• The Internet Reacts to Chris Pratt as Garfield and Apparently Every Other Role in the Universe

    Posted on November 2, 2021 by Logan Plant

    Thanks to the recent news that Chris Pratt will voice Garfield in an upcoming animated movie, the internet is once again sharing opinions, jokes, and memes.

    Pratt has been a hot topic on the internet ever since the announcement of his casting as Super Mario in the upcoming Mario movie from Illumination. When it was announced in September's Nintendo Direct, the internet went crazy. Now, with the Garfield news, that makes two iconic characters Pratt is set to voice, and the internet has a new set of reactions to share.

    First, Pratt himself posted on Instagram, simply saying, "Well this Monday doesn't suck."

    Some people liked imagining how Pratt felt during the Mario announcement, knowing another bombshell casting reveal was just around the corner.

    Others, liked the idea of Pratt on a Thanos-like conquest to voice every famous fictional character, citing Mario, Garfield, Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Winnie the Pooh, and Homer Simpson.

    Some responses joked that Pratt is not the right fit for Garfield, citing Pratt's weight loss compared to Garfield's love of laying around and eating lots of lasagna.

    Since the gap between the Mario announcement and the Garfield news was so short, some joked that it's only a matter of time until we see Pratt casting news every single day.

    Some are worried that Chris Pratt might just sound like Chris Pratt in the role of Mario and Garfield, while others say his solid work in The Lego Movie is a reason to have hope for his performances.

    It's not only the Garfield casting fans are reacting to, however. People online are also posting jokes of new roles Pratt should play in a movie.

    We don't know the rest of the cast for the Garfield movie yet. And while Pratt hasn't directly responded to the Garfield reactions besides his initial post, he did tell fans he's "working hard" to get Mario's voice right.

    For more about Illumination's Super Mario Bros. movie, read about how the upcoming film, due out December 2022, will incorporate Maniscalco's Foreman Spike. And read about how the Internet (and Chris Pratt) reacted to the announcement that he would be playing Mario.

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

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    New Simpsons Short Is Basically Kingdom Hearts, But With Homer Simpson

    Posted on November 2, 2021 by Joseph Knoop

    Disney has announced a new crossover between The Simpsons and…well, all of the Disney cinematic universe as part of the upcoming "Disney Plusaversary" event on November 12. It marks the third Simpsons short to crossover with Disney properties, including the Marvel-themed "The Good, The Bart, and The Loki" and the Star Wars-themed "The Force Awakens From Its Nap."

    If I had to describe the new short, simply titled "The Simpsons in Plusaversary," it's basically Kingdom Hearts if you replaced anime boy protagonist Sora with Homer. The short will follow the Simpson family as they throw an anniversary party for Disney Plus and all of Disney's characters, but Homer discovers he's not on the guest list. Judging from the key art Disney has released, Homer will come across a visibly exhausted Goofy and presumably hijinks will ensue.

    The short will premiere on November 12 alongside all of Disney Plus Day's other special content, "fan experiences, exclusive offers and more."

    The previous Simpsons Disney Plus shorts have been, as you might imagine, much shorter than a typical episode. The Good, The Bad, and The Loki featured Tom Hiddleston as a guest star playing the trickster god, riffing on Marvel's film tropes like mid-credits scenes. "The Force Awakens From Its Nap" follows Maggie during her day at a Star Wars-themed daycare, meeting BB-8 and dueling her nemesis with a lightsaber-shaped pacifier. Both shorts ran no more than 5 minutes long.

    As for other Disney Plus Day content, we know a Marvel special feature is coming on November 12 as well, teasing "an exciting look towards the future." Films like Shang-Chi, Jungle Cruise, and Home Sweet Home Alone will all arrive on the streaming service on the same day. Star Wars fans will also be treated to a Boba Fett-themed holiday special.

    Joseph Knoop is a writer/reporter/carbon blob from sector 7G for IGN.

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    Best PC Gaming Gifts: Holiday Gift Guide 2021

    Posted on November 2, 2021 by Matthew Adler

    The holiday season is upon us, and that means it's time to start crossing off your shopping lists for all of your loved ones. If you're looking for the perfect gift for someone into PC gaming, we've got you covered.

    PC gaming has seen a major resurgence in the past few years, and it's no doubt due to the vast library of games available and the rise of many popular multiplayer games such as Valorant, Apex Legends, Fortnite, and more. Additionally, since computers can be easily upgraded with new processors and graphics cards, they are able to remain contemporary for much longer than their gaming console counterparts.

    We've scoured the internet for the best deals on everything from mechanical keyboards to gaming chairs and everything in between to make your search easier than ever this year. Check out our full gift guide below that's sure to please any PC gamer.

    Top 3 Must-Have PC Gaming Gifts

    The very best gifts that are sure to please any PC gamer this holiday season.

