No, you’re not seeing things – Apex Legends could eventually include Overwatch-style crossovers, bringing pop-culture content to Kings Canyon.
“I don’t think anything is off the table,” said EA CEO Andrew Wilson during an investor call today. “I think that as we think about game IP today, it’s kind of like comic book IP of 20 or 30 years ago. This is the IP that Gen Z and Jen Alpha perhaps identify mostly with.”
“I think the opportunity for us to continue to grow and expand and stretch the nature of the experiences that we’re able to offer to our global player base over the next decade and beyond is unfettered,” he added.
It’s not the first to do this, of course, and follows in the footsteps of Fortnite which has long used brand crossovers to win over fans. It’s currently sporting some pretty neat Star Wars-themed gear courtesy of its mini-battle pass, Find the Force.
Although there are no concrete plans to add this in the near future, Apex fans could well see something similar. At the very least, it’s not being ruled out.
“Apex is certainly front and center as we think about our business model,” said Wilson. “We have a substantial player base with incredible retention and you know, as is the nature of these free-to-play environments, there are ebbs and flows and I think what is unique to Apex is its ability to engage and re-engage through those ebbs and flows.”
IGN’s Apex Legends review gave it 9/10 and said: “Apex Legends has become my go-to game when I want something fun and competitive. Being able to squad up with friends and try out different combinations of Legend abilities in the hunt for that satisfying Champion win screen is the perfect mix of thrilling and approachable. The consistent updates keep the gunplay from ever feeling repetitive and boring, and no match is ever the same as another, no matter the mode or map. “
Following the halt of Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision/Blizzard, both companies have vowed to appeal the decision from the UK’s CMA (Competition and Market Authority) board. And now, Activision has taken the first big step forward by hiring a lawyer who previously handled cases for the UK Parliament and Queen Elizabeth II to represent the appeal.
As reported by Florian Mueller, the legal advisor — whose full title is Lord David Pannick KC (King’s Council) — will represent the appeal for Activision/Blizzard to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). Microsoft also plans to proceed with a parallel appeal with UK lawyer Daniel Beard KC handling the case.
This news comes a full two weeks following the sudden and surprising halt to Microsoft’s plans to acquire Activision/Blizzard’s various studios and its IPs. Before the CMA’s decision, the acquisition gained traction over its yearlong examination from global agencies following the announcement in January 2022.
Pannick has served as a lawyer in the legal field for several decades and is seen as one of the UK’s most prominent figures in the legal field. Previously, Pannick has taken on clients such as Boris Johnson during the infamous “Partygate” scandal during the COVID-19 pandemic and handled cases for Queen Elizabeth II during her later years. Currently, the legal advisor works at the Blackstone Chambers, which specializes in cases in the field of commerce and government. This move to bring on Pannick from Activision shows that this appeal will likely see an extended period of discourse and debate for the foreseeable future.
‘A disappointing decision’
The decision to halt the massive acquisition was a result of the CMA finding that Microsoft’s market advantage in cloud computing and how the addition of Activision/Blizzard and its vast library of popular games would lead to an unfair advantage against competitors. Following the announcement from the CMA, Activision/Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick voiced his outrage at the decision, stating that the UK was “clearly closed for business.”
BREAKING #ActivisionBlizzard$ATVI has hired an ultra-high-profile UK lawyer to help lead the @CATribunal appeal of the @CMAgovUK merger-blocking decision: Lord David Pannick KC (KC = King’s Counsel)
His clients include(d), among others, – Queen Elizabeth II, – former Prime…
“The CMA decision was disappointing,” he said. “I’ve been talking to that group for coming up on a year. They’ve defined a market of cloud gaming that in my mind doesn’t really exist yet today, but they have a point of view that maybe we have a lead in a market that is just forming and that this content could somehow prohibit others from competing in that market.”
The appeals from both Activision/Blizzard and Microsoft will be heard by the CAT, which will then decide if the CMA’s decision to halt the acquisition was lawful. Previously, the CMA made a motion to the Meta company, that it had to sell the image/social media site Giphy, which the company lost an appeal to.
For more information about the CMA’s decision to halt the acquisition, be sure to read our explainer detailing what we learned. Be sure to stick with IGN as more details come to light.
Alessandro Fillari is a contributing writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @afillari.
