The popular competitive esport Rocket League has become the latest victim of review bombing, following news that developer Psyonix is being acquired by Epic Games. Concerns that the acquisition would mean the game will be pulled from Steam led to a flurry of negative reviews on the platform, before Steam's new anti-bombing tool was deployed to stop it.Steam reviews recently dipped from "Very Positive" down to "Mixed." That prompted Steam to implement its tool that excludes periods of "off-topic review activity" from the aggregate score. The negative reviews are still visible, and they almost universally reference the Epic acquisition, but they're no longer counted in the average.Concerns about the game's exclusivity stemmed from a statement (via The Verge) that mentioned the game will be coming to the Epic Games Store later this year. It said "in the meantime" it will still be available for purchase on Steam, and that "thereafter" it will continue to be supported--reportedly through the release of patches and DLC.That gave the impression that once it appears on the Epic Store it will be pulled from the Steam storefront, though no formal announcement has been made. The official Rocket League Twitter account issued a vague statement that stresses the game "remains available on Steam" and that current players can "look forward to continued support," but didn't necessarily rule out pulling it off the store at some future date.Epic Games has made a habit of securing exclusives on its emerging Steam competitor, even recently issuing an ultimatum to Steam aimed at improving developer revenue splits. This has led to similar controversies over games like Metro Exodus and The Division 2--but in both of those cases, the switch was formally announced, rather than inferred by fans.Though Valve has expressed its dissatisfaction with Epic's aggressive moves against its store, it has been stopping users from review-bombing over the rivalry. This is the second high-profile case of the tool being implemented in the last month, the first being when Valve stopped the review-bombing against several past Borderlands games upon news that Borderlands 3 will be a timed exclusive on the Epic Games Store.Info from Gamespot.com

Detective Pikachu features Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds lending his voice talents to the title character, but he had a very different direction in mind for his vocal style. His idea was to style it after film noir, a genre known for its gritty monologues and fatalism.Reynolds described his take on The Tonight Show (via THR) as "Who Framed Roger Rabbit had a baby with Blade Runner." But that concept quickly got push-back. He characterized the studio's reaction as, "Or maybe just do Ryan Reynolds ... Maybe shut up and do the other thing."It seems the actor is happy that his voice made the movie so cheerful and bright, though. He said he's glad that a movie that's "just a nice adventure" is being released right now because "the news these days is just like pouring hot lemon juice into your eyeballs." Evocative!Detective Pikachu tells the story of a teenage boy (Justice Smith) in the Pokemon world who visits Ryme City to put his deceased father's affairs in order. He meets up with his dad's former detective partner, a talking Pikachu (Reynolds) that only he can understand, and they set off on an adventure to solve the mystery of his father's death.Reviews are relatively positive, though critics appear to agree that fans of the venerable franchise will get more out of it. GameSpot's review concluded that against all odds, live-action Pokemon works."Detective Pikachu should prove enjoyable for any and all Pokémon fans, young or old," Michael Rougeau wrote. "It presents fun answers to the fantasy of what life would be like if Pokémon were real. It introduces new wrinkles to the world of Pokémon, although not all of them completely work. Still, as the first official live-action trip to the world of Pokémon, Detective Pikachu presents characters I want to see again and a setting I'd like to return to."Info from Gamespot.com

