Category: Video Games

Wizards of the Coast is canceling at least five unannounced games as it seeks to focus on games “strategically aligned with developing our existing brands,” according to a new report by Bloomberg.

While it’s unclear which games have been canceled, Wizards of the Coast claims that fewer than 15 people at the company have been impacted by the changes. The company told IGN in a statement:

We remain committed to using digital games as a cornerstone of our strategy for bringing our games to players around the world. We have made some changes to our long-term portfolio to focus on games which are strategically aligned with developing our existing brands and those which show promise in expanding or engaging our audience in new ways.

Hidden Path Entertainment and OtherSide Entertainment, both of which were working on games for Wizards of the Coast, are among the studios potentially affected by the cancellations.

The cancellations come in the wake of an ambitious 2022 expansion that saw the company open multiple new studios. They included Skeleton Key, an Austin-based studio led by former BioWare developer Christian Dailey, and Invoke Games, a Montreal-based studio organized by the developers of 2021’s Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance.

In addition to opening Invoke Games and Skeleton Key, Wizards of the Coast is publishing Baldur’s Gate 3 by Larian Studios. It also had several other games in the works, including a sci-fi role-playing game by former BioWare developer James Ohlen and a game by Atomic Arcade starring G.I. Joe’s Snake Eyes.

In pushing into the digital space, Wizards of the Coast has found success with Magic: The Gathering Arena, but its Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance revival by Tuque Games was panned by fans and critics alike. Hasbro likewise saw its stock plummet late last year over its handling of Magic: The Gathering, including its pricey 30th anniversary edition that sparked furor among fans.

Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast will hope for a better reception for Baldur’s Gate 3, which is slated to enter full release in August.

Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.

With Team Ninja’s upcoming action game Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty as January’s IGN First, 2023 is off to a good start. If you like dying, that is – because you’ll be doing that a lot. Expect tons of exclusive coverage throughout the month of this new Soulsborne based on Chinese martial arts, developed by the team behind Ninja Gaiden and Nioh.

First off, we have 10 minutes of exclusive gameplay from Tianzhushan, a stage early in the game. The beautiful mountainscape and lush bamboo forests are breathtaking, but with bloodthirsty enemies around each corner, it might be best not to spend too long admiring the scenery.

With items hidden on top of rocks that can be reached using the double jump and secret passages that can be discovered by cutting bamboo trees, Tianzhushan is a good example of Wo Long’s diverse exploration.

Our video debuts gameplay of the Staff as well. Iconic to traditional Chinese martial arts, the Staff is one of Wo Long’s 13 melee weapon types and boasts acrobatic body movement.

The eerie mermaids and fearsome tigers from the demo are back, but new enemies including a giant ape and a hedgehog-like creature with a spinning attack reminiscent of Nioh’s Wheelmonk caught us off guard. Inside a creepy cave, we were welcomed by a surprise attack from an enemy that still gives us nightmares. Check out the video to see for yourself!

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is set to release on March 3 for PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC and will be available on Xbox Game Pass day one! Expect to see much more new Wo Long content throughout January on IGN.

Esra Krabbe is an editor at IGN Japan.

It seems that From Software is really onto something with Elden Ring. Not only was it IGN’s Game of the Year 2022, but it’s also been a massive success with fans, selling millions and millions of copies. If you count yourself an Elden Ring fan, you might want to check these out: up for preorder on Amazon right now are volume 1 and volume 2 of the Elden Ring official Art Books. They’re set to publish on July 25, and they’re both on sale for $53.99, which is six dollars off their MSRP.

Preorder Elden Ring Official Art Books

Both volumes are oversized hardcover editions that measure 8.25″ x 11.75″. The’re full-color volumes that feature key art, concept work, and development designs for all parts of the open-world action RPG.

The first volume weighs in at 432 pages and contains art from Elden Ring’s opening movie, plus scenes from the open world of the Lands Between, including the dungeons. You’ll also get to see images and artwork of many of the game’s characters and armor designs.

Volume two is 384 pages long and focuses more on the enemies, of which there are many great and small in the game. You’ll also find art and lists of the weapons and items found in the game in this volume.

If you’re interested in more Elden Ring hardbacks, take a look at where you can find both of the Elden Ring Official Strategy Guide. One volume is available now, and the other is expected to release in the first quarter of 2023.

Chris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed.