrast one another to support the gameplay of Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition)? 

Land: That was a fun visual theme to utilize throughout the game. The heroines are strong, bright, colorful, and bring light to the darkness of the situation at hand. Whereas the shadow villains are a frightening, mostly monochromatic, threatening force in the dark. The way their essences are portrayed directly mirrors their good and bad intentions.

Which heroine and villain designs are your favorite from Chronicles of Light?

Land: I personally love Maid Marian both because she is a great support character, and I love playing support in games, and because I grew up watching Robin Hood a million times. I noticed a lot of younger kids aren’t as familiar with her, which makes me laugh and feel old.

My favorite villain would have to be Gaston because he is the worst, and I love to hate him. My daughter absolutely hates Gaston, and she’s four years old. He’s got that off-putting vibe that is recognized by all ages. But he also has the best theme song…

Additionally, the game’s synopsis notes players “encounter familiar characters, items, and creatures on their quests.” Can you share more about the designs of items and creatures in the game? For instance, what might we expect to see, and how do these familiar ideas take on new life?

You can expect to see the same things in the game as in the movies. In Robin Hood, Maid Marian plays badminton. In Chronicles of Light, she can use her Birdie to attack Shadow Villains from far away, which is cool. Belle can also ride Philippe, the horse, to take herself and her allies to new locations.

We experimented with many different themes and objects from each heroine’s franchise, and in the end, it was a balance of what is recognizable but also lends itself to having the best gameplay that decided what made it into the game.

You’ve essentially created a whole new Disney world in Chronicles of Light! What art inspirations did you draw from to create the setting? And how does the art of this new realm tell the story of the world?

Land: The Realm of Light is its own unique location outside of the Disney universe. It needed to be somewhere it wouldn’t be weird to see any of the heroines where they could all feel like they belonged. So, we designed it to be a bright fantasy world where each heroine would have locations where their skills could really shine.

It also needed to be a place in peril. The Realm of Light is in some serious trouble, and being a “realm of light,” it made sense that when summoning the essences of heroines to help they would materialize as radiant crystal heroes. That being said, darkness and shadows felt like the best way to visually show the Realm’s antagonizing force.

The “Realm of Light” tiles are designed to be rotated in any direction for an ever-changing board, which is a neat bit of gameplay and also a fun art challenge! Was it tricky to create pieces that moved in such a way?

Land: Creating tiles that could face any direction was a really fun challenge. There was a minute when we considered having them be shaped more like puzzle pieces, but it ended up cutting into the art too much, so we landed on tiling squares. It’s just a matter of making sure the trails always align and being mindful of where the Land and Water locations start and end. Those sorts of technical things are actually some of my favorite problems to work with when making games.

Often, a game’s movers are some of the fans’ favorite pieces. How did you go about choosing the design, color story, shape, and ultimate look for each mover in the Chronicles of Light?

Land: The movers are both one of the fans’ favorite pieces of a game and also one of the hardest to design. We went through so many rough iterations and heavy edits before landing on the designs you see. Then, choosing the colors is a whole other process of seeing many samples and making many rounds of revisions until they’re perfect.

We had to make sure each silhouette felt right for its character, that they all looked good together as a team, and that they were also different enough to be recognized at a distance individually.

Movers are definitely one of the most difficult and labor-intensive things to design. I really love how they turned out. Honestly, they look like little gummy candies to me; they’re so bright and cute!

We absolutely love that this woman-oriented game was also designed by women! What do you think that element brought to the creative process and the final product?

Land: My opinion here is coming from a place where, when I was a kid, we didn’t really have a lot of female heroes to emulate. So, I feel passionately about wanting to make sure we have strong and role-model worthy examples of women in all media.

A big part of that is women writing and designing women. This game is about female characters who are put into the role of being the heroines you’d want young girls to emulate. They’re not put into passive roles; they’re taking the lead, helping other people out, and working together to support one another. You can put yourself into that mindset when you play.

As a team, we wanted to create something fun for everyone, but especially as women, we want to elevate each other and let girls play a game where they are strong, capable, and taken seriously. Playing a board game is a small simple thing, but those sorts of examples matter, especially for kids, and that’s something we kept in mind while designing this game.

Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition) is now available for purchase. Don’t miss out on adding this immersive and gorgeous game to your collection.

The post CHRONICLES OF LIGHT: DARKNESS FALLS Art Director Talks Creating Magical Disney Heroine Team-Ups, Plus Exclusive Game Process Art appeared first on Nerdist.

Illustration is one of the closest things to magic that we have in our world. The process of a drawing coming to life is one of the purest forms of creation we can witness. And when that combines with the wonder of Disney and its heroines, it’s awe-inspiring indeed. And so, it is our great honor to reveal some exclusive pieces of process art from the new Ravensburger game Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition). These six pieces of art tell a wonderful story as they move from idea to final form, chronicling the journey of how the box art for Chronicles of Light came to fruition. Showcased here are the game’s crystal forms of Disney and Pixar’s Maid Marian, Belle, Moana, and Violet. We honestly can’t stop looking at them, and incredibly, their story is even more powerful than just how lovely these drawings are.

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Ravensburger’s Alex Land, Art Director for Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition), shared more with Nerdist about the reasoning behind the crystallized forms of the heroines in this game. She revealed, “The visuals were decided early on by the team and inspired by jewelry and crystal-cut figurines, both of which are beautiful and feminine, like the heroines in the game. The angular cuts in the jewelry add toughness to the design, and this also allows for light to reflect through the prisms. Bringing light and strength when events get dark are heroic qualities that you’ll see in characters in the game.”

We absolutely love this reasoning for the crystal theme for the heroines in Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition). The idea of crystals existing as something beautiful but strong is an incredibly salient one. Like the heroines themselves, crystals are full of light and gorgeous, but that can’t be separated from the fact they are also hard and angular. Adding this crystallization to the art of the Disney heroines in Chronicles of Light truly underscores what we already know about them; they’re kind and magical, but we wouldn’t want to cross them in a fight. This lovely, subtle but potent, addition to the art design of the Disney heroines truly makes them shine. And it sets us up for what we’ll learn when we play the game.

As Land concludes, “This game is about female characters who are put into the role of being the heroines you’d want young girls to emulate. They’re not put into passive roles; they’re taking the lead, helping other people out, and working together to support one another. You can put yourself into that mindset when you play.” And everything, from the art to the story brings this idea to life in Chronicles of Light.

Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition) is now available for purchase. It’s full description is below.

In Chronicles of Light: Darkness Falls (Disney Edition), players work together to form dynamic alliances of Disney and Pixar heroines, including Moana (Moana), Violet (The Incredibles), Maid Marian (Robin Hood) and Belle (Beauty and the Beast). Materializing as radiant crystal versions summoned into the realm, the heroines drive back shadows of infamous Disney Villains and restore the Realm of Light. Along the way, the team explores a brand-new illustrated world and encounters familiar characters, items, and creatures on their quests. Fully designed and illustrated by women, the game’s diverse missions and modular board generate new adventures every time it’s played.

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I don’t know about you, but one of the most exciting aspects of Daredevil: Born Again is more Punisher and Karen Page content. I need moments between them like I need to breathe. The chemistry, the tension, it all works for me and plenty of others who ship them. The return of both characters also means we will get more Jon Bernthal and Deborah Ann Woll interviews that show just how nerdy they are. In fact, we love this episode of “Real Ones with Jon Bernthal” where Deborah Ann Woll teaches him about a world we know well: Dungeons & Dragons. 

She explains the basics to Jon, who still seems a bit confused, and how the game influences her acting choices. I could see him getting into D&D considering he’s a comics nerd. Now we need to see them get all the way into it and play together in the future.

We know one person who would join them and it’s none other than Charlie Cox. There’s nothing better than a group of nerdy people playing comic characters, right? 

How can you not love Deborah Ann Woll geeking out with Jon Bernthal about Dungeons & Dragons?!

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Rockwell once opined it always feels like somebody’s watching him. It might be a treatise on existing in the public eye, but we don’t have definitive proof he wasn’t the victim of the floating eyeball known as the Beholder. The monster has been a thorn in the side of Dungeons & Dragons players since the game’s beginning in 1975. Fifty years is a very long time to fight against beasts of this kind. Magic: The Gathering knows it and has announced Secret Lair x Dungeons & Dragons, limited edition card drops with D&D theming. We’re stoked to get to share some exclusive looks at cards dedicated to the Beholder!

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These cards come from just one of the planned drops that begin August 27. Each drop will highlight a different legendary character from D&D‘s unprecedented 50-year dominance. The drops are as follows:

• Secret Lair x Dungeons & Dragons®: An Exhibition of Adventure
• Secret Lair x Dungeons & Dragons®: Astarion’s Thirst
• Secret Lair x Dungeons & Dragons®: Karlach’s Rage
• Secret Lair x Dungeons & Dragons®: Death is in the Eyes of the Beholder I
• Secret Lair x Dungeons & Dragons®: Death is in the Eyes of the Beholder II

The above cards all come from “Death is in the Eyes of the Beholder II,” so not only will there be MTG cards celebrating the vampire rogue Astartion and the battle-hardened Karlach, there are double the Beholderings.