As is custom when a season of Fortnite approaches its conclusion, Epic Games held a one-time world event that gave people in the right place at the right time the opportunity to see something cool happen on the island. Except, this time it didn't go off without a hitch, and in response Epic has offered those who encountered a problem a make-good gift.On May 4, players gathered around Loot Lake for an event called the "Unvaulting." As the name implies, the mysterious vault at the center of the location opened up and Fortnite players jumped in. Inside they were faced with a number of pillars that represented different weapons and items. Players effectively chose which of these to free from the vault by collectively striking down a pillar using their pickaxes. The liberated item was the Tommy Gun, and once freed everyone was launched back onto the island.After being returned from the vault, players got to witness the volcano that appeared for Season 8 erupt and destroy Tilted Towers, effectively reshaping the island and laying the groundwork for Season 9.That's how it should have gone, and for many that's what they saw. However, a large contingent of players that gathered for the event encountered issues and were not able to see the event unfold as intended. Epic Games has acknowledged the issue and said, "We apologize to those who were unable to witness the event and place their vote."To make up for the snag, those that were in the Unvaulting playlist at the right time will be given the Arcana Glider free of charge. If you already purchased the Arcana Glider using V-Bucks, you will be refunded the 1200 V-Bucks.We apologize that some players were unable to view the Unvaulting event. Anyone who jumped into the Unvaulting playlist will be granted the Arcana Glider in the coming days. Players who purchased the Arcana Glider previously will be refunded their V-Bucks. — Fortnite (@FortniteGame) May 5, 2019Fortnite Season 8 is now its 10th week and the season is coming to a close very soon. But before you start thinking about what's next, we recommend wrapping up the season's challenges as quickly as possible. Once the transition to Season 9 happens, older challenges will no longer be available and rewards attached to Season 8's Battle Pass will also expire. If you want any of those, act fast.We've got a breakdown of and guides for Season 8, Week 10's challenges, and if you're playing catch-up on challenges from earlier than that, head over to our full Fortnite Season 8 challenge guide, which will get you through all the trickiest challenges for the season in no time.Info from Gamespot.com

Avengers: Endgame continues to soar at the box office. After a second weekend at No. 1, the superhero movie has now made $2.188 billion worldwide after just 12 days.Endgame passes James Cameron's Titanic ($2.187 billion) to become the No. 2 highest-grossing movie in history worldwide. It only trails another Cameron movie, Avatar, which has made $2.78 billion globally.Time it took to reach $2 billion at the box office:Titanic: 5,233 daysForce Awakens: 54 daysInfinity War: 48 daysAvatar: 47 daysEndgame: 11 days — Jon Erlichman (@JonErlichman) May 5, 2019Endgame made a further $145.8 million in the United States and Canada this weekend and $282.2 million from international markets to reach the new heights, according to EW.The continued success of Endgame is no surprise. It opened last weekend to a record $1.2 billion worldwide. It's made $2.187 billion now worldwide after just 11 days, a new record.Endgame is now just the fifth movie to ever pass $2 billion worldwide. It joins Avengers: Infinity War ($2.048 billion), Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($2.068 billion), Titanic ($2.187 billion), and Avatar ($2.788 billion).The movie needs to make around $580 million more to catch Avatar. Keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest on Endgame's box office performance.For lots more on Endgame, check out GameSpot's Avenger: Endgame hub here.Read next: 9 Avengers Endgame Cameos You Might Have MissedInfo from Gamespot.com

Bayonetta developer PlatinumGames has teased that one of its next projects may be unlike anything it has made before. Studio head Atsushi Inaba told Video Game Chronicle that he's aware that's a claim that is often said, but he really means it."Right now we're in the middle of designing something that has never been done before," he said. "I know a lot of people say that, but the game we're working on truly is unlike anything else. Even for our varied history of veteran game developers, this is something that has never been designed before. So from a game design perspective, we're very excited right now."That's all Inaba had to say on the subject; it's unclear when the studio may formally announce the title. Whatever the case, Inaba said 2019 is an "incredibly important year" for PlatinumGames. "Without speaking