The nation of New Zealand has been paying a state-appointed 'Wizard' to entertain its citizens across the streets of Christchurch for 23 years. That's now come to an end, as the city seeks a more modern approach to tourism, and after controversial comments from the unlikely public employee.

As reported by The Guardian, the official Wizard of New Zealand's 23-year spell promoting the South Island's city through “acts of wizardry and other wizard-like services” has officially come to an end as the local council has opted to remove him from its payroll.

The English-born Wizard, whose real name is Ian Brackenbury Channell, has been working in public spaces across Christchurch since arriving in the country in 1976. However, it wasn't until 1990, when he was contacted by New Zealand's then-Prime Minister Mike Moore, that his role became official.

“I am concerned that your wizardry is not at the disposal of the entire nation,” The Guardian reports that Moore said at the time. “I suggest therefore that you should urgently consider my suggestion that you become the Wizard of New Zealand, Antarctica and relevant offshore areas […] no doubt there will be implications in the area of spells, blessings, curses, and other supernatural matters that are beyond the competence of mere Prime Ministers.”

Since becoming the country's official Wizard over two decades ago, Channell has reportedly been paid $16,000 NZD a year – amassing to a total of around $368,000. The council has said that its decision to end Channell's contract comes as the city is looking to take a more modern approach to tourism and promotional campaigning. Council spokesperson Lynn McClelland told The Guardian that it is hoping to “showcase a vibrant, diverse, modern city that is attractive to residents, domestic and international visitors, new businesses, and skilled migrant workers”.

Although Channell's wizarding antics have become widely-recognized around Christchurch's city streets, he has also seen criticism over various comments that he has made about women. Amid other remarks, The Guardian reports that in April, Channell told the current affairs show New Zealand Today that women, "Use cunning to get men who are thick," and that you should, "Never strike a woman as they bruise easily".

Channell told The Guardian that the council had ended his contract because he did not fit "the vibes" of the city. Further, he confirmed that his time as a wizard is not yet over – stating that he would continue to appear around the city to talk to locals as he has done for many years.

In other New Zealand-related news, Valve co-founder Gabe Newell found himself stuck in the country during a ten-day vacation last year that unexpectedly extended as the nation went into lockdown. Fortunately though, he didn't seem to mind too much and even went as far as to put on a free concert in Aukland to thank the country. Newell eventually managed to return from New Zealand a number of months after arriving – and in doing so made it back to speak to us about Valve's upcoming launch of the Steam Deck.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Day of the Dead premieres on Syfy on Friday, Oct. 15. Below is a spoiler-free review.

Syfy’s Day of the Dead series is ostensibly based on George A. Romero’s 1985 film of the same name, but all that the two works seem to have in common is the zombie tropes that Romero pioneered: the dead are walking and the humans they’re trying to eat are just as monstrous. It’s a shallow attempt to bring in audiences with name recognition, and the premiere leaves little reason to keep watching.

The series starts with a cold open so abrupt it feels like it was cut from a later episode and slapped in front at the urging of a network executive terrified viewers would stop watching if they didn’t see blood and guts within the first seconds of turning on a zombie show. It’s packed with shots of the shambling zombies chowing on the residents of the fictional town of Mawinhaken, Pennsylvania and shallow attempts at humor and shock value like mayor Paula Bowman (Miranda Frigon) snarling “How’s the Second Amendment taste, motherf**kers?” as she fires a pair of revolvers and her son Luke (Daniel Doheny) quipping “Did you know we had this many dead people in town?” Some of the names are tributes to those in Romero’s film, but that’s as far as the character similarities go.

The cold open also makes multiple attempts at emotional beats that lack any punch without the context to come once the opening credits roll and the show makes the inevitable transition to “earlier” and actually introduces the cast. Day of the Dead does seem to hew to Romero’s supernatural version of undeath rather than more modern, virus-based versions. The troubles start in Mawinhaken after Sarah Blackwood (Morgan Holmstrom) finds a masked corpse while working on a fracking crew and her ruthless boss tries to cover it up to avoid any work stoppage or controversy.

While Romero gave Day of the Dead a distinctive visual style by shooting in Florida wetlands and claustrophobic underground facilities, the Syfy show is filmed in Vancouver like so many other low-budget genre productions. The dull color palette makes it feel especially bland, and the characters feel just as flat.

“The Thing in the Hole” provides a sort of slice of life of Mawinhaken and its residents, who mostly seem to deserve what’s coming to them. Paula is obsessed with winning her bid for reelection, nagging her spoiled bully of a son and sleazy husband Trey (Christopher Russell) not to do anything to tarnish her image. McDermott (Mike Dopud) is a good cop but a bad father to Cam (Keenan Tracey), who just wants to earn enough money to get out of a dead-end town where the quest for more jobs brought in a fracking operation causing earthquakes and perhaps the zombie apocalypse. But Cam still finds time to flirt with sassy parolee Lauren Howell (Natalie Malaika), who loves her work as an assistant mortician despite her abusive creep of a boss — at least until the job gets a little too lively.

Day of the Dead’s premiere tries to find the right mix of melodrama, humor, sex and gore that makes for good horror, but it fails on almost all counts. The jump scares are predictable and the serious lines and jokes fall flat thanks to almost universally wooden delivery by the unimpressive cast. The zombie makeup does look great and there is a sort of schlocky joy to some of the scenes, like a lawnmower chase through the town’s cemetery that results in gouts of blood splattering across the tombstones and a funeral that goes very wrong. Unfortunately, those sequences aren’t enough to breathe life into the otherwise plodding and predictable narrative.

New iPhones generally come with a tinge of excitement, but the iPhone 13 didn’t come with all that much to get excited about. While it may be an upgrade over the iPhone 12, it’s certainly appearing to be more of a minor update than anything substantial. Short of a chipset update, a couple camera tweaks, and a marginally reduced Face ID notch, we’re looking at a largely unchanged device. One thing effectively driving up the value most is that Apple has upgraded base storage to 128GB – no more dealing with a new iPhone that only has 64GB of storage in 2021. So, let’s see what the phone has in store.

iPhone 13 – Design and Features

The iPhone 13 doesn’t get a radical redesign from the iPhone 12. Its size and shape are almost unchanged, though the iPhone 13 has gotten just a tad thicker and 10 grams heavier. It’s still easy to hold, but continues to be just wide enough that it can be hard to reach over to the opposite side for one-handed swipe navigation.

Though the design changes aren’t considerable, there’s enough difference that you won’t be able to use your older cases with the iPhone 13. Apple has shifted around the cameras, arranging them diagonally. Interestingly, while I expected the new camera bump to be the reason old cases might not fit, it’s actually that Apple has repositioned the power and volume buttons – so much for the waste reduction from leaving a charging brick out of the package.

There are a few new colors for the iPhone 13, with a Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, and Product(RED) option. Practically, the Pink color just replaced the Purple option from the iPhone 12. Apple has tweaked the colors somewhat as well, so the Blue of the iPhone 13 isn’t the same as the Blue of the iPhone 12, nor is the Product(RED) the same between phones – curious for a signature color.

Apple continues to offer robust design with its tough Ceramic Shield on the front, aluminum frame, and considerable water resistance. While many phones are touting IP68 ratings, few are claiming resistance at a six-meter depth.

The iPhone 13 doesn’t revamp Apple’s MagSafe. It’s still on board and providing wireless charging. Apple happened to send the MagSafe Wallet accessory, but I found the magnetic attachment was weak enough that sliding the wallet off was simply too easy to depend on.

Apple made a couple minor changes to the display. There’s now just a little bit more viewable display as Apple has condensed the FaceID hardware and shrunk the notch at the top of the screen by 20%. It’s not the most noticeable difference though, and the extra screen real estate isn’t really put to much use, still just showing the time in the top left corner and three status icons in the top right. It’s also still a far greater interruption of the display than the small punchhole cameras Android phones have had for years. That said, Apple’s Face ID remains far more consistent and capable than facial recognition technologies I’ve used on Android phones.

Perhaps the bigger update to the display is that it can now reach a peak brightness of 800 nits in everyday use, whereas the iPhone 12 topped out at 625 nits. I’d already found the iPhone 12’s display more than bright enough for sunny days, so the extra boost for the iPhone 13 isn’t exactly a game-changer, especially since the phones share the same 1,200-nit peak brightness when viewing HDR content. The base iPhone 13 is all the more disappointing when considered next to the iPhone 13 Pro models, which got the long-awaited 120Hz ProMotion upgrade.

iPhone 13 – Software

The iPhone 13 comes running iOS 15, though it’s worth noting that won’t be a major point of differentiation from the iPhone 12 or even iPhone 11, since both of those phones can also update to the new OS.