“This is a special year for Dungeons & Dragons fans, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate 50 years of such an amazing game than by bringing our two games together,” said Mark Heggen, Vice President of Collectibles, Magic: The Gathering. “Each of these Secret Lair drops represent the legacy and impact of Dungeons & Dragons and it’s thrilling that Magic: The Gathering fans can be part of this celebration.”

“It’s always incredible to see iconic D&D art, monsters, and characters come to life on Magic cards! These Secret Lair cards capture the essence of D&D, giving fans of both games something truly special to add to their collections,” said Jess Lanzillo, VP of Franchise and Product for D&D at Wizards of the Coast. “Whether you’re a D&D fan, a Magic enthusiast, or both, these drops offer a unique way to celebrate and connect with these games that have brought fans so much joy and community for decades.”

Each drop $29.99. A Foil Edition of each drop will also be available at $39.99 each. The drops will be available on MagicSecretLair.com and D&D Beyond Marketplace later this month.

You can learn more about Secret Lair on the official site and sign up to be notified about upcoming Secret Lair drops at MagicSecretLair.com.

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Since time immemorial, mankind has looked to the stars and wondered, “Who would win in a fight—cats or vampires?” Well, wonder no more because Magic: The Gathering is putting this age-old conflict front and center in their new Foundations set.

Set to release on November 15, 2024, Magic: The Gathering Foundations isn’t just meant to appeal to the statistically horniest corners of the internet; rather, it’s designed with beginners in mind. As the name suggests, Foundations is intended to serve as the core of casual and competitive Magic: The Gathering play for the next 5 years—at least as far as Standard is concerned. The set is roughly a 50-50 split between new cards and older cards that will give players the, you guessed it, foundation they need for their collection moving forward.

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While in Indianapolis at Gen Con, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Magic: The Gathering executive producer Max McCall, who gave us a detailed breakdown of the thought process behind Foundations, the biggest challenges in bringing it to life, and why it’s the perfect way to get beginners into the game.

I also tried out the Foundations Beginner Box, a package that includes basically everything that you and a friend need to start playing Magic. The box contains 10 themed Jumpstart packs that are predetermined to facilitate beginner play. The deck contains a guided learn-to-play experience with two 20-card decks (Cats and Vampires) that takes you through the first 6 or so rounds and introduces key concepts in an easily digestible manner.

Although I’ve been playing since Ice Age, I was impressed by how thoroughly the Beginner Box eases players into the rhythm of gameplay. Considering this is a game where you can have infinite combos or literally make your cards into a computer, ease of accessibility is paramount for attracting new players.

While the set is certainly geared towards newcomers with products like the Beginner’s Box, McCall is keenly aware that they need to provide value for veteran players as well. “Teaching aides become less useful over time,” McCall said. After graduating from the Beginner Box, players can move on to Starter Collection, which contains 350 cards that will help them continue to build upon the foundations a never-ending war between cats and vampires instilled in them.

Another way they’re hoping to ensure the longevity of this set is by making Foundations legal in Standard play through 2029—approximately double the usual amount of time. When designing a new set like Foundations, McCall said the key questions they ask themselves is “How should we think about how the cards in this experience can be relevant for a long time?” The idea of building for longevity makes sense, especially considering that McCall said sets like Foundations typically spend three to four years in development, going from concept to completion.

While Foundations was clearly meant to be a set with broad appeal to a wide range of skill levels, the design process is more often than not motivated by the setting rather than a desire to explore specific mechanics. In the case of Innistrad, McCall noted, it’s a world inspired by Gothic fiction, which lead them to vampires and bite mechanics.

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As for McCall’s favorite card in Foundations? A self-confessed cat person, he immediately pointed to Helpful Hunter, a 1/1 cat who lets you draw a card when it enters the field of play. The artwork by Xabi Gaztelua features an adorable kitten with a feather in its mouth.

McCall said he likes it not only because of the adorable artwork but because it’s an efficient, low-cost card that facilitates drawing from your deck, giving it a wide array of uses for players.

Foundations will available in your friendly local game store on November 15 as well as Magic: The Gathering Arena, the digital version of the game. Does knowing that these cards will be used for both table play and virtual play have an influence on how McCall and company approach their designs?

Yes, but perhaps in subtler ways than one might think. “The power of tabletop is you’re playing with someone [face-to-face],” McCall said. In effect, it’s easier to speed things along in person than when you’re playing a stranger online. So, McCall noted, the team tends to “avoid elements that slow down pace of play.”

Of course, part of the joy of Magic: The Gathering is the genuinely bonkers combos that its players manage to assemble. Despite rotating what cards are legal in Standard play, it is impossible for designers to know exactly what kooky combinations people will cook up. “We must design systems where we don’t know all possible outcomes,” McCall explained.

As for what Magic players will cook up in the cardboard lab with Foundations, only time will tell. We will find out together when it comes to stores on November 15.

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Before you ask, yes, they finally gave cats darkvision, folks! However, by opening this article, you accidentally triggered a trap. You hear a pressure plate sliding beneath your feet as a metric ton of brand new information about Dungeons & Dragons begins to emit from slits in the walls. Roll for initiative, adventurers, and prepare yourselves for what may potentially be a lot of psychic damage depending on how well you deal with change!

In early August, Wizards of the Coast opened a portal to Avernus in Indianapolis, IN. Not simply to summon a horde of demons – we presume – but to give press and Gen Con attendees a look at everything they’re working on for Dungeons & Dragons.

Big Anniversary, Big Changes

The world’s most popular tabletop role-playing game is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. I have been playing it for at least 25 years, which makes my bones hurt more than a CR 0 skeleton on the wrong end of a paladin’s greatsword.

But wait, there’s more — this also marks the 10th anniversary of Fifth Edition, the game’s current ruleset. And like a hill giant in the distance, there are some big changes on the horizon. Beginning in September, Wizards of the Coast are rolling up sprawling updates to Dungeons & Dragons‘ three core rulebooks, the Player’s Handbook, the Dungeon Master’s Guide, and the Monster Manual. Each of these tomes will clock in at a whopping 384 pages and offer significant updates to a game system enjoyed by more than 64 million players worldwide.

So should players be scrambling to make an intelligence check? What does the future of Dungeons & Dragons hold? While at Gen Con, I spoke with Dungeons & Dragons game architect Chris Perkins. A 20-year veteran of Wizards of the Coast, Perkins has had in everything from Dungeon magazine to D&D Fourth Edition to serving as the longtime Dungeon Master for Acquisitions Incorporated games at Penny Arcade Expo and beyond.

Perkins is keenly aware of the scrutiny placed on Wizards of the Coast, especially in light of 2023’s contentious handling of the Open Gaming License. However, he and the rest of the team are focused more on making sure they’re giving the players what they want.

“This is a game with a long and storied legacy, and we are just the current stewards,” Perkins explained. “Our role is really to be listening to what the community wants, trying to gauge what is the best play experience for the most people possible, and not losing sight of the fact that we’re not building it in a vacuum.”

When it comes to redesigning Fifth Edition, Perkins said, “We have to be very mindful about the choices we make about what we present, how the rules are framed, and everything to make it as welcoming and accessible to as many people as possible, and with the understanding that it’s the community that really shapes the game, not the people who work on the game.”

A Decade in the Making

The process of designing and developing this massive update to Fifth Edition started long before the 50th anniversary. According to Perkins, it began “literally the day after we sent the 2014 books to the printer.”

For Perkins, this is the culmination of a design philosophy and passion sparked decades prior by the eye-catching artwork of a little game called Dungeons & Dragons. Specifically, the first edition Monster Manual, the game’s beastly bestiary full of all manner of ferocious fiends.

“I picked it up, started flipping through,” Perkins said. “I was totally captivated by the monster illustrations inside of it and the numbers or the statistics that were next to each monster. I said, ‘Oh, I have have no idea what this is, but I love the pictures. I’m going to buy it with my allowance and take it home,’ and [had] no concept that this was part of some greater game. So I just sat and read it cover to cover.”

In the beginning, Perkins had no idea how to play the game, opting instead to memorize the stats and stage epic monster battles. Months after buying the Monster Manual, he discovered it was actually part of a larger game system and began playing with his next-door neighbor.

“I was the DM, and he played all the characters, and so, for us, it was the joy of just rolling up quick characters,” Perkins said. “I can’t remember which adventure I used, but it was great, because it was liberating. I don’t think either of us really still understood the game very well, so we were just kind of making it up, and I was killing characters and he was killing monsters, and we had a great time.”

While many rules lawyers out there are probably grinding their teeth into a fine powder, this is the beauty of D&D. There is no wrong way to play; the sourcebooks are there to help provide guardrails and structure to the collaborative story you tell.

“There was never any concern that we were doing it wrong, and I think that stuck with me,” Perkins explained. “Even all these years later, I feel like everybody kind of makes the game their own.”

Those childhood games and the sense of anything being possible inform Perkins’ design philosophy to this day. It’s a philosophy that carries over into the highly anticipated updates to Dungeons & Dragons‘ core rulebooks.

Isn’t This Sixth Edition?