directly to the number of titles we may or may not announce, I can say it's going to be a year of some major new approaches, new challenges, and new methods for us."He said PlatinumGames is building a "new foundation" in 2019 that he expects will pay dividends down the road.The secret new game is believed to be a new IP. PlatinumGames is moving toward the self-publishing route, Inaba said, and this is noteworthy for a number of reasons. The Bayonetta IP is owned by Sega, not PlatinumGames, and this has led to some issues, Inaba said."In the case of Bayonetta it took a lot of time and energy to get it to the point where sequels could be made," he said. "It wasn't as simple as picking up the phone and asking, 'Hey, can we do this?' There were a lot of pieces that needed to fall into place and a lot of negotiating that had to occur. For us as creators, we want to get to the point where self-publishing allows us to own our IP and do what we want with it, including making sequels. So the faster we can have that freedom, the better if will be for all the creators here."You can read the full interview here at Video Game Chronicles.Platinum's Bayonetta 3 is currently in development as a Nintendo Switch exclusive. The company also developed Nier: Automata, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan, Transformers: Devastation, Star Fox Guard, The Legend of Korra, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Vanquish, and MadWorld, among others. Platinum's Xbox One game, Scalebound, was canceled. Info from Gamespot.com

The 2018 lawsuit that alleged that Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer stole the idea from someone they worked with in the past has been dropped. Director Charlie Kessler, who alleged that the brothers stole his idea for what they later made into Stranger Things, dropped the lawsuit just 48 hours before the trial was scheduled to start on Tuesday.His lawyer confirmed this to The Hollywood Reporter. Kessler said in a statement that the Duffer brothers "independently created the show." As THR mentions, it's unclear if Kessler was paid for dropping the lawsuit and releasing the statement, but Kessler said the decision to drop the lawsuit was not a settlement. Still, both sides declined to say if any money changed hands.Kessler initially sued the Duffer brothers on a claim that he pitched them on an idea for a project that takes place on Long Island, New York near an abandoned military base and has sci-fi elements including government experiments. The Duffer brothers always maintained that they created Stranger Things independently. Intriguingly, it was believed that secrets about Stranger Things and Netflix's own business models and other financial details might have emerged if the case went to court. "After hearing the deposition testimony this week of the legal expert I hired, it is now apparent to me that, whatever I may have believed in the past, my work had nothing to do with the creation of Stranger Things. Documents from 2010 and 2013 prove that the Duffers independently created their show," Kessler said. "As a result, I have withdrawn my claim and I will be making no further comment on this matter."For its part, a representative for Netflix said the company is happy to "put this baseless lawsuit behind us." Stranger Things Season 3 premieres on July 4. Info from Gamespot.com

At the heart of any European town founded before the 19th century lies a church. It's the same with Anno 1800. At the center of your city sits a magnificent cathedral, its spectacular steeple reaching for the heavens and illuminating the lives of everyone who passes by. It’s a very beautiful church, but it’s hiding something.At the heart of Anno 1800 lies an intimidating and complex financial simulation. It may seem like you're overseeing the rise and occasional fall of a European-style city as it comes of industrial age. But really, you're juggling numbers, thumb wedged in the accounts ledger, finessing production efficiencies and stabilizing trade fluctuations. Anno 1800 is perhaps the prettiest spreadsheet I've ever seen.Each randomly generated map in the core sandbox mode unfurls as a mostly blank canvas, a glistening sea dotted with fertile islands waiting to be claimed by you and your (AI or human) opponents. As you grow and expand your reach across multiple islands and into the New World--and your empire undergoes its Industrial Revolution--you'll employ more advanced technologies, extracting coal and