• Phil Spencer: Xbox Game Pass Is ‘Very, Very Sustainable,’ Not ‘Burning Cash’

    Posted on November 15, 2021 by Kat Bailey

    Since its inception, Xbox Game Pass skeptics have wondered whether Microsoft's popular subscription program is too good to be true. With Xbox generally reluctant to share hard numbers, observers have speculated that the service is being treated as a loss leader in order to build up as many subscriptions as possible.

    But during a press blitz intended to promote today's Xbox's 20th anniversary celebration, Xbox Executive Vice President Phil Spencer said that isn't the case, even with subscriber growth beginning to slow. Instead, he said the service is "very, very sustainable" and is "continuing to grow."

    "I know there's a lot of people that like to write [that] we're burning cash right now for some future pot of gold at the end," Spencer told Axios in a new interview. "No. Game Pass is very, very sustainable right now as it sits. And it continues to grow."

    Spencer's comments follow in the wake of Forza Horizon 5's successful launch, which was available as a Day 1 release to Game Pass subscribers. With more than 8 million players since launch, Forza Horizon 5 is the biggest Xbox Game Studios launch so far.

    Earlier this year, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella confirmed that the Game Pass now has 18 million subscribers. Not bad for what was originally envisioned as a rental service.

    In the meantime, Halo Infinite multiplayer released today, and Xbox is winding down its backward compatibility program. You can find our guide on how to access Halo Infinite's multiplayer right here.

    Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN

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    The Best Xbox Gifts to Give This Holiday 2021

    Posted on November 15, 2021 by Adam Mathew

    The holidays have snuck up on us again, and it's time to hunt down the perfect gifts for your family and friends. If you're shopping for an Xbox player this holiday season, you've come to the right place, because we've got a roundup of the must-haves.

    The Top 3 Must-Have Xbox Gifts

    Though it arrived over a year ago, the Xbox Series X is incredibly difficult to catch in the wild. Probably because it's the most powerful Xbox ever, and along with Xbox Game Pass, the Xbox player you're shopping for will basically never run out of games to play.

    Best Xbox Games Gifts

    While many of Xbox's best games are on Game Pass, a lot of them still need to be bought separately. Here are the one's I'd beeline towards first.

    Best Xbox Clothing and Collectables Gifts

    If you're not sure what games the Xbox fan in your life already has, you could consider getting them a piece of Xbox clothing or a collectible they can display.

    Best Extra Controllers

    When you own an Xbox Series S or X, life is grand — but with peripherals it can be grander!

    Adam Mathew is a commerce writer for IGN AU. He replays Christmas NiGHTS every December.

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    Mel Gibson Is Back To Direct Lethal Weapon 5

    Posted on November 15, 2021 by Joseph Knoop

    Mel Gibson is set to direct Lethal Weapon 5, picking up the torch from former director Richard Donner, who died last July.

    The Hollywood Reporter says that Donner, who directed the original Lethal Weapon and all its sequels, was preparing for a fifth Lethal Weapon for some years, with scriptwriters coming and going from the project. Donner died at the age of 91. THR notes that the idea of handing off directorial duties to Gibson had been in the works for months and likely originated from Lauren Shuler Donner, a film industry producer and Richard Donner's longtime wife.

    Citing UK tabloid The Sun, THR reported that Gibson confirmed during an event on Sunday he would direct Lethal Weapon 5 and received blessing from the late Donner.

    “[Donner] was developing the screenplay and he got pretty far along with it," Gibson said. "And he said to me one day, ‘Listen, Kid, if I kick the bucket, you will do it.’ And I said, ‘Shut up.’ He did indeed pass away. But he did ask me to do it and, at the time, I didn’t say anything. He said it to his wife and to the studio and the producer. So, I will be directing the fifth one.”

    The first Lethal Weapon, released in 1987, helped launch Gibson and co-star Danny Glover to broader film success, building up on Gibson's his success in the Mad Max franchise and Glover's success in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple. The franchise similarly launched the career of Shane Black, who would go on to write Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and direct/write Iron Man 3, The Nice Guys, and The Predator. The films follow Gibson as LAPD Sergeant Martin Riggs and Glover as veteran homicide sergeant Roger Murtaugh. Its blend of action film stylings and buddy cop drama were parodied throughout cinema in the years since in films like Hot Fuzz.

    Gibson is no stranger behind the camera either, winning an Oscar for best director for Braveheart. He also directed The Passion of the Christ, Apocalypto, and WWII film Hacksaw Ridge.

    Last we heard in 2020, Danny Glover said that Lethal Weapon 5 would have a "very strong relevance" to current events, but that remains to be seen if script changes have been made since.

    Blogroll image credit: Kurt Krieger/Getty Images

    Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer/lethal weapon for IGN.

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    The Wheel of Time – Release Date, Cast, How to Watch Episodes & Updates

    Posted on November 15, 2021 by Adam Bankhurst

    The first season of Amazon’s adaptation of The Wheel of Time is set to premiere on November 19 and looks to tell the story made famous in Robert Jordan’s beloved fantasy novels. Considering this tale spans not just 14 novels, but also a prequel story and two companion books, there can be a lot to keep track of.

    This guide will break down everything you need to know for The Wheel of Time’s streaming debut, including the full cast, all the images and trailers released so far, and details of its production from those who are bringing it to life.

    The Wheel of Time TV Series Release Date

    The first three episodes of the first season of The Wheel of Time will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on November 19, 2021

    The Wheel of Time Episode Release Schedule

    The remaining five episodes will air each and every week until the finale on December 24, 2021.

    How Can I Watch The Wheel of Time?

    The Wheel of Time will be available to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

    How Many Episodes Are in The Wheel of Time’s First Season?

    Amazon has confirmed that the first season of The Wheel of Time will consist of eight episodes. It has also revealed the names of the first six episodes, and they are as follows;

    • “Leavetaking”
    • “Shadow’s Waiting”
    • “A Place of Safety”
    • “The Dragon Reborn”
    • “Blood Calls Blood”
    • “The Flame of Tar Valon”

    Will The Wheel of Time Get a Second Season?

    Prior to ever airing an episode, Amazon announced that The Wheel of Time will be returning for at least a second season.

    The Wheel of Time Cast, Actors, and Crew

    While Amazon may not be casting all 2,782 named characters that appear in The Wheel of Time books, some of its biggest names will be making the transition from page to screen.

    The show will follow Moiraine, played by Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Die Another Day, and Pride & Prejudice) as she and five young men and women embark on a “dangerous, world-spanning journey.” Furthermore, one of the party’s members is “prophesied to be the Dragon reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.”

    Cast List:

    • Rosamund Pike as Moiraine
    • Zoe Robins as Nynaeve al’Meara
    • Marcus Rutherford as Perrin Ayabara
    • Josha Stradowski as Rand Al’Thor
    • Barney Harris as Mat Cauthon
    • Madeleine Madden as Egwene Al’Vere
    • Daniel Henney as Lan Mondragoran
    • Johann Myers as Padan Fain
    • Hammed Animashaun as Loial
    • Alvaro Morte as Logain Ablar
    • Alexandre Willaume as Thom Merrilin
    • Kae Alexander as Min Farshaw
    • Sophie Okoonedo as Siuan Sanche
    • Peter Franzen as Stepin
    • Kate Fleetwood as Liandrin Guirale
    • Clare Perkin as Kerene Hanashi
    • and more!

    Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD and Hemlock Grove’s Rafe Judkins is serving as showrunner and will executive produce the series with Rick Selvage, Larry Mondragon, Ted Field, Mike Weber, Lauren Selig, and Darren Lemke. Uta Briesewitz, who has previously directed episodes of Stranger Things and Westworld, will also direct the first two episodes of Season 1.

    The Wheel of Time is being produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Red Eagle Entertainment and Radar Pictures.

    The Wheel of Time Books

    How Many Books are in The Wheel of Time Series?

    The Wheel of Time series is made up of 14 fantasy novels by Robert Jordan that are surely worth a look if you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones.

    The Wheel of Time Story and Author Overview

    The story of Wheel of Time spans thousands of years, but there is a core loop that is repeated each generation and involves a great hero known as the Dragon and an evil entity known as the Dark One.

    These two figures are meant to face off in what is known as the Last Battle that will determine the fate of the world, and this cycle is repeated as the Dragon is reborn again and again. At one point, the Dark One, in his final act before he was defeated, tainted the magical source of the Dragon’s power. This caused all male magic users, known as the Aes Sedai, to be driven mad. This affliction was the main reason these Aes Sedai were hunted down and eliminated.

    When the Wheel of Time actually begins, we follow protagonist Rand al’Thor as he discovers he is more than a simple farm boy and is able to wield the power of the Aes Sedai and may be the Dragon reborn.

    As previously mentioned, Robert Jordan was the creator and author of the Wheel of Time books, but he unfortunately passed away while he was writing the final book, A Memory of Light. His wife and editor Harriet McDougal and fantasy author Brandon Sanderson completed the story based on his unfinished work and notes, and the tale was told.

    The Wheel of Time IGN First Coverage

    We debuted a ton of new information and coverage on The Wheel of Time as part of an IGN First special, and below you can catch up on each and every bit of news and lore we’ve released so far.

    The Wheel of Time Showrunner Reveals Hidden Secrets in our Exclusive Trailer Breakdown

    The Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins joined us to break down The Wheel of Time’s official trailer.

    Amazon's The Wheel of Time: Who Are Moiraine and Rand?

    While we were on The Wheel of Time’s set in Prague back in 2019, we spoke to Rosamund Pike, who’s portraying the powerful Aes Sedai known as Moiraine Damodred, and other members of the cast and they shared a bit about their characters.

    The Wheel of Time: Aes Sedai Explained

    In an exclusive interview with the cast and showrunner of The Wheel of Time, we discuss what makes the Aes Sedai so important to the story in this first season.

    The Wheel of Time: The Dragon and the Dark One Explained

    We talked to the cast and showrunner of the show and they explained more about The Dragon and the Dark One and what fans can expect from this first season.

    The Wheel of Time: Bringing the Story to Life From Book to Screen

    In our exclusive IGN First coverage of The Wheel of Time, we take a look at how showrunner Rafe Judkins and his team brought Robert Jordan’s iconic fantasy saga to life.

    Is There a Wheel of Time Movie in the Works?

    In July 2021, it was confirmed that X-Men: First Class and Thor writer Zack Stentz was said to have been signed to write a script for the first movie in a new Wheel of Time trilogy. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Stentz's film will reportedly be called Age of Legends.

    The film will be produced by Larry Mondragon and Rick Selvage of iwot productions alongside Ted Field and Justin Smith of Radar Pictures. James Leon, Eva Longoria, and Mike McGuiness are set to executive produce the film.

    THR has also said that the movie is set to "complement the storylines" that will be featured in the Amazon series.

    Age of Legends is not the name of a book in Robert Jordan's fantasy series, but the Age of Legends is a period of time within the lore of The Wheel of time. THR's report says the story will "be set several millennia before the time of the books in a futuristic utopia powered by a magical force shared by men and women known as the One Power."

    Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

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    Halo Infinite: Initial Multiplayer Reactions Are Positive Even As Battle Pass Grind Draws Criticism

    Posted on November 15, 2021 by Logan Plant

    After a week full of rumors, the reports turned out to be true, as Microsoft released Halo Infinite's multiplayer more than three weeks early. The multiplayer was supposed to launch alongside Infinite's campaign on December 8, but now that it's here to celebrate the franchise's 20th anniversary, the reactions are already pouring in.

    After many players had to figure out how to get around Halo Infinite's blue screen, Spartans on PC and Xbox consoles have been jumping into Halo Infinite's multiplayer beta.

    Fans Reacting to the Early Release

    Even though it had been rumored for the past few days, many Halo fans were still surprised and delighted by the multiplayer's early launch. In addition to raw excitement over the release, fans also reacted to the launch lining up with the 20th anniversary of the franchise.

    Players Joking About the Blue Screen

    As players waited for the blue screen to go away to jump into the multiplayer, they passed the time by posting jokes and memes about the giant, blue roadblock.

    How Halo's Early Release Impacts Other Games

    It's a stacked year for FPS games, with the release of a new Battlefield, Halo, Far Cry, Call of Duty, and more. Some players reacted to dropping the other games on their list in favorite of Infinite, while others joked about storage space on their consoles, and the stress on Xbox's servers with the recent release of Forza Horizon 5.

    Gameplay Reactions

    Of course, now that the game is live, players are reacting to how Halo Infinite feels. Many players are happy with the gameplay, calling it incredible. Some are happy with all of the built-in modes, while a few players are worried about the battle pass progression, calling it an "unenjoyable grind".

    "It’s a slog already," one user wrote on Reddit. Many players are agreeing, saying the gameplay is fun, but the progression for the battle pass is way too slow. Season 1 of the battle pass, titled Heroes of Reach, touts more than 100 rewards to earn along with a host of limited time events. The season will run until May 2022.

    In the meantime, other folks also want to see the modes split up in different playlists. Right now, Slayer, the main deathmatch mode, is grouped together with the objective-based modes in one large playlist. Many are hoping to see Slayer separated into a different playlist so it is always available.

    Modes and progression systems can always change in a live service game like Halo Infinite, so it will be interesting to see how these opinions change over time. Overall though, impressions seem positive — in stark contrast to Battlefield 2042, which is also in the process of launching.

    It'll only be a few more weeks until we see the Halo fanbase's reaction to the Halo Infinite campaign. For now, you can check out our Halo Infinite campaign hands-on preview. Or, check out how 343 is approaching battle passes for Infinite's multiplayer.

    Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

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