Like many fans out there, I was curious why these new sourcebooks are being positioned as an update to Fifth Edition rather than Sixth Edition or something brand new. Perkins acknowledged that they had conversations about potentially making an entire new edition of the game to coincide with its golden anniversary, but ultimately went a different way.

“And I think about maybe three years before the 50th, we’re like, ‘You know what? Fifth Edition is so popular. People love it. The sales of the game are still incredibly strong, year over year. We’re seeing even more sales from the previous year. It would be insanity, in a way, to burn it all down.'”

While the team at WOTC wants to create a comprehensive update to D&D, they don’t want to alienate players who have spent a lot of time, energy, and money on previous products. The Fifth Edition update is designed to be backwards compatible with much of the Fifth Edition material published between 2014 and present day. In a press conference at Gen Con, D&D lead designer Jeremy Crawford confirmed that “The new core books can be used on day 1 with the adventures and supplements you already have for Fifth Edition. The new core books replace the old books but not the other supplements you own.”

With that said, there are some considerable differences. One of the most discussed is a system coming in the Dungeon Master’s Guide known as Bastion Rules. This is an optional system DMs can use to allow players to build strongholds of their very own. While that isn’t exactly a brand new idea to D&D, the gamification is: Perkins and the team built a robust system of mechanics that will enable your player’s Bastion to have tangible effects on the campaign.

“First edition even had mechanics for [Bastions], but I think one of the things that was missing out was the idea of building a stronghold that is actually giving you something back, that is helping your character in some way, and also building a system whereby it doesn’t interfere with your character’s role as an adventurer,” Perkins said.

The key question for Perkins and his fellow designers to solve was “What can we do that’s meaningful to players, that would be a fun engagement activity for them, as engaging as making a character, basically, that they can own and it can be theirs?”

According to Perkins, “[We hit] upon this idea that there has to be an in-game payoff. In addition to the joy of just building something on your own, there has to be something that makes your character better, makes the party better. The other trick, of course, was we knew that this would be something that DMs would have to unlock.”

The system has previously been released in prototype form on D&D Beyond, the game’s digital marketplace, as part of their Unearthed Arcana collection, a series of playtest mechanics and materials for adventurous players to beta tests in their home games. The response was so positive that Perkins and the team were confident the structure was okay.

But what proved to be the biggest challenge from a design perspective? According to Perkins, they were threefold. The first was thinking of all three sourcebooks as one massive 1,000 page grimoire that works seamlessly together. The second was finding ways to make the Dungeon Master’s Guide feel more indispensable. The third was one that will likely have the biggest impact on players: class and subclass design.

A Class Act

The Player’s Handbook will boast 12 classes, each with 4 subclasses of their own, bringing that to a whopping 48 subclasses in total.

“We have very detailed information about what people are playing, and we have a lot of information about how popular, not only classes and subclasses are, but individual features within subclasses and classes,” Perkins said. “Some of the classes were basically falling way behind, In terms of their popularity and figuring out a way to level them up to make them as popular as some of the more popular ones. We know that the Rangers struggled, the Monks struggled, and the Druids struggled, and the biggest design challenge was how far can you basically blow up something or uplevel something and still have it be familiar?”

Many of these subclasses have been effectively rebuilt from the ground up so they feel more satisfying for players and enticing for people to actually run at their tables. As for which class Perkins is most excited for players to get their hands on? “I am very excited for people to start playing the new version of the Monk,” he said. “People have sort of kicked it around a lot and said, ‘This is not as awesome as it could be.’ And I just feel like the team killed it, just killed it with the Monk, so I’m looking forward to it. I hope that our belief is affirmed, that this is going to be one of the, no pun intended, most kick-ass classes.”

Back to the Beginning

While Dungeons & Dragons as a system serves as a blank canvas upon which players and DMs can paint the story that serves them the best, the Fifth Edition Update will also feature a complete campaign seting for players to use. And not just any campaign setting; they’re returning to Greyhawk, the first ever published campaign setting for D&D.

According to Perkins, “We had a lot of other things to put in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, so the combination of wanting something that was kind of lean and mean and skeletal, but also felt like it was a beautiful creative springboard.”

It’s a bold choice considering how dominant settings like Forgotten Realms have become in pop culture and the consciousness of many players. Created by Ed Greenwood in 1987, Forgotten Realms is the backdrop for mega-popular games like Baldur’s Gate 3, as well as movies like Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. But fortune favors the bold and the connection to D&D‘s origins was too tempting for the design team to ignore.

“This also being releasing in the 50th anniversary year when we’re celebrating the legacy of D&D, it made sense,” Perkins explained. “Because we haven’t done anything with Greyhawk in the whole life of Fifth Edition to bring that back, to hit the nostalgia hammer. At the same time, we’re saying, ‘This is a platform from which you can now launch a new campaign and keep it true to the original Greyhawk that it is very spare, that it’s meant to be a skeleton upon which you now built.'”

Did they really give cats darkvision?

Meowth, that’s right.

Anyway, folks, that’s all the news coming out of Greyhawk so far. We will keep you posted on any other major developments in the world of D&D…unless we fail our perception checks. Speaking of which, make sure you turn all of your Beholder-like eyestalks over to Geek & Sundry, which is relaunching this September with a brand new actual play tabletop role-playing series, Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode!

Editor’s note: This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

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Prepare for an adventure unlike any other. Legendary Digital Networks presents Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode! This immersive actual play podcast series will take fans into an adventure in a unique setting, the world of Sundaros. Hosted by Game Master Amy Vorpahl (Dimension 20, Critical Role), Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode will take viewers on a journey full of fantasy storytelling and weird little monsters in a serialized campaign.

The core cast includes the talented Danielle Radford (Dimension 20, Honest Trailers), Dan Casey (Nerdist, Geek & Sundry), and Jason Nguyen (Westbrook Media, Legendary), all seasoned storytellers with a passion for tabletop role-playing games and improv comedy. The adventurers will also be joined by special guest stars throughout the season. Roll a perception check because you never know who might show up at the table…

The inaugural season of Sagas of Sundry: Goblin Mode will feature an evolving adventure that blends elements of horror, sci-fi, and high fantasy into a sweeping saga. Set in the richly detailed world of Sundaros, the tabletop roleplaying game explores a land once ruled by godlike beings and now plunged into chaos following their disappearance. Goblin Mode tells the story of a group of genuine underdogs. Not traditional fantasy heroes, but undead skeletons and toothy goblins serving a foul necromancer in a dank dungeon. But with the evil overlord they once served now vanquished, their destiny is in their own hands for the very first time.

Goblin Mode will release 60-90 minute episodes every Monday across Realm and Geek & Sundry‘s YouTube channel. The series premieres on September 9.

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We’re here to take a potentially controversial stance: video games are art. I know, it’s pretty wild. Congratulate us on our iconoclasm. But even if video games are an artform unto themselves, the word “cinematic” usually comes out to describe particularly arty games. Games have adapted movie-style visuals and storytelling quite well, but, with a few notable exceptions, movies have yet to really capture what makes a particular game title great. Hasn’t stopped them from trying! And Netflix has set its sights on one of the pillars of modern video gaming with a BioShock movie. After this adaptation announcement earlier this year, the movie is gaining traction with a director and writer on board.

Netflix reveals that “Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, I Am Legend, Slumberland) has joined to direct the live-action film adaptation with Michael Green (Logan, Blade Runner 2049, Death on the Nile) writing the screenplay. Both these creators have done some great work, so fans should feel excited.

In February, a brief tweet via Netflix’s Geeked Twitter account announced a movie version of the 2007 first-person shooter from 2K and Take-Two Interactive.

Most recently, in July 2024, producer Roy Lee confirmed the Bioshock movie was still in the works with director Francis Lawrence. But the film is currently being “reconfigured” into a “more personal” with a reduced budget. Lee notes, “The new regime has lowered the budgets… So we’re doing a much smaller version. … It’s going to be a more personal point of view, as opposed to a grander, big project.”

BioShock is a sci-fi mystery about an unnamed protagonist in 1960 whose plane crashes over the ocean only to find an elevator to an opulent, art deco city underwater. But as gorgeous as it looks, it’s anything but idyllic. The brainchild of Randian business mogul Andrew Ryan, the city Rapture was supposed to allow rampant capitalism, exceptionalism, individualism, and Objectivism. Scientists developed genetic upgrades which naturally turned most of the populace into insane nightmare monsters. The player character has to piece together the mystery of their own past, what happened in the city, and avoid the terrifying Big Daddies who can pretty much kill you on sight.

BioShock is a very tough title to translate to a movie. So much of the game’s success depends on the player’s choice—or lack thereof. It’s a scary survival horror game, but it also has complex history and backstory that we only learn about over hours and hours of gameplay. This is not to say it’s an impossible task, of course, but it’ll definitely take a deft hand.

So far, we don’t know anything more than these announcements. No dates or times or anything of that nature have been shared. We don’t even know if it’ll be strictly an adaptation of the first game; the announcement says “franchise,” which means it very well could borrow elements from BioShock 2 or BioShock Infinite as well. But needless to say, we’ll kindly wait with bated breath until we get more updates. And remember: “A man chooses; a slave obeys.”