oil to fuel great belching factories and formidable steam engines. But the basic principle remains constant: Satisfy your population by employing them to manufacture natural resources into commodities that encourage more people to move to your cities.Everything becomes a production chain for you to configure, massage and optimize. Early on the choices you're making here are relatively simple; the virgin terrain of your first settlement makes it easy to place the knitter near the farm so the wool is delivered swiftly and the warehouse within range so the finished goods can be collected for immediate sale. But soon the need for a navy means you've had to build a sailmaker's yard which is now diverting wool previously used by the knitter. Building another sheep farm means finding the physical space for an additional farm as well as for all the extra housing for the new farmers. Extend this scenario a few hours into a game and it will encompass dozens of productions chains of increasing complexity and inter-connectivity.Managing these productions chains--whether it's work clothes and sails or beer and pocket watches--is an enjoyable exercise in a kind of "balancing the books" sense. You know you have to spend resources to grow, but your success depends on finding that ever-moving sweet spot between overreaching and not pushing far enough. It's necessary to keep the requisite resources flowing and meet the housing and job demands of your population, but it's not sufficient. To maintain a firm hand on your economy you have to appreciate the various financial levers available to you, allowing fine adjustments to tax rates and production ratios that can genuinely mean the difference between keeping it in the black and going bankrupt.Of course, it's also just as enjoyable to play the more visual puzzle game of city planning, slotting in that new building not only where its specific dimensions fit, but where it also retains proximity to its related structures in the chain. Nobly assisting matters here is the "move" tool that lets you--for no resource cost at all--pick up and move any building to another location. Need to pop a police station downtown but there's no room? Just move the nearby houses further down the street to open up the space. It really does look utterly beautiful when it all comes together, too, like an exquisitely detailed diorama that you can poke, prod and tweak to your heart’s content. There’s even a first-person mode that lets you walk the streets and observe all your townsfolk going about their day to day business. I especially welcomed the moments I was able to spend admiring the view before some new urgent matter warranted investigation and I had to return to crunching those numbers.Spinning all the plates becomes even trickier as you advance into the Industrial Age. Production chains that were once straightforward, one-to-one input/output ratios turn into logistical nightmares as multiple buildings start feeding into multiple other buildings. The demands of the job are only exacerbated by a lack of clarity in the feedback you're given when things aren't operating at full capacity. Simple things like knowing how many flour mills and grain farms support a bakery just aren't communicated clearly enough in-game or in the non-existent manual. I spent hours engaged in trial and error in such situations before finding a comprehensive external wiki that I found myself alt-tabbing to constantly while I played.There is a campaign mode that functions as a tutorial before it segues into the main sandbox. And there is an additional setting that enables a more guided experience, providing you with specific goals at the appropriate moments. I found both very welcome, even as someone who had played some of the previous Anno games. But at the same time, I felt that other important aspects weren't explained thoroughly enough, if at all, and it was frustrating to guess at solutions to problems I wasn't confident I'd even diagnosed correctly.Much of Anno 1800 is spent watching numbers go up and down. Total gold is going down. Now it's going back up again. There aren't enough workers for the number of available jobs. Okay, now there are too many workers and not enough engineers. Sometimes it's clear why these things are happening and sometimes it's obvious what you can do to rectify the situation. However, other times it isn't and it's really quite panic-inducing. My stomach tightened whenever the numbers plummeted into the red, but as