If you’ve been holding off on getting a PS5, but are eager to play Final Fantasy XVI when it comes out on June 22, here’s some good news. You can pick up a bundle that includes a PS5 disc console, plus the upcoming Final Fantasy installment, all for $559.99. That represents a $10 discount off buying the items separately, but you also get the awesome Final Fantasy PS5 box. So it’s probably worth grabbing, all things considered.
Where to Preorder the PS5 Final Fantasy XVI Bundle
The PS5 is an excellent console that continues to dominate Xbox Series X|S this generation. Final Fantasy XVI is shaping up to be a massive, epic adventure involving warring kingdoms and powerful crystals that must be destroyed. It’s also a PS5 exclusive, at least for the first six months after launch. Check out our Final Fantasy 16 preorder guide for information about what comes in the various editions and how much they cost.
You can find out more about the game in our exclusive Final Fantasy XVI interview with the game’s director, and be sure to check out our Final Fantasy XVI hands-on preview. That ought to tell you everything you need to know about whether it’s your kind of game or not.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN’s board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed or on Mastodon @chrislreed.
Available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows.
Free-roaming atmospheric puzzle game about a boy lost in a supernatural forest.
Unravel the forest mysteries by photographing the strange cryptid inhabitants.
I’m excited to announce that Moonrise Fall, after years of development, is falling onto Xbox! A personal passion project of mine that draws from my real-life experience to inspire a fantastical world. A world filled with the strange and otherworldly.
The Game
Our protagonist finds himself lost in a supernatural forest after nearly dying in a car crash and losing both parents. Dazed and confused, the boy stumbles upon a few tools to aid him in his journey: A Pocket Watch with the ability to control the time of day. A lantern to light his path and alert him of nearby supernatural happenings. A journal to guide him and assist him in discovering the many mysterious creatures that reside there. A kalimba (musical instrument) with the power to control the weather and more.
During the boy’s journey into the unknown, he will discover ominous caves, abandoned lumber mills, mystifying temples, strange languages, enigmatic creatures, arcane spirits, and numerous secrets. Sleuth your way through puzzles and explore the supernatural world to find the true meaning behind its existence and ultimately discover the fate of the boy.
Tips & Tricks
Pay close attention to your lantern. When near a creature, collectible, or secret, the lantern will begin to shimmer and the faint sound of chimes can be heard.
Trust nothing your eyes can see. Use your camera and viewfinder to discover what is real and, more importantly, what is not.
The clues to discovering the many creatures in the game lay in the journal. Read each entry closely to decipher all the clues.
Some discoveries can only be made at certain times of day and/or during certain types of weather. Experiment to find out more.
The forest may be more alive than you think and may even work against you.
Moonrise Fall uses a unique music system. It generates multiple layers of music and mixes seamlessly to ensure no two play-throughs are the same, producing a dreamy alive feeling to the forest and its inhabitants. The music mixed with the subtle and detailed soundscapes creates an immersive feeling to draw you closer and get lost in.
It’s been a great pleasure of mine to create and share this world with you. I hope you find Moonrise Fall is worth falling for. Play it today on Xbox.
Moonrise Fall is an atmospheric exploration puzzle game about a boy who finds himself lost in a supernatural forest after losing both parents in a car crash. Put your detective skills to the test. Armed with a clue-filled journal, a camera, and a lantern he must unravel the mysteries of the forest and photograph the strange creatures that reside there. Moonrise Fall is a brain teaser-filled world mixed with classic adventuring, exploration, and collecting. A surreal understated experience about loss and finding new life inspired by real-life experiences. Uncover locations like caves, mines, a lumber mill, as well as otherworldly locales at your own pace. Discover why the boy has been trapped in this strange place and by whom.
I hereby vow for all the world to see that when Starfield launches in September, I will do my damndest to avoid having any sex at all in Bethesda’s spacefaring RPG. The North American ratings board have detailed the types of content which earned the game a Mature 17+ rating, including “suggestive material” in dialogue “after sharing a bed with characters”. Oh no. The listing includes several examples of post-coital pillow talk, and they are about sexy as you would expect from the studio whose dialogue is best known for inadvertently spawning memes about mudcrabs and knee injuries.
The beautiful watercolour vistas of Dordogne have been on my radar for a whilenow, and happily developers Un Je Ne Sais Quoi have just announced exactly when we’ll be able to smoosh our faces in its lovely, puzzle-y paint pot. It’s coming to PC and consoles on June 13th, making it the perfect palette cleanser to all the preceding not-E3 nonsense that will be taking place in the days beforehand. I recently played a short demo of Dordogne, and it really is as lovely as its gorgeous screenshots suggest. I’m looking forward to this one a lot.
New Legend – Ballistic, an Assault Class Refined Gunslinger, is ready to return to the Apex Games and brings a unique passive, tactical, and ultimate ability.
World’s Edge Map Update – The Apex Museum is a new point of interest, plus the lava fissures are healing and the world is cooling, giving the map a whole new look.
Firing Range Remodeled – Completely redesigned to offer better training opportunities, including test dummies that shoot back.
The new season of Apex Legends is here! Arsenal launches today and ushers in a ton of new content and updates, including a new Legend, major map updates to World’s Edge, and so much more. Here are the features I’m the most excited for, but you can expect a ton more content when you jump into Apex Legends today and throughout this season! Read the official patch notes here.
New Legend – Ballistic
Ballistic is described as a refined older gentleman living with a beast inside, which sounds to me like a disgruntled old man yelling at Loot Ticks to get off his lawn. My kind of Legend (I’m a refined older gamer). He sports some interesting passive, tactical, and ultimate abilities, including a pistol with a smart bullet that tracks down its target, disrupting their weapon while causing them damage; the ability to carry three weapons (the slung weapon stored in the third slot cannot be upgraded with attachments); and the power to buff nearby teammates with increased speed and unlimited ammo – while upgrading his slung third weapon to a golden version of that weapon. As someone who likes to carry a sniper rifle but seldom does since it’s not ideal for every situation, this is an appealing ability.
With all the sweeping changes added last season including the introduction of classes and perks, we didn’t get a new Legend, so I’m excited we’re back in the cadence of one being added with this season and can’t wait to see him in action! Read more about Ballistic, including his backstory, class perks, and abilities at the official website.
Map Update – World’s Edge
World’s Edge is getting a major makeover with some big changes to the existing layout. There’s a new vault to the north, Skyhook experienced a recent snowfall, smoke is clearing from the sky, the lava fissures are cooling off, but perhaps the biggest recognizable change I can’t wait to check out is the addition of the Monument Point of Interest. Nestled near the center of the map, this museum honors Apex’s past, present, and future with exhibits ranging from tribal artifacts to abstract sculptures. There’s even a gift shop, though I doubt it sells equipment and ammo.
Other significant changes include modifications to the Harvester and Lava City areas. The construction stack in Fragment West, arguably the most popular and combat intensive landing spot in World’s Edge, is being relocated to the Lava City area to the south. This change is sure to shake up the tactical approach to the start of each match. There are also a few other surprises you’re sure to notice the next time you jump into World’s Edge this season.
Ground Up Remodel – Firing Range
Firing Range has been completely overhauled and with its grand reopening in the Arsernal Update it has so much more to offer players looking to hone their skills and test out the arsenal of weapons. The Firing Range now offers an agility course for you to practice your movements, training grounds to simulate combat with programmable test dummies that shoot back, and a duel pit where you can battle it out against your friends in a little player versus player action. My Player Two and I used to do this in the old Firing Range, so the fact we now have an actual dedicated spot for dueling is a welcomed surprise. Whether you’re a new, current, or returning player, you should check out the new improved Firing Range. Who knows, you might learn a thing or two and have fun while doing it. I know I will!
New Progression System – Weapon Mastery
With the Weapon Mastery Progression System, every weapon can be levelled up by using the weapon (in any game mode) and completing challenges related to that weapon. Rewards are earned along the way including a Legendary Weapon Apex Pack specific to each weapon you master, culminating in a unique banner frame once you’ve mastered them all.
This is a great strategy to encourage players new and old to earn rewards for varying their loadout and learning the capabilities of each weapon. I am a big fan of completing the daily, weekly, special event challenges, and I’m excited about having even more tasks to track and complete for rewards just for playing the game.
New Survival Slot Item – Evac Tower
Previously, you could equip a heat shield or mobile respawn beacon in the Survival Slot, but with the Apex Legends Arsenal update, you can now equip the Evac Tower. This item can be found in all the same places as most other items – on the ground, inside loot bins, and on care packages. They are essentially a mobile Jump Tower and can be used to traverse the map quickly – either towards or away from combat, depending on your team’s style of play. They’re also great for pouncing on care packages or escaping from ring closures.