The new operating system comes with a few quality-of-life and small feature updates for default apps from iMessage to Apple Maps. It’s no dramatic overhaul, and in use feels largely consistent with my experience on the iPhone 12. That means it’s been reliable and smooth, but it also comes with some of the same nag points, such as the rather basic keyboard and an inability to structure the home screen however one might want. The App Library also remains a bit clunky, sorting apps that don’t always make sense: Google Voice and Gmail in the Productivity & Finance folder, for instance.

iOS’s swipe navigation continues to be finicky, with apps like the Photo Gallery ignoring a side swipe to go backwards and overriding it by scrolling through photos instead. It’s an inconsistency that wouldn’t be surprising to see in third-party apps, but that Apple would continue to require two different methods to perform the same navigation continues to puzzle me.

iPhone 13 – Gaming and Performance

If you’ve kept up with the iPhone, you won’t be too surprised to hear that it continues to be an excellent all-around performer. From day-to-day use to gaming, it almost never shows a struggle. Just getting the phone going from a standstill is also conveniently quick. The phone is quick to turn its screen on and activate Face ID – sometimes so quick I accidentally hit the power button to wake it up just moments after it’s already woken. From the lock screen, the camera also launches in a snap, working a lot more quickly than I’ve experienced on any Android phone I can think of.

The iPhone 13 appears to handle some things a bit better than the iPhone 12. Last year, I ran Thatgamecompany’s Sky and then switched apps, and when I came back to Sky it had to be reloaded – a fairly slow process. On the iPhone 13, I was able to switch away from Sky, launch another app or two, and then switch back and resume from exactly where I was without needing to reload. The initial loading of the app also wasn’t very slow.

Unsurprisingly, the iPhone 13 continues to run that game incredibly well. The phone doesn’t struggle with the Quality or Performance settings of the game, offering smooth and beautiful visuals. Of course, the iPhone 12 performed similarly, so it’s not as though there’s a huge upgrade to be found here.

Aside from the cameras, the battery in the iPhone 13 may be the biggest upgrade on last year’s model. Apple suggests the iPhone 13 is capable of getting an additional 2.5 hours of battery life in general use compared to the iPhone 12. We don’t have such a specific test to compare in this way, but the iPhone 13 hasn’t shown any signs of being weak-willed in the battery department. Whether I’m messing around with the cameras, poking around in a game, or streaming a show, the battery doesn’t drain in a hurry, and I can reliably anticipate a whole day of life.

iPhone 13 – Camera

The cameras are generally the most exciting parts of a new iPhone, but the iPhone 13 hasn't earned much hype as it only slightly improves on what was already a solid camera system in the iPhone 12. Perhaps the biggest benefit for buyers will be the hand-me-down main sensor borrowed from last year’s iPhone 12 Pro. The sensor-shift stabilization technology makes for a steady shot on the main camera and helps in low-light.

The iPhone 13 continues to perform well in darker scenarios. The most noticeable benefit is in how it manages to negate hand movements that would have otherwise ruined an image. I’ve shifted my hands around on many an Android phone while taking a photo in night mode with a long exposure, causing it to come out a blurry mess. The iPhone 13 continues to avoid that, apparently with solid stabilization and an awareness of when I’ve moved the phone enough that the rest of what is getting captured can’t be used to finalize the image.

Of course, the reality is that the iPhone 13’s cameras shoot well across the board. The color is almost always on point, presenting a realistic image that matches what my eyes see – the only exception being when I pointed the camera at my computer screen outdoors and the cameras seemed to lock into a white balance that was inappropriate for everything else I pointed it at. The two rear cameras also match up quite well, making for a more consistent appearance when shooting with each. The front-facing camera is a bit of an exception, as it performs just great in daylight, but struggles more in darker settings and can get particularly soft.

For those that want a bit more control over the appearance of their photos while keeping them slightly within realistic bounds, Apple’s new Photographic Styles let you make a custom filter that dials in the tone and warmth and keeps them locked there. I personally find the natural color of the camera compelling without applying these, but they can add a bit of style or mood that some users might prefer.

Apple’s Cinematic Mode was the big hype centerpiece for the iPhone 13 series, providing an intelligent focusing system for video that can lock on and switch back and forth between subjects automatically. The feature also creates footage that can have its focal point adjusted after the fact. In other words, it’s creating an artificial depth of field, and that comes with some predictable drawbacks. Just as my colleague Kevin Lee noticed with the iPhone 13 Pro running Cinematic Mode, I caught it providing a rather poor blur effect around the subjects in my video.