soon as they shot back into the black I would feel a surge of relief. Even so, outside of these sharp swings, when the numbers remained relatively stable and my economy seemed to be ticking over steadily, I couldn't shake this nagging sense that everything was always on the verge of complete collapse.I spent all of my time playing Anno 1800 in a mild yet pervasive state of anxiety. As a city-building sim that emphasizes economic management, it is as robust and powerful as the steel factories it allows you to pollute the skies with. But for all the natural beauty of its island paradise and the architectural splendor of its churches, theatres, and piers, it's just a little too cold in its reliance on numbers and a little too impenetrable in its reluctance to show you its workings. I'm glad I visited, but I don't think I'd want to live there. Info from Gamespot.com

In the age of social media, there are a lot of unofficial, hashtag-driven "holidays" that exist these days, but few are as long-standing or beloved as May 4, the day Star Wars fans have an excuse to tell each other "May the Fourth be with you" and chuckle at the pun. Fun fact: The phrase is believed to date back to 1979, the two-year anniversary of the original Star Wars hitting theaters, and incidentally the same day Margaret Thatcher officially took office as Prime Minister of the UK. To celebrate the dual occasion, the British Conservative Party published an ad in the paper that day declaring, "May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations."Ever since, May 4 has become known as Star Wars Day, an annual celebration of Star Wars for fans all over the world. And as with other pop culture holidays (remember Mario Day?), online retailers are taking the opportunity to sell their best Star Wars merch at a discount. To make it easier for you, we've rounded up some of the best Star Wars Day sales happening this weekend and highlighted some specific products that caught our eye. Whether you're shopping for yourself or have someone in mind who'd enjoy a Star Wars gift, there are so many discounts floating around, you're sure to find what you need.MoviesSave $5 to $8 on Star Wars movies at Best Buy »Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital) -- $20Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital) -- $20Star Wars: The Last Jedi (4K Ultra HD + Blu-Ray + Digital) -- $25Save 30% on digital Star Wars movies at Microsoft (bonus content included) »Solo: A Star Wars Story -- $11Star Wars: The Last Jedi -- $11Rogue One: A Star Wars Story -- $10Star Wars: The Force Awakens -- $10Star Wars: The Digital Six-Film Collection -- $74Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith -- $14Star Wars: Attack of the Clones -- $14Star Wars: The Phantom Menace -- $14Star Wars: Return of the Jedi -- $14Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back -- $14Star Wars: A New Hope -- $14GamesSave $10 when pre-ordering Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (releases 11/12/19) »PS4:Pre-order standard edition at Amazon -- $49.94Pre-order standard edition at Walmart -- $49.94Pre-order Deluxe edition at Amazon -- $59.88Pre-order Deluxe edition at Walmart -- $59.88Xbox One:Pre-order standard edition at Amazon -- $49.94Pre-order standard edition at Walmart -- $49.94Pre-order Deluxe edition at Amazon -- $59.88Pre-order Deluxe edition at Walmart -- $59.88PC:Pre-order standard edition at Walmart -- $49.94Save up to 75% on Star Wars Xbox One games at Microsoft »Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens -- $10Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Deluxe Edition -- $15Star Wars Battlefront II -- $7.50Star Wars Battlefront: Hoth Bundle -- $9.90Star Wars Battlefront - Ultimate Edition -- $5Save on Star Wars PS4, PS3, Vita, and PSP games in PlayStation's Villains Takeover sale »Star Wars Battlefront: Hoth Bundle -- $12 (PS Plus: $9.89)Star Wars Battlefront - Ultimate Edition -- $7 (PS Plus: $5)Star Wars Battlefront II (2017) -- $10 (PS Plus: $7.49)Star Wars Battlefront II (2005) -- $3.49Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens -- $8 (PS Plus: $6)Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Deluxe Edition -- $12 (PS Plus: $9)Star Wars The Force Unleashed -- $3.49Star Wars The Force Unleashed II -- $8Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (PS2 Classic) -- $3.49Star Wars Bounty Hunter (PS2 Classic) -- $3.49Star Wars Racer Revenge (PS2 Classic) -- $3.49Star Wars Mega Bundle -- $14Super Star Wars -- $3.49Star Wars Starfighter (PS2 Classic) -- $5Save up to 65% on classic Star Wars PC games at Steam »Star Wars Rogue Squadron 3D -- $3.49Star Wars Jedi Knight - Jedi Outcast -- $3.49Star Wars Battlefront II (2005) -- $3.49Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic -- $3.49Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II -- $3.49Star Wars Republic Commando -- $3.49*Humble Bundle and GOG are also offering many of the same PC game deals.Save up to 74% on Star Wars PC bundles at Steam »Star Wars: Complete Collection -- $84.56Star Wars: X-Wing Series -- $10.48Star Wars: Jedi Knight Collection -- $9.16Star Wars: Classic Collection -- $18.86Save on Star Wars mobile games at Google Play »Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic -- $5Star Wars Pinball 7 -- FREEIn-app purchases -- $0.99Save $14 on Trivial Pursuit: Star Wars - The Black Series Edition (now $26) at Walmart »Toys, Collectibles, & MoreSave on Star Wars collectibles at Best Buy »Funko Pop Deluxe: Chewbacca in AT-ST -- $15Funko Pop: Last Jedi Luke Skywalker -- $4.49Funko Pop: Kylo Ren with Tie Fighter -- $8.49Funko Pop: Rey -- $4.49Funko Pop: Porg -- $5.49Darth Vader 28" Spinner Hardside Suitcase -- $150Lego Star Wars First Order AT-ST Walker -- $28Save 25% on Star Wars Nerf Gun - Stormtrooper Blaster (now $75) at Best Buy »Save $10 on Star Wars Force FX Lightsabers at ThinkGeek with code SABERSALE (one day only, 12 AM ET through 11:59 PM ET on May 4) »Save $50 on select Lego Star Wars sets at Walmart »Lego Star Wars Kessel Run Millennium Falcon -- $120Lego Star Wars First Order Heavy Assault Walker -- $110Lego Star Wars AT-AP Walker -- $48Lego Star Wars Yoda's Hut -- $24Lego Star Wars Imperial Landing Craft -- $72Lego Darth Vader figure -- $22Save on toys and collectibles at Walmart »BB-8 2-in-1 Mega Playset including Force Link -- $77.75Star Wars: The Black Series Rey Force FX Lightsaber -- $200Kylo Ren Deluxe Electronic Lightsaber -- $35Bladebuilders Path of the Force Lightsaber -- $27.88First Order Stormtrooper Playset -- $4.79Funko Pop: Star Wars Ewok 3-Pack -- $40The Force Awakens Special Forces TIE Fighter -- $20Save on select Star Wars products at Amazon »Star Wars 2-Quart Slow-Cooker -- $11.42Star Wars Insulated Cooler Backpack (Black) -- $46.84Death Star Popcorn Maker - Hot Air Style -- $49.96Star Wars Classic Vehicles Removable Wall Mural -- $113.44Save up to 50% on Star Wars items at Build-A-Bear »Save $90 on Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back Han Solo Jacket (now $100) at Film Jackets »Save 20% on select Star Wars' kids clothes at Rags.com with promo code STARWARSDAY »Save 66% on Star Wars Propel Drone: Collector's Edition (now $50) at StackSocial »Save 33% on Millennium Falcon Ice Molds (now $10) at StackSocial »Save 46% on Samsung PowerBot Star Wars Robot Vacuum (now $372) at StackSocial » Info from Gamespot.com

Happy Star Wars Day! It's the one day a year where everyone around the world talks about their love of one of the biggest franchises in the history of entertainment. Actually, most of us talk about Star Wars every single day, so nothing has changed. However, an announcement from Lego has revealed some very cool new buildable and programmable droids, which launch globally on September 1.Lego Star Wars Boost Droid Commanders allow users to build a droid and program code in order for the toy to complete tasks, like plotting a course, decoding messages, fighting, and more. Based on the characters from the Star Wars Universe, there will be three different droids to build in this set: R2-D2, Gonk Droid, and Mouse Droid, which you can see below.The set may be pricey, coming in at $200, but all the droids are included. It contains 1,177 pieces, which is enough to build all three. R2-D2 and Gonk both measure at 7" tall, while Mouse comes in at 5".The droids connect via Bluetooth to the free Lego Boost Star Wars app, which will be available on iOS, Android, and Fire Smart devices. Within the app, you can solve the 40+ missions and learn to code in a drag-and-drop environment, creating your own commands and actions for your droids.If you are looking for more from the world of Star Wars on this special day, check out the best Star Wars Day deals, which includes discounts on Star Wars-related clothing, toys, movies, video games, and more. Additionally, GameSpot spoke with Stig Asmussen about the upcoming game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, where spoke up the setting and creation of Purge