Activating the Evac Tower will launch a rocket into the air, which will then deploy a giant balloon, like the giant red balloons used by the Jump Towers. A zip line will anchor the balloon to the spot, and the Evac Tower will be ready for operation. Once used, you will ascend to the balloon, and then you can skydive to your next destination.
A few notes about the Evac Tower. It’s not permanent, its health deteriorates over time and will eventually be destroyed. Shooting at it will speed this process up, and yes, that includes friendly fire. Also, anytime you launch a rocket into the air with a balloon and zipline attached, you’re pretty much pinpointing your location to any nearby enemies. That can be bad…or good?
Ping Wheel Update
Yes, I’m excited about a Ping Wheel update, which seems kind of ridiculous, but it’s probably the most consistently used item in the game. Not every Legend gets used every match, and not every weapon gets used every game. But I’d bet a bag of Apex Coins the Ping Wheel gets used by you, your teammates, or someone on the other team, each and every round, making it one of the most widely used elements in the game.
With this latest update, new ping options are replacing some of the underused ones to strengthen and improve squad communications, with two additional pings being added for skydiving and knocked players. It’s a small update to a simple feature, but an important one that most Apex players rely on.
As with every new Apex Legends season, Arsenal will feature a unique Battle Pass complete with new Challenges and Rewards, including Legend and weapon skins, gun charms, banner frames, emotes, and more! But that’s not all, the team has a host of upcoming events, sales, and content releasing throughout the season. For more details, visit the official website and follow @PlayApex on Twitter.
Apex Legends is a free-to-play shooter available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Be sure to check out everything included in the new Arsenal season when it launches today. And if you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, don’t forget to redeem your perks and grab the Gilded Fortunes Weapon Charm available for a limited time with your monthly EA Play Rewards.
*Conditions & restrictions apply. See http://x.ea.com/76001
Contains in-game purchases.
Conquer with character in Apex Legends, a free-to-play* Hero shooter where legendary characters with powerful abilities team up to battle for fame & fortune on the fringes of the Frontier.
Master an ever-growing roster of diverse legends, deep tactical squad play, and bold new innovations that go beyond the Battle Royale experience—all within a rugged world where anything goes. Welcome to the next evolution of Hero Shooter.
KEY FEATURES:
A Roster of Legendary Characters – Master a growing roster of powerful Legends, each with their own unique personality, strengths, and abilities that are easy to pick up, but challenging to truly master
Build Your Crew – Choose your Legend and combine their unique skills together with other players to form the ultimate crew.
Strategic Squad Play – Whether you’re battling on a massive floating city in Battle Royale or dueling in limited time modes, you’ll need to think fast. Master your Legend’s unique abilities and coordinate with your teammates to discover new tactics and powerful combinations.
Innovative Combat – Master an expanding assortment of powerful weapons and equipment. You’ll need to move fast and learn the rhythms of each weapon to get the most of your arsenal. Plus change it up in with a boatload of new content each season.
Ever-Expanding Universe – Apex Legends takes place in an immersive universe where the story continues to evolve, maps change, and new Legends keep joining the fight. Make your mark on the Apex Games with a multitude of distinctive outfits and join the adventure!
This game includes optional in-game purchases of virtual currency that can be used to acquire virtual in-game items, including a random selection of virtual in-game items.
*Applicable platform account and platform subscription (sold separately) may be required. Persistent internet connection and EA account required. Age restrictions apply. Includes in-game purchases.
Conditions and restrictions apply. See www.ea.com/legal for details.
This in-game currency can be used to purchase new cosmetic items for characters and weapons in the direct purchase shop.
Apex Coins can also be used to purchase cosmetic Apex Packs and to unlock new characters through the in-game store.
*Requires Apex Legends on applicable platform (sold separately) and all game updates. Other conditions and restrictions apply. See ea.com/legal for details.
The release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 may mark the end of an era for the original team, but it’s an era that will stand the test of time. James Gunn’s trilogy of Marvel films will always be adored, along with that beloved bunch of A-holes we’ve grown to love over the years.