The AI is fairly impressive at knowing when to switch subjects, but the edge detection can struggle with figuring out which parts to apply blur too. It may be a fun feature for home videos, but it doesn’t feel like the professional feature Apple makes it out to be, especially as it can’t record at 4K in this mode. As far as professional focus racking goes, I found the ability on Sony’s Xperia line to mark individual focal distances and switch between them more reliable, albeit a bit rigid and useless for on-the-fly shooting.

Update (10/25/21) – The Nintendo Switch System Update 13.1.0 is now live and brings with it the ability to purchase the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which includes all the benefits of the standard membership, access to Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis games, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Happy Home Paradise DLC when it is released on November 5, 2021.

As a reminder, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack costs $49.99/year – a $30 increase from the standard membership. Another option is to purchase a Family Membership for $79.99/year, as that will allow up to eight Nintendo Account holders to access the benefits of this service.

Update (10/15/21) – Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack will officially launch on October 25, 2021.

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack launches 10/25!

Gain access to:
– Library of #Nintendo64 & SEGA Genesis games
– #AnimalCrossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise at no additional cost
– All other benefits of a #NintendoSwitchOnline membershiphttps://t.co/LUjTCpLg3v pic.twitter.com/P3YEdVtp2Z

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 15, 2021

Additionally, the new Switch versions of the Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis controllers are now available for pre-order for those who have a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

The original story follows.

Nintendo has announced that the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, which will give Switch owners access to N64 and SEGA games alongside Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Happy Home Paradise DLC, will cost $49.99/year – a $30 increase from the standard membership.

If you have other Switch owners in your family, a family membership, which can support up to eight Nintendo Account holders, will cost $79.99 for 12 months. No release date has been given besides late October.

For comparison, the current Nintendo Switch Online membership costs $3.99 for one month, $7.99 for three months, and $19.99 for 12 months. A family membership costs $34.99 for 12 months.

As previously mentioned, the Expansion Pack unlocks access to such N64 games as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, and Mario Kart 64; SEGA games like Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Ecco the Dolphin, and Streets of Rage 2; and Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Happy Home Paradise DLC which costs $24.99 on its own.

Nintendo Switch Online members will also be able to purchase full-size wireless Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis controllers to play these classic titles as you remember playing them.

This news was announced on the same day as the latest Animal Crossing Direct that revealed Animal Crossing: New Horizons' Version 2.0 update that brings with it Brewster and his coffee shop The Roost, other fan-favorite villagers, Gyroids, Island Ordinances, and more alongside the Happy Home Paradise DLC that lets you design villager's dream homes on a new archipelago.

Nintendo also shared that these updates would be the last major updates to the game that has sold over 33 million copies since its launch in March 2020.

While you wait for the launch of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, be sure to check out our list of the top 25 N64 games of all time and our picks for the best Switch games you can play right now.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

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

Nintendo has confirmed to IGN that Animal Crossing: New Horizons' version 2.0 update and its Happy Home Paradise paid DLC will be the final major updates to the game that has sold over 33 million copies since its launch in March 2020.

Nintendo shared the news with IGN in a presentation for today's Animal Crossing Direct, where it revealed that the version 2.0 update and Happy Home Paradise DLC will both be available on November 5, 2021. Following that date, Nintendo says it will only be supporting the game with small changes.

Considering the free Version 2.0 update brings with it Brewster and his coffee shop The Roost, other fan-favorite villagers, Gyroids, cooking, Island Ordinances, and more alongside Happy Home Paradise's promise of letting you design villager's dream homes on a new archipelago, it is leaving players a ton of new ways to play Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

That being said, Happy Home Paradise is the first and only major paid DLC expansion for the second-best-selling Nintendo Switch game behind Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's 37.08 million. Speaking of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, that game is one that Nintendo released no paid DLC for, despite the original Mario Kart 8 getting some during its Wii U days.

While Animal Crossing: New Horizons may not be getting any more big updates, that doesn't mean the game is anywhere near going away. The game will undoubtedly be played and loved for many years to come, and these new additions will be another big reason why.

The Happy Home Paradise DLC takes place in an archipelago where the company Paradise Planning calls home. Villagers will visit and ask players to help them build their dream home. They also usually have a certain theme, with some loving mushrooms, arcades, or Teddy Bears.

It's then up to you to choose the proper island, place the required furniture and items from the clients, and then continue to design and build out the interior and exterior of the home to make it something special.

New Horizons' Version 2.0 update will be free to all players and the Happy Home Paradise DLC will cost $24.99. However, it is also available as part of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to [email protected].

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