    Best PC Storage Expansion Gifts

    For those with large digital libraries, you can never have enough storage.

    Best PC Gaming Monitor Gifts

    A great gaming rig isn't complete without a high-definition monitor to match.

    Best Educational and Coding Book Gifts

    These educational books are a great option for future game developers and those who are eager to learn.

    Best PC Gaming Accessories Gifts

    Mechanical keyboards, gaming mice, headsets, and more – these are great gifts that every PC gamer needs.

    Best PC Gaming Chair Gifts

    Give the gift of ultimate comfort and proper support with a gaming chair.

    Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.

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    Nintendo Hacker Gary Bowser Pleads Guilty On Piracy Charges

    Posted on November 2, 2021 by Joseph Knoop

    Gary Bowser, a 51-year-old Canadian hacker (and not to be confused with Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser, or… you know, Mario's nemesis), has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of hacking against Nintendo. He must now pay $4.5 million and faces up to 10 years in jail, Eurogamer reports.

    Bowser initially denied allegations that he worked with hacking group Team-Xecuter, which designed and sold console modchips that allowed users to play pirated games, otherwise known as "ROMs."

    The notoriously litigious Nintendo had chased after Team-Xecuter for several years. Last October, the United States government joined with Nintendo to launch a criminal prosecution of three members of the hacking group. Team-Xecuter maintained that their products were not specifically designed for piracy, and supported the "right to repair" and homebrew gaming communities.

    This wasn't enough to save Bowser, who was arrested in the Dominican Republic in 2020 and deported to the United States. Bowser also operated under the name "GaryOPA," operating and writing for a site called MaxConsole, which frequently covered Team-Xecuter software. The U.S. government indicated that his relationship with Team-Xecuter ran deeper than being a mere writer, alleging he advertised and trafficked illegal hacking software.

    Bowser originally denied the allegations of hacking, but changed his position last week to plead guilty. He admitted to working with Team-Xecuter since 2013, and signed a statement reading that he "knowingly and willfully participated in a cybercriminal enterprise that hacked leading gaming consoles and that developed, manufactured, marketed, and sold a variety of circumvention devices that allowed the enterprise’s customers to play pirated versions of copyrighted video games."

    Bowser's official indictments include "conspiracy to circumvent technological measures and trafficking in circumvention devices" plus "violating the DMCA’s anti-circumvention provision." Both counts carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

    Bowser also admitted to earning "at least tens of millions of dollars of proceeds" from their hacking devices, although Bowser only earned a fraction of that.

    In addition to his $4.5 million fine, Bowser has also agreed to help the U.S. government locate any additional Team-Xecuter assets. As part of the plea agreement, the government waived nine additional charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Bowser's final sentence will be issued in the future following final recommendations from the defense and prosecution.

    As if Bowser's future weren't dire enough, he was also directly sued by Nintendo last April. That case remains ongoing, and Bowser has yet to file any official response to it.

    Bowser's co-defendant Max Louarn, a 48-year-old French national, was arrested in Canada. The third co-defendant, 35-year-old Yuanning Chen of Shenzhen, China, remains at large.

    As previously mentioned, Nintendo has been particularly litigious against ROMs of its games and software. The company won a lawsuit against RomUniverse, a Rom-hosting website, which was ordered to pay $2 million in damages and to destroy all of its pirated games, and issuing an injunction that prohibited the site's operator to "copy, distribute, sell, or even play unauthorized copies of Nintendo games."

    Joseph Knoop is a writer/producer for IGN.

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    Apple’s New AirPods Pro with MagSafe Are on Sale

    Posted on November 2, 2021 by Chris Reed

    During Apple’s October 2021 event, the company debuted its new third-generation AirPods. These effectively replaced the mid-level “AirPods with wireless charging” model that was previously available. One detail that got less attention was that Apple also updated its premium wireless earbuds, the AirPods Pro. And that new model, despite that it just came out, can already be gotten on sale for $60 off. Not bad.

    AirPods Pro (2021 Model)

    Now, the reason the new AirPods Pro didn’t get a ton of press is because it’s a pretty minor upgrade, as these things go. The new AirPods Pro themselves remain unchanged. What got tweaked is the case they come in. The case now supports MagSafe charging.

    AirPods Pro have always supported wireless charging, but these incorporate Apple’s MagSafe technology. That means when you set them on a MagSafe charger, they stick to it and stay in place magnetically. This makes it easy to know when they’re in place to receive a wireless charge, and it makes them less likely to be bumped off the charger. You do need Apple’s MagSafe charger to take advantage of this new feature, however (see it at Amazon).

    Aside from that, these are the same as the model they’re replacing. They’re still excellent wireless earbuds, though. They still have active noise canceling with a pass-through mode. They come with replaceable rubber tips you can swap out to find the right size for your ears. They also have touch controls built into their stems, and they pair seamlessly with your Apple products like iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

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

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