It’s true, this team fooled around and we fell in love. And with all of that comes a desire to show off that love, which is why we’ve collected a variety of Guardians of the Galaxy-themed gifts and merch for you to enjoy. Whether you want to have the Awesome Mixes to play around the house or some excellent LEGO sets to build, we’ve got you covered in our Guardians of the Galaxy gift guide.
Best Guardians of the Galaxy Gifts and Merch
Below, you can find some of our personal favorite gift ideas. The latest Awesome Mix for Vol. 3 has some excellent songs on it — from the acoustic version of Creep by Radiohead to the Beastie Boys’ No Sleep Till Brooklyn — and the Nerf Quad Blaster and Adam Warlock figure are great pick-ups for those interested in toys and collectibles.
Guardians of the Galaxy LEGO Gifts
Whether you want to construct the Guardians’ new ship from Vol. 3 or an adorable baby Groot, we’ve got a great selection of LEGO gifts below to choose from.
Guardians of the Galaxy Music/Vinyl LPs
Music is at Guardians’ core, and there are plenty of excellent songs scattered throughout each of James Gunn’s films. If you have yet to get your hands on one of the Awesome Mixes or its score, you can find links to their CDs and vinyls below.
Guardians of the Galaxy Funko Pop Vinyls
Funko Pops are aplenty when it comes to Guardians of the Galaxy, and there’s truly no better time to pick them up than now so they don’t end up in a landfill. Below, you can see a wide variety that are available, from Vol. 3 and last year’s Christmas special.
Guardians of the Galaxy Comics/Books
Even though their cinematic journey is over (for now), the Guardians’ adventures carry on in both comics and books. From classic comics to an ultimate guide to the Guardians, we’ve listed a variety that’s sure to make any Guardians fan happy.
Consider Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy on PS5 or Xbox
It’s an underrated gem, and well worth considering if you or your loved one never got around to playing it. With some of the best video game writing and voice work of the current (and even the last) generation, GotG is the perfect companion piece to the new movie if you’re looking for even more action, laughs, and emotional vulnerability from your favorite space-based heroes.
Guardians of the Galaxy Clothing/Merch
If you prefer to wear your love of Guardians, we’ve got you covered with several different clothing items that look and feel great. Most have an excellent 80s style as well for a nice creative touch.
Guardians of the Galaxy Blu-rays
Even though Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is in theaters — to which you can check out showtimes for your local cinema here — there’s nothing wrong with picking up a Blu-ray pack of Volumes 1 and 2 to have at home right now. Below, we have both the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD versions listed that are worth adding to your Marvel movie collection.
Cute Guardians of the Galaxy Gifts and Merch
You really can’t go wrong with these adorable Groot socks and stuffed pillow! We are Groot, after all.
Guardians of the Galaxy Toys and Collectibles
And for those looking to pick up new toys and collectibles, we’ve got a fantastic array to choose from. Whether you want to jump on preorders for the new Star-Lord and Rocket statue from S.H.Figuarts or an action figure from the Marvel Legends Series, you can find a great selection listed below.
To see even more toys and collectibles that are worth picking up, make sure to check out our toys and collectibles gift guide to see some of the best that are available in 2023. And, for more from the world of Marvel, check out our collection of the best Marvel gifts for this year.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.
Minimalist subway management sim Mini Metro and its overground follow-up Mini Motorways are getting a crossover update on July 24th to celebrate the series’ tenth birthday, developer Dinosaur Polo Club have announced. Maps from Mini Metros are headed to Mini Motorways and vice versa, along with some other additions as part of the nicely named Miniversary Update.
Nintendo has put a stop to rumours about its new hardware, whether it’s the long-rumoured Switch Pro or otherwise, by declaring that a Switch successor won’t be released until April 2024 at the earliest.
As reported by Bloomberg, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa explained during an investors presentation that it isn’t considering new hardware in the 2023/24 financial year. This means that Nintendo’s next home console won’t be released until late April 2024 at the earliest.
This comes despite a decline in Switch sales. The console sold close to 18 million units in the last financial year, down from 23 million sold the year before and 28 million the year before that. Nintendo isn’t looking to rush a new console out to tackle this decline though, as it has forecast another drop for the coming year.
“Sustaining the Switch’s sales momentum will be difficult in its seventh year,” said Furukawa during the presentation. “Our goal of selling 15 million units this fiscal year is a bit of a stretch, but we will do our best to bolster demand going into the holiday season so that we can achieve the goal.”