Originally published on February 15, 2022.

The post BIOSHOCK Netflix Movie Adaptation Still in the Works, Will Be ‘More Personal’ Film with Smaller Budget appeared first on Nerdist.

Fans of The Legend of Vox Machina can officially start making plans for their next watch party. The animated Critical Role series announced it will return to Prime Video for season three this fall. But you don’t have to wait that long to see the show’s new opening title sequence because it’s already here. And as a bonus, we even have a clip from the upcoming season of The Legend of Vox Machina.

Everyone’s favorite Dungeons & Dragons mercenaries will soon return to streaming. The Prime Video animated series will debut its third season on October 3. What can fans expect when the show rolls out its new season? Here’s the official synopsis from Amazon:

Everything is at stake in the long-awaited Season 3 of The Legend of Vox Machina. The Chroma Conclave’s path of destruction spreads like wildfire while the Cinder King hunts down Vox Machina. Our lovable band of misfits must rise above inner (and outer) demons to try and save their loved ones, Tal’Dorei, and all of Exandria.

You can catch them in action below, in a brand new clip from season three. In it, “Our beloved band of misfits, alongside friend Gilmore, take on a group of guards in the city of Ank’Harel, where they choose to fight or to flee.”

It’s a short clip, but it truly does capture the magic, humor, and incredible animation we’re excited to see return in The Legend of Vox Machina season three.

Originally published on June 10, 2024.

The post THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA Shares Season 3 Clip, Opening Title Sequence, and Release Date appeared first on Nerdist.

The Fallout series was a tremendous hit for Prime Video. And so, it’s no surprise another game adaptation is heading to the platform. Next in line is a live-action series adaptation of SEGA’s gaming franchise Yakuza: Like a Dragon titled Like a Dragon: Yakuza. This wildly popular series of games was first released in 2005 and contains a number of entries including spinoffs, remakes, and more. It seems the series even changed English-language names over time, switching from Yakuza to Like a Dragon. (Prime Video has encapsulated both these titles in its series name). And now it can add a live-action series to its deep well. From its teaser trailer to its release date, here’s what Like a Dragon: Yakuza has shared so far.

What Is Prime Video’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza Series About?

A release shares more about what we can expect from Prime Video’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza live-action series. It seems the show will take some inspiration from the first game in the franchise while, of course, making the story its own. Prime Video shares:

Released in 2005 by SEGA, the ‘Yakuza’ game series was positioned as an entertaining game for adults, which found massive fanfare amongst its target audience. The series depicts the lives of fierce yet passionate gangsters and people living in a huge entertainment district, Kamurochō, a fictional district modeled after the violent Shinjuku ward’s Kabukichō, that acts as the backdrop of the gameplay. Like a Dragon: Yakuza showcases modern Japan and the dramatic stories of these intense characters, such as the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, that games in the past have not been able to explore. The much-loved game has captured the attention and hearts of fans not only in Japan but also internationally and will now be adapted, developed, and streamed worldwide on Prime Video. 

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Teaser Trailer

You can even check out the first teaser trailer for Like a Dragon: Yakuza below:

Seems like we’re in for a dramatic, action-packed ride that’s sure to thrill us.

When Will Like a Dragon: Yakuza Take Place?

The live-action Like a Dragon: Yakuza series will actually take place in two timelines. A release notes, “In 1995 and 2005, spanning across two time periods, Like a Dragon: Yakuza, an original crime-suspense-action series, follows the life, childhood friends, and repercussions of the decisions of Kazuma Kiryu, a fearsome and peerless Yakuza warrior with a strong sense of justice, duty, and humanity.”

Director Masaharu Take notes, “In 1995, the protagonist is still young, and he makes a lot of mistakes, and these lead to him spending a decade in prison and the consequences he faces when he got out in 2005. I tried to show those differences in the two time periods, and the cast helped to achieve this as well.”

The Cast and Creators of Prime Video’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza

As noted, the critically acclaimed Masaharu Take will direct the series. Like a Dragon: Yakuza will also star Ryoma Takeuchi as its lead character, Kazuma Kiryu. 

Ryoma Takeuchi shared, “I am truly honored to be given the opportunity to play the role of Kazuma Kiryu, a beloved character and the game series. I strongly felt that I was willing to put my life on the line. Audiences will enjoy the show’s human drama and conflict that unfolds around Kazuma Kiryu. Moreover, please take a look Kiryu’s intense fighting scenes with the Dragon tattoo on his back.”

Meanwhile, director Take revealed, “I have poured out my heart, soul, and the experience that I have garnered over 35 years into Like a Dragon: Yakuza. The unbridled passion, talent, and countless hours of efforts from the entire team have helped bring this spectacular story to life in the form of a riveting series that will be launched this year, the year of the dragon. Please look forward to Kazuma Kiryu, played by Ryoma Takeuchi.”

When Will the Live-Action Like a Dragon: Yakuza Series Release on Prime Video?

Like a Dragon: Yakuza will release its first batch of episodes worldwide on October 25, 2024. More episodes will release on November 1, 2024. The series will be six episodes long.

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Which streaming service is the best one? Well that question is pretty hard for a lot of people to answer, especially when streamers either keep merging together or raising their prices to new heights. My answer to this question is, and perhaps will always be, Shudder. The horror streamer boasts pricing plans that start at $5.99 per month and has a treasure trove of content, especially indie flicks, documentaries, and spectacular horror anthologies. When it comes to the latter, Greg Nicotero’s Creepshow is truly a vibe.

It draws inspiration from Stephen King and George A. Romero’s 1982 Creepshow film but has truly taken off as its own little universe, complete with a comics anthology series by Skybound. Now, the Creep is coming to a tabletop near you with Creepshow: The Suspense Building Game, which Skybound will release this fall. (Thank you to Comicbook.com for bringing this to our attention!) 

The game will allow players to become the Creep and build their own twisted tales using Story Cards. They will fill these scary stories with dread, thanks to Suspense cards. Others will try to throw a machete into their narrative with sabotage mechanics and other fun options. Comicbook.com’s interview with Garima Sharma, VP of Licensing for Skybound Entertainment, reveals that a single gameplay session should run about 40-60. That sounds like a fun way to spend a Fall Friday night. And, there are three ways to win: 

Right now, it’s not clear when pre-orders will open up for the game but it should be soon. Until then, fans can keep an eye on Skybound Tabletop’s website.

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Ravensburger debuted Disney Lorcana just about a year ago. The trading card game featuring Disney animated films has expanded hugely since then. Shimmering Skies is the game’s fifth release, bringing up the total number of available cards to over 1,000. It’s so many cards to choose from to build your 60-card deck—so many that the only solution is to craft more than one deck. Based on the cards we’ve seen from the next set, your choices are going to get harder. Ravensburger sent us Shimmering Skies Starter Decks, which combine Emerald & Steel and Amethyst & Ruby inks. This set has joyful vibes since the realm of Lorcana is celebrating the defeat of Ursula. Here are some highlights from the Shimmering Skies Starter Decks.

Shimmering Skies Emerald & Steel Starter Deck

The Shimmering Skies Emerald & Steel Starter Deck is all about dealing damage and then using your opponent’s pain to your benefit. It’s balanced and opened my eyes to the potential of playing this ink combination across the various sets.

Combinations of cards win the day more than any single card. However, one of my favorite cards from this deck is the Robin Hood Timely Contestant. The card costs nine ink and is uninkable, but you can bring down that cost by deducting damage from opposing characters. It’s not as hard as you might think to get him into play. He quests for four lore. On top of that, this card has the Ward ability so other characters have to challenge him and he has six willpower and strength. I want to build a Robin Hood-themed deck just because of this card.

I also quite like the Tug-of-War action card. It either deals one damage to each opposing character without Evasive or three damage to each opposing character with Evasive. That can pack quite a punch. You can’t beat Steel cards for inflicting challenge-less damage.

Shimmering Skies Amethyst & Ruby Starter Deck

I’ve refined my Lorcana strategy over the various releases but at its core, that strategy is still the same as when I began playing: number go up. I want to quest and quest often. The more lore I can obtain in a single turn, the happier I am. The Shimmering Skies Amethyst & Ruby deck beautifully enabled this dream with its combination of characters with two or more lore and characters with the Evasive ability. Evasive characters make me feel invincible. That’s an incorrect feeling as there are always counters, but while I have those Evasive cards out unopposed, it’s the best. The Emerald & Steel Starter Deck did have foils to keep the Amethyst & Ruby combination from being undefeatable, but if I got lucky with my cards early in the game, I could make large leaps in lore.

This deck prominently features Wreck-It Ralph characters, including multiple versions of Taffyta Muttonfudge. Some lovely new Frozen characters join the fray as well. Like the Robin Hood card I mentioned above, this deck has a beast of an uninkable Olaf card. It costs nine ink, but you can reduce that cost depending on how many exerted characters your opponents have in play. Then he quests for three lore. This could be a prize of a card in a multiplayer match. I also adore Bruni Fire Salamander. He has Evasive, quests for two lore, and allows the player to draw a card when he’s banished.

Disney Lorcana: Shimmering Skies will arrive at local game stores, Disney Stores, and Disney Parks on August 9, 2024. Shimmering Skies will then hit mass market retailers and DisneyStore.com on August 23, 2024.

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LEGO’s SDCC 2024 booth (#2829) takes the shape of Space Station 8R1CK5 this year. Space Station 8R1CK5 has many unique facets, including immersive space windows, over fifty LEGO sets displayed, some of which have never been seen in person, life-size brick-built figures, and one truly unique “Build Your Own LEGO Rocket” SDCC experience.

In LEGO’s SDCC “Build Your Own LEGO Rocket” experience, guests can design a spacecraft and then build their own creation using LEGO bricks. If making your own LEGO rocket come to life wasn’t cool enough, though, those who stop by for this LEGO booth experience will also be able to actually set their craft in orbit. LEGO’s SDCC booth has a special LED backdrop that will take your rocket out of this world. Honestly, words don’t do justice to just how extraordinary it is to see your LEGO rocket blast off into deep space.

LED backdrops are some of the coolest ways to create truly immersive experiences. And right there, in the heart of SDCC 2024, you and your rocket will travel light-years away. Your heart will skip a beat when an unexpected comet flashes through the cosmos. And you’ll delight in seeing an errant spaceship float by. No other SDCC booth will sweep you off on a more beautiful journey.

In addition to its LED offering, LEGO is going old-school and also providing a version of its beautiful space vision made out of LEGO bricks. Honestly, it’s hard to know which version of the backdrop is better, so we’ll just have to settle for saying both of them are supernova-level spectacular. Seeing how LEGO’s gloriously colored bricks come together to create the night sky before us is truly amazing, though.

As a special surprise, those who complete this LEGO space mission will also receive an exclusive SDCC 2024 embroidered patch from LEGO. Mission success! As they say. If you’re at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, make sure to stop by LEGO’s booth to take part in this experience. You won’t want to miss going on a space adventure of your own. We at Nerdist personally got to witness astronauts, big and small, embarking on a true mission of imagination. Everyone was so incredibly enthused about making their spacecraft and then equally excited about seeing it set off to space. It was honestly a heartwarming experience. If the intent was to encourage imagination and creative thinking, LEGO knocked it right out of the park (and into the outer atmosphere) with this one.

If you’re not at SDCC 2024, though, fear not; you can have your own cosmic LEGO experience by checking out all of LEGO’s latest space sets.

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The coolest part of any official LEGO display is often its giant brick-built models. And while LEGO’s SDCC 2024 booth has many extraordinary facets, we definitely still love seeing its life-size LEGO builds up close and personally. At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, LEGO has a space-themed booth, Space Station 8R1CK5. Additionally, 2024 also marks the 25th anniversary of the LEGO Star Wars collaboration between the LEGO Group and Lucasfilm. And so it’s only fitting that two of SDCC 2024’s major LEGO life-size models celebrate Star Wars. At LEGO’s 2024 SDCC booth, we got to meet a life-size, brick-built models of Star Wars‘ lovable droid, R2-D2, and of LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy’s Jedi Vader.

LEGO Brings Life-Size R2-D2 to SDCC 2024

To celebrate 25 years of LEGO Star Wars, LEGO created an incredible life-size R2-D2 recreation. This 1:1 ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​LEGO brick build ​inspired by ​R2-D2 is ​made from ​27,797 LEGO elements. Even C-3PO would have to be impressed by that. The R2​-D2 life-size​ build began its life in Germany and has traveled across Europe and the United States. We’re honored he made his way to SDCC 2024 to wow and delight us. But with LEGO’s space-themed booth, how could he resist?

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​LEGO life-size R2-D2 is a beat-for-beat replica of the original. In fact, when another R2-D2 rolled up to say hello, we couldn’t even tell the difference. And yes, LEGO R2-D2 lights up and chirps. He’s honestly precious, and we want him to roll his LEGO-self home with us.

Click To View Gallery

Life-Size LEGO Jedi Vader Arrives to San Diego Comic-Con

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy is an exciting LEGO Star Wars special coming to Disney+ in September. It features the Star Wars world gone a little topsy turvy. At SDCC 2024, LEGO’s booth showcases one of the especially cool characters from the show, Jedi Vader. Now just what would Vader be like if he was armored in pristine white metal and carried the shining blue lightsaber of the light side? Well, LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy invites us to find out.

But first, we can check out this life-size LEGO brick-built model of good old Jedi Vader. And yup, confirmed. It’s pretty awesome. We suggest you watch out for that lightsaber though. Vader might claim to be a Jedi now, but, phew, his saber is huge. We can’t even begin to imagine just how many LEGO pieces went into making this incredible Star Wars creation. But we’re grateful we got to personally meet him. You can take a closer look at the giant LEGO Jedi Vader, below.

Click To View Gallery

In addition to the life-size Jedi Vader model, LEGO also has three of its LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy sets on display at SDCC 2024. It’s a good time to be a LEGO Star Wars fan.

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Forget knowing the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow. Now we only care about what kind of damage they deal when attacking a tabletop. Wizards of the Coast has announced its two new Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair drops celebrate Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

One of the greatest comedies in movie history is coming to Magic: The Gathering. Wizards of the Coast is launching two sets honoring Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The collections feature quotes, scenes, characters, and locations from the film, all told with original art inspired by the movie. That’s why these limited sets are sure to sell out. They’re fantastic collectibles even for people who don’t play MTG.

In a truly fitting homage to the film, Wizards of the Coasts’ official description for the Secret Lair drops are totally absurd, bordering on totally inane.

Secret Lair x Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Vol. 1

Five decades ago, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table set off on a sacred quest to reclaim the Holy Grail. They… still haven’t found it. But they stopped by Secret Lair and told us all about their escapades, immortalized in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Go watch it! We liked it so much that we made two drops inspired by it. This drop even has a double-sided Birds of Paradise that lets you choose between an African and European Swallow. How do we know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you’re a king.  

Secret Lair x Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Vol. 2

The volume of this drop shall be “2,” no more, no less. If thou proclaim it “1,” thou speakest of our other drop. The cards herein are different. If thou pronounce the volume to be “3,” thou speakest falsely for there is no such thing. “2” shall be the volume of this drop. And in this drop, thou shalt discover cards featuring scenes and quotes from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. And perchance thou shalt lobbest thine cards against thy foe to gain victory most sweet.  

The fact those are both so useless has us way more excited about these collections than useful information would.

One thing you do need to know is how to get them. Fortunately, Wizards of the Coast provided tangible info for that. You can order both Secret Lair x Monty Python and the Holy Grail Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 at MagicSecretLair.com. Each goes on sale Monday, July 29 at 9:00 AM Pacific. They will only be while supplies last or until Sunday, August 18 at 11:59 PM Pacific “while supplies last.” Fans at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 can also grab a “limited quantity” of each set’s Foil Edition. You can find those at the Hasbro Pulse booth (#3213).

Hopefully those of you in San Diego ydon’t run into any annoying knights on your way to the booth. If you do try and hit them with an unladen swallow. One from any country should do.

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Nothing you can say will convince me that it’s easy to get into a trading card game. That was true until I played Disney Lorcana TCG Gateway. Ravensburger’s Disney Lorcana is the first trading card game that made me understand why folks enjoy these kinds of games. Other TCGs I tried seemed too complex, the communities too unwelcoming. It was the opposite with Lorcana. The theme of Disney animation didn’t hurt, either. While it’s easy enough to learn to play the game using starter decks, Disney Lorcana Gateway is an ideal introduction for beginners or those who have taken a break. It makes the game so simple to pick up.

Disney Lorcana Gateway is packaged in a game box that comes with a game board, two starting decks, four reward packs, damage counters, and all the instructions you need. What elevates this above picking up two starter decks, aside from the game box packaging, is that it’s a progressive experience. The gameplay is designed to help you learn. While the rules and mechanics are specific to Disney Lorcana, I could see the methods and lessons about strategy applying to other TCGs.

The starting decks are Amber and Amethyst and Ruby and Sapphire. The guidebooks that come with the game simplify the ink colors to yellow and purple and red and blue. Each of the starting decks has 30 cards—nowhere close to the standard 60 card deck. With these 30 cards, you follow the rules and get comfortable with the game. The first 30 cards even have a specific order to set you up for success. Then you have to check off certain tasks during your game to proceed to the second gate. After that you’ll open another small pack of cards. You repeat this until you open the fourth and final pack of cards.

Each pack cleverly adds new cards types and/or abilities to help you expand your knowledge of the game. You’ll get to know items, songs, the support ability, shifting characters, and more. Alas, the game does not include location cards. The slow progression makes you take the time to stop and get to know your cards. Even though I’ve played Lorcana for about a year, I found using the checklists a positive challenge. They stopped me from falling into my usual strategies. For example, I’m the worst about remembering to use characters instead of ink to sing songs. But with the requirement to use characters to sing songs in order to move on to the next gate, I had no choice but to try it.

While Disney Lorcana Gateway is suited for beginners to the game, you can have fun even if you’re a seasoned player. As a bonus for existing players, the game board is solid. I might consider using it instead of turning to a play mat.

Disney Lorcana TCG Gateway is available exclusively at Target now for $24.99. It will be available at mass retailers and local game stores beginning on August 9.

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We were glad to hear that The Writers Guild of America finally made headway in achieving a fair deal with the AMPTP. The studios’ refusal to grant writers the protections and compensations they deserve continued to extend the strike, but recently a tentative agreement was reached. Then, the SAG-AFTRA strike happened and eventually came to yet another tentative agreement. There’s likely much to still work out with both of those strikes, but now another strike is on the table. On September 25, 2023, SAG-AFTRA’s members voted to authorize a video game strike. In fact, the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of a video game strike. 98.32% of those who voted, over 34,000 people, agreed to strike authorization. According to Deadline, the video game strike is actually happening and will begin on July 26 at 12:01AM.

Why Is the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike Happening?

The union is calling a work stoppage against the major video game companies after nearly two years of trying to renegotiate its Interactive Media Agreement. Here is a previous release from SAG-AFTRA that shares more details about the situation between SAG-AFTRA members and the video game industry. It notes:

The strike authorization does not mean the union is calling a strike. SAG-AFTRA has been in Interactive Media Agreement negotiations with signatory video game companies (Activision Productions Inc, Blindlight LLC, Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, Insomniac Games Inc., Epic Games, Take 2 Productions Inc., VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and WB Games Inc.) since October 2022. Throughout the negotiations, the companies have refused to offer acceptable terms on some of the issues most critical to our members, including wages that keep up with inflation, protections around exploitative uses of artificial intelligence, and basic safety precautions. 

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland also shared the following:

“The video game industry generates billions of dollars in profit annually. The driving force behind that success is the creative people who design and create those games. That includes the SAG-AFTRA members who bring memorable and beloved game characters to life, and they deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming, and music: fair compensation and the right of informed consent for the A.I. use of their faces, voices, and bodies. Frankly, it’s stunning that these video game studios haven’t learned anything from the lessons of last year – that our members can and will stand up and demand fair and equitable treatment with respect to A.I., and the public supports us in that.”

What’s Next for This Video Game Industry Strike?

This is all a developing story, therefore it is not clear what will happen nor when the next round of negotiations will take place. But we do know that AI is a very serious issue in this strike, which a spokesperson for video game producers details, saying: “We are disappointed the union has chosen to walk away when we are so close to a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations. We have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions. Our offer is directly responsive to SAG-AFTRA’s concerns and extends meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the IMA. These terms are among the strongest in the entertainment industry.”

As with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes against the AMPTP, this strike is borne from the needs of hardworking people to survive and live. Hopefully, the video game companies can respect the requests of those that help them to thrive. You can read more about how to help striking workers here. Additionally, more information about the video game strike will become available here.

Originally published on September 26, 2023.

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LEGO doesn’t have any set exclusives at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything special con-goers can pick up from the brand. LEGO’s exclusive SDCC offerings really hit on the unique spirit it’s bringing to SDCC this year—that of discovery, adventure, and exploration. At LEGO’s booth, you can pick up an exclusive embroidered patch and also an exclusive premium swag pack, but only if you complete your space missions first.

Here are all the galactic exclusives guests can pick up from LEGO at SDCC 2024.

LEGO’s Exclusive Embroidered SDCC 2024 Space Mission Patches

LEGO’s SDCC booth (#2829) will transform into a space station, Space Station 8R1CK5, to be exact. At Space Station 8R1CK5, guests, or should we say, interstellar travelers, will get a chance to design and build their own rocket ship creations using LEGO bricks. Guests will then be able to set their LEGO rockets into orbit with a special LED screen backdrop as well as a brick-built version of space. Nerdist got to see this activation in action, and we have to say it was absolutely heart-warming. Space adventurers, young and old, delightedly crafted their creations and gleefully sent them into the LEGOsphere. If LEGO was aiming to encourage pushing the boundaries of imagination and creating an environment rife with exploration, they absolutely succeeded.

But visitors to the LEGO booth aren’t simply creating rocket ships; they’re completing a space mission. And a LEGO space mission successfully completed deserves an exclusive prize. LEGO will be offering exclusive SDCC 2024 embroidered patches to commemorate these wonderful space-inspired creations. Every astronaut who builds a spacecraft at Space Station 8R1CK5 will receive this exclusive LEGO San Diego Comic-Con mission patch. And we must say, they look pretty cool. We know we’ll be sewing them onto our favorite space suits immediately after the con.

Participate in a Mobile Scavenger Hunt and Win an Exclusive LEGO SDCC 2024 Swag Pack (And Maybe Something More)

A mission patch isn’t the only SDCC 2024 exclusive LEGO has on offer, though. In addition, LEGO lovers can go on a different kind of mission at San Diego Comic-Con, a mobile scavenger hunt, to win an exclusive SDCC LEGO swag pack.

LEGO is calling this fun SDCC 2024 scavenger hunt the LEGO Space Explorer’s Challenge. Those visiting SDCC will be challenged with completing some secret missions across the convention. These will be photo-based and accessible via a mobile website. Those who complete the Mission may very well get special LEGO prizes to take home.

In fact, the first 20 guests who complete their scavenger hunt mission each day will win an “exclusive premium swag pack” from LEGO. The exact contents of this exclusive swag pack remain mysterious, but doesn’t that just add to the excitement around this LEGO SDCC offering? Sounds spacetacular to us!

But how do you access the LEGO Space Explorer’s Challenge, you might ask? Well, you just have to visit LEGO’s booth and they’ll have QR code to start you on this journey of great discovery! Please also note that you need to complete your Mission on the day you start it. Every day of the con will bring a different set of Mission Tasks. You can complete the Mission once each day and earn multiple entries over the course of the event. (But there’s a max of one entry per email per day!)

Additionally, everyone who completes the Mission overall will be entered for the chance to win an exclusive grand prize. Incredibly, this adventure extends to fans not at San Diego Comic-Con, too. Fans not attending the show can join in the fun and possibly snag something exclusive by entering to win at LEGO.com/San-Diego-Comic-Con.

We hope you get your hands on all the LEGO exclusives your hearts desire!

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We can honestly say there’s no one that does it like LEGO. Just when we think we’ve seen the best LEGO has to offer in terms of innovation, nostalgia, and sheer delight, the company outdoes itself yet again. LEGO’s latest marvel? A brand new entry into its LEGO Super Mario range for adults, its fifth addition to the collection, to be exact. This time, LEGO brings fan-favorite Yoshi into the fold with an homage to his earliest appearance in Nintendo’s classic video game Super Mario World. And yes, we’ll see LEGO Yoshi carry Mario into glorious adventures. The LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi set brings together nostalgic visuals, truly innovative animation effects, and a gorgeous aesthetic we can’t get enough of.

Join us as we exclusively reveal this build, and let’s take a deep dive into the new Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi LEGO set.

Exclusive First-Look Images of LEGO’s New Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi Set

Speechless? So are we. Honestly, this first-look image of LEGO’s new Super Mario World-inspired Mario & Yoshi set has us swooning. But a picture is not worth a thousand words in this case. To understand just how cool this LEGO build requires a deeper understanding of all its excellent design elements. We’ll get into that in our next section. First, though, we have a few more first-look images of this fifth set from LEGO’s Super Mario range for adults.

Click To View Gallery

We even got to be among the first to see Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi in person at SDCC 2024. But more on that below.

LEGO’s Super Mario Mario & Yoshi Set Homages Super Mario World with Pixelated Art and Actual Animation Effects

The universal truth of LEGO sets is that no matter how beautiful they are, there’s always more excitement hidden between their bricks. LEGO’s Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi 2D build is absolutely no different. Although its first-look images alone have us craving the set, the coolest parts of it lie in its clever design.

First, Super Mario fans will recognize how this Mario & Yoshi LEGO set’s pixelated aesthetic nostalgically mirrors visuals from Super Mario‘s earliest games. Super Mario World first released in 1990. Gaming graphics looked a little different back then. We’re obsessed with the way LEGO has manipulated its bricks in order to harken back to the game’s original style. Of course, Super Mario World was also a 2D game. And so LEGO has taken it upon itself to make this 3D build look 2D for the occasion. Mamma mia! We love it.

Second, this Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi LEGO set comes with a set of practical animations. Yes, once you build Mario and Yoshi out of LEGO bricks, you’ll be able to see Yoshi run with Caped Mario riding on his back. Additionally, Yoshi’s tongue can pop in and out, just like it does in Super Mario World. LEGO shares that this Mario & Yoshi set is built in multiple layers, allowing for its practical animations to function.

Carl Merriam, a Senior Designer on LEGO Super Mario, explains: “In this model, we wanted to capture the original sprite animation from Super Mario World. This meant re-creating the pixel art in LEGO bricks and then adding a mechanism to make Yoshi run with Caped Mario riding on his back. AND if that wasn’t enough fun, we also added a dial to make Yoshi’s tongue pop in and out – just like in the game!”

When Will the Mario & Yoshi LEGO Set Release? How Much Will the New Super Mario World LEGO Set Cost?

But when will this new LEGO® Super Mario™ Super Mario World™: Mario & Yoshi set release? This Super Mario World LEGO set will be available from October 1st, 2024. It will be sold via LEGO stores, LEGO.com and from select leading retailers around the world. If you simply must add it to your collection, you can pre-order the set today on LEGO.com.

The LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi set will cost $129.99. For more information, you can check out www.LEGO.com/supermario as well as www.LEGO.com/mario_yoshi.

Pieces Count, Dimensions, and Other Product Information

The more technically-minded among us may enjoy these more specific details about the LEGO Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi set:

• This build contains 1,215 pieces.
• It is product number 71438.
• The dimensions of LEGO® Super Mario™ Super Mario World™: Mario & Yoshi are: Over 15.5 in. (40 cm) high, 10 in. (26 cm) wide and 4 in. (11 cm) deep

Of additional note, this is the first time fans will see Mario’s trusted companion, Yoshi, in 2D LEGO brick form. Furthermore, this Super Mario World-inspired LEGO set is a part of LEGO’s ‘Adults Welcome’ series. This range is designed to bring fond memories to all LEGO fans who remember Super Mario as an essential part of their childhood. The Mighty Bowser and Piranha Plant from the LEGO Super Mario line are also part of this series.

See the New Super Mario LEGO Set at SDCC

LEGO’s announcement of this new Mario & Yoshi LEGO set coincides with the first day of San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Fans attending the convention will become some of the first to see this new Super Mario build if they visit LEGO’s booth (#2829). LEGO will display Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi starting on Thursday, July 25.

LEGO will have a truly inspired space-themed presence at the convention. But the message of LEGO’s SDCC booth extends beyond literal space travel. Instead, LEGO brings with it an overall spirit of discovery and exploration. Anyone who visits LEGO’s booth (#2829) will be able to journey into orbit, but can also visit many other faraway worlds, including that of Super Mario. And if pictures of this new Mario & Yoshi set are anything to judge by, seeing this build in person will be a true treat.

Let’s-a go! (to see Mario & Yoshi.)

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At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, LEGO is showcasing a brilliant display of over 50 LEGO sets, including some that have never been seen before in person. LEGO’s 2024 booth transforms from ordinary Comic-Con installation into Space Station 8R1CK5, highlighting the company’s overall SDCC theme of marrying the wonder of space with the joy of building with LEGO bricks. So it’s no surprise that an assortment of space-themed sets from LEGO City, LEGO Technic, and LEGO Icons themes can be found at the convention booth. But swirling in the idea of space are broader notions of exploration, the discovery of new worlds, and unlocking novel experiences. And so LEGO’s 2024 SDCC booth also highlights products from LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Minecraft, LEGO Super Mario, and LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog. Step inside LEGO’s SDCC booth with us and check out all the cool builds, first-look sets, and out-of-this-world creations.

A Galaxy Far, Far Away Is Calling… These LEGO Star Wars Sets Feature at SDCC

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy is a four-part animated special coming to Disney+ on September 16. If you haven’t yet (and really, what are you waiting for?), you can check out its trailer here. But this fun LEGO Star Wars series basically functions a little bit like a What If…? adventure for the Star Wars universe. Suddenly, all the good guys have gone bad, and all the bad guys have gone good. Among other fabulous figures, the series brings to life the fan-manifested Darth Jar Jar, Jedi Bob, and Jedi Vader. At SDCC 2024, LEGO will display three sets tied to LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.

LEGO Star Wars Jedi Bob’s Starfighter Set Debuts at SDCC

First up, it’s LEGO Star Wars Jedi Bob’s Starfighter. A mystery Jedi Knight Minifigure appeared in a 2022 LEGO Star Wars set, and fans came together to give him a name, Jedi Bob. Jedi Bob will become a fully realized Star Wars character in the upcoming Disney+ special, but he’ll also finally get official LEGO set acknowledgment. Good for you, Jedi Bob! If you’re at the con, you can play a LEGO scavenger hunt to try to win a LEGO Jedi Bob set signed by Jedi Bob’s voice actor Bobby Moynihan.

LEGO Star Wars The Dark Falcon and TIE Fighter & X-Wing Mash-up Sets

Additionally, the LEGO booth at SDCC 2024 will feature the LEGO Star Wars The Dark Falcon and TIE Fighter & X-Wing Mash-up sets. The Dark Falcon puts the spotlight on Darth Jar Jar as he receives his own Star Wars Minifigure. It also gives us a pretty cool vision of what the Millennium Falcon might be like if it went to the dark side. Jedi Vader, Beach Luke, and Darth Rey also rank high among our favorite Minifigures ever. Jedi Vader even makes a stunning appearance as a life-size brick-built model at LEGO’s SDCC 2024 booth.

Finally, the LEGO Star Wars and TIE Fighter & X-Wing Mash-up marries two of the most iconic Star Wars spacecrafts ever to create the ‘TIE-wing’ and ‘X-fighter.’ We are honestly obsessed with this mashup of dark and light side symbols. (But you can also create the original versions of each using the set.) That’s the magic of LEGO for you.

LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Debuts a Shadow Set at SDCC 2024

Admit it, Shadow the Hedgehog is your favorite part of the Sonic the Hedgehog world—antiheroes often are the best. He’s so cool that Keanu Reeves is voicing him in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie. And now, he’s graduating to the coolest honor of all, having a Shadow the Hedgehog LEGO set created in his honor.

This Shadow the Hedgehog LEGO set debuts at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. The LEGO Group and SEGA will showcase their new LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog creation at the LEGO booth. This new set promises many recognizable details and hidden Easter eggs that will celebrate Shadow’s undeniable style and fan-favorite status.

New Dungeons & Dragons LEGO Minifigures Arrive at SDCC

At Nerdist, it was our great pleasure to build and review the Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale set. And let us tell you, beyond looking extremely cool (and having a full articulated LEGO dragon you can build out of bricks), the set truly captured the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons. But the key to a truly good D&D narrative is to make sure the story and world can keep growing. (And also, sometimes, you need to embrace new party, no matter how in love you are with your latest character.)

To keep the journey going, LEGO has revealed 12 new LEGO fantasy minifigures: Tiefling Sorcerer, Elf Bard, Halfling Druid, Dwarf Barbarian, Dragonborn Paladin, Aarakocra Ranger, Gith Warlock, Mind Flayer, The Lady of Pain, Strahd von Zarovich, Tasha the Witch Queen and Szass Tam. We could definitely use a Gith to expand on our current party, and who doesn’t love a Mind Flayer after watching Stranger Things? Each Minifigure will also carry an authentic accessory and come with a collector’s information leaflet.  

LEGO Reveals Minecraft Baby Pig’s Birthday Celebration Set at SDCC

SDCC is a huge celebration, so it’s the perfect time to reveal a LEGO set with a party of its own. LEGO Minecraft Baby Pig’s Birthday Celebration invites you to build a Minecraft cake. This special set lets you build your own Minecraft mobs complete with moveable parts. The new LEGO Minecraft build includes a baby zombie, baby fox, baby cat, baby llama and baby pig. How is that for something worth celebrating?

A LEGO Masters-inspired Travel Moments Set Heads to San Diego

Watching people create LEGO masterpieces is so satisfying. And that’s why the LEGO Master TV show has been so popular. And now, LEGO is giving the people what they want: the chance to build their own LEGO Masters creation straight from the show. LEGO Travel Moments comes right from off our screens and into our living rooms. It allows builders to recreate their most iconic travel moments with the World Wonderliner jet and the world map. The LEGO Travel Moments set even leaves space for you to show off travel souveniers and pictures using photo holders. And you can add micro-build vehicles and decorative tiles to customize your map. Every time you go somewhere new, you can update you build! Pretty nifty!

The LEGO Travel Moments set will be on display at LEGO’s SDCC 2024 booth.

Bring LEGO SDCC 2024 Home!

From Marvel to classic Star Wars to The Legend of Zelda and everything in between, there are a ton of other sets at LEGO’s SDCC 2024 booth. Of course, none of these featured SDCC 2024 sets aren’t con exclusives! You can bring them home and see for yourself just what they look like.

All the sets on display at SDCC can be found at LEGO.com/San-Diego-Comic-Con. So you have to look no further if you’re looking for a group of LEGO sets perfectly curated to inspire imagination, curiosity, and exploration.

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Space. For those of us on Earth, it’s a place of wonder. Scientists estimate we’ve only explored 4% of the universe so far. And only 646 people out of the billions on Earth have seen space in person—a staggering number. But that doesn’t mean humans aren’t eager to discover new wonders in the cosmos. To unlock the 96% of the universe we haven’t discovered yet, LEGO has committed to highlighting space’s splendor in its new 2024 releases and sets. From letting creators build the Milky Way to bringing children’s spacecraft visions to life (which you can see at the LEGO booth), LEGO has paired the ingenuity and exploratory nature inherent in its offerings with a mission to encourage a love of space in children and beyond. Blasting this partnership to new heights is LEGO’s space-themed booth at SDCC 2024. Please join us for an exclusive walkthrough (or is that “floatthrough”) of LEGO’s cosmically cool creation, Space Station 8R1CK5.

We Invite You Into Orbit: Tour LEGO’s SDCC 2024 Booth, Space Station 8R1CK5, with Our Exclusive Walkthrough

The final frontier. The galaxy far, far away… To infinity and beyond! Space has been the backdrop of many nerdy adventures, and now, thanks to LEGO, it’s on its way to San Diego Comic-Con, the ultimate fannish destination. At LEGO’s San Diego Comic-Con 2024 booth (booth #2829), fans will be welcomed to Space Station 8R1CK5. LEGO has had many incredible booths at SDCC before, filled with awe-inspiring LEGO-built figures, creative activations, and more. But LEGO’s 2024 SDCC booth is one of the most immersive and the most meaningful to date. Stepping into LEGO’s Space Station 8R1CK5 booth will allow visitors to imagine they’re blasting off into space, all with the very special cosmic touch of LEGO magic.

At Nerdist, it’s our particular delight to help reveal LEGO’s San Diego Comic-Con 2024 booth with a very special booth tour and walkthrough of the space installation. And we invite all the LEGO fans out there in the universe to join us. We say “LEGO fans in the universe” because LEGO fans are on Earth, in space via our terrestrial astronauts, but also (we bet) in parts of the cosmos still unknown. That’s right, we’re saying aliens love LEGOs.

So, whether you’re soon heading to SDCC yourself, watching from the Milky Way, or just want to live the adventure from your home-ship, C0UCH, we want you to come along on this journey into space. You can check out our booth tour walkthrough video above or shift your telescope down for even more details about LEGO’s SDCC 2024 installation, Space Station 8R1CK5.

LEGO Is Bringing Space to Its 2024 SDCC Booth (#2829)

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, the LEGO Group’s Space Station 8R1CK5 will create an interstellar booth experience, which will also feature first-look product reveals from beloved properties and a plethora of interactive elements. In LEGO’s SDCC booth, booth #2829, the wonder of space exploration will meet the pure joy of building with LEGO bricks. (Another wonderful kind of exploration.) As fans float through the booth, they can expect cosmic experiences, out-of-this-world photo opportunities, exclusive surprises, and more. Space Station 8R1CK5 will land at SDCC from Thursday, July 25, through Sunday, July 29. 

Beth McKenna, Head of U.S. Marketing at the LEGO Group, shares, “After over 20 years of showcasing at San Diego Comic-Con, we wanted to wowfans yet again and worked hard to create a brand-new experience that offers something for everyone. Space is an endless playground for imagination and storytelling; we are hoping to capture that playground spirit right here at Space Station 8R1CK5.”

Don’t Miss Out on LEGO’s SDCC 2024 Booth Experiences, Immersions, and Panel Signings

LEGO’s San Diego Comic-Con 2024 booth, Space Station 8R1CK5, will truly allow you to explore an expansive universe. With its clean, geometric aesthetic, deep blue and white coloring, and gloriously cosmic “windows” into space, Space Station 8R1CK5 makes its visitors feel like they’ve actually stepped into orbit. Additionally, full of brick-built details and delightfully giant LEGO figures, this booth offers all kinds of galactic activities and immersive adventures.

Some of the activities you’ll find in the solar system of LEGO’s 2024 SDCC booth include: 

• An immersive space station experience that features beloved properties, interactive fun, and virtual elements.
• Among other adventures, you can travel to a galaxy far, far away at the LEGO Star Wars™ display, have a close encounter with specimens from different universes with LEGO IP products, or even just watch the time float by from one of the space windows and content screens!
• Space Station 8R1CK5 will feature a build-your-own LEGO rocket experience. In this experience, guests can design and build their own space creation using LEGO bricks. Once complete, guests can set their craft in orbit by placing it in front of a special LED screen backdrop. Your rockets will literally take flight before your eyes.

Of course, space exploration is its own reward. But to add a little bit of extra incentive to head to space, LEGO will be offering exclusive embroidered patches to commemorate the builds of every astronaut-in-training. LEGO shares that “Every astronaut who travels to Space Station 8R1CK5 and completes the rocket build experience will receive a San Diego Comic-Con mission patch.” And who among us does not want an exclusive patch for our collection?

LEGO Panels and Signings

In addition to the tremendous adventures of LEGO’s booth itself, LEGO will have a pair of exciting panels and signings that will surely please die-hard fans. LEGO’s San Diego Comic-Con panels include a LEGO NINJAGO: Dragons Rising Continues panel and a LEGO Masters: Back Behind the Brick Panel. These panels will both take place in room 6BCF on Thursday, July 25, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. PDT and  Friday, July 26, from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm PDT, respectively.

Signings for these panels will take place in LEGO’s SDCC booth. The LEGO NINJAGO Dragons Rising Continues! signing will take place after its panel, at 3 PM on July 25. Meanwhile, the LEGO Masters: Back Behind the Brick signing will take place prior to the panel in the booth from 2 PM-3 PM.

Where Is LEGO’s Booth (#2829) Located?

So, where can you find LEGO’s SDCC 2024 booth, #2829? LEGO’s booth is just across from the Star Wars and Marvel booths at SDCC, right around the very middle of the Exhibitor area.

A Journey of Discovery: The Beautiful Connection Between LEGO and Space

A study by the LEGO Group finds that 86% of children are interested in finding new planets, stars, and galaxies, and 77% want to visit space. Additionally, a majority of children believe there are aliens in space, and 64% want to meet one. It’s this excitement and energy that will allow us to continue exploring space and its wonderful mysteries, and it’s this eagerness that LEGO wants to help bolster with its commitment to making space accessible. Today, children will step into LEGO’s immersive SDCC space-themed booth, and hopefully, tomorrow, they will blast off to explore our next new frontier.

While not everyone will be able to go to space, every single one of us can open a box of LEGOs and feel a sense of adventure and discovery beneath our fingers. LEGO is all about creating and discovering, taking the smallest of component parts and turning them into something much greater. Snapping those bricks together is one small step for our LEGO build and one giant step for our imaginations. Through its space sets, LEGO lets us take off on new galactic adventures every day.

So far in 2024, LEGO has helped children, adults, and more connect with their love of space. This has happened in small ways, like the release of new space-themed sets, and big ways, like helping to inspire the way astronauts are building shelters on the moon. We can’t wait to see what (inter)stellar surprises LEGO will dream of next!

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Borderlands can already lay claim to being one of the most popular, best-selling video game series of all-time. Now it has its sights set on conquering the big screen. The franchise’s first live-action film is coming to theaters this summer. And latest Borderlands trailer shows its loaded cast will have to find a way to work together. Not so it can pull off the biggest score in the galaxy’s history. They’ll have to learn how to be a team if they want to save themselves and everyone else.

Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, and Jamie Lee Curtis are ready to break the “vault” in the latest look at director Eli Roth’s upcoming Borderlands adaptation. But there’s a lot more to this story than just a heist. Edgar Ramirez’s dangerous Atlas wants the unlikely, rag-tag group to find something much more valuable to him.

Here’s Borderlands‘ official synopsis from Lionsgate to accompany the trailer:

Lilith, an infamous bounty hunter with a mysterious past, reluctantly returns to her home, Pandora, the most chaotic planet in the galaxy. Her mission is to find the missing daughter of Atlas, the universe’s most powerful S.O.B. Lilith forms an unexpected alliance with a ragtag team of misfits – Roland, a seasoned mercenary on a mission; Tiny Tina, a feral pre-teen demolitionist; Krieg, Tina’s musclebound protector; Tannis, the oddball scientist who’s seen it all; and Claptrap, a wiseass robot. Together, these unlikely heroes must battle an alien species and dangerous bandits to uncover one of Pandora’s most explosive secrets. The fate of the universe could be in their hands – but they’ll be fighting for something more: each other. 

What Is the Release Date for the Borderlands Live-Action Movie?

Roth co-wrote the script with Joe Crombie. If they have even a fraction of the success the franchise’s video games have they’ll have a hit on their hands. We’ll find out if they do when Borderlands crashes into theaters next month on August 9, 2024.

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Move over, America’s ass. There’s another MCU backside in town that is just as rotund and delightful to see in spandex. The “Merc with a Mouth,” better known as Deadpool, has buns that are so nice that there’s a new Xbox controller made in its image. No, this is not a promotional joke for Deadpool & Wolverine. There is actually an Xbox controller that is shaped like Deadpool’s butt. (Suddenly, I hear Megan Thee Stallion’s “Body” playing.)

Deadpool is also celebrating his best bubs butt with a controller shaped like Wolverine’s backside. Oh dear.

Microsoft unveiled the odd controllers on Xbox Wire, calling Deadpool’s the “Cheeky Controller” with a firm, um, grip to it. We really appreciate Deadpool’s creativity and thought he put into these designs. The sad news is that fans can only get them via a competition at this point. If you’re 18+, following Xbox on X (always Twitter in our hearts) and sharing the Xbox sweepstakes tweet gets you an entry. Maybe the Xbox controller with Deadpool and Wolverine’s butts on the back will become available for all at some point. Until then, we are totally jealous of the lucky winner (assuming it will only be one!) 

In addition to the controller, the winner will get a sweet custom console that features Deadpool’s katanas. The contest ends on August 11, which is after Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters on July 26. Let’s see who wins the battle to own Deadpool’s best asset.

Originally published on July 17, 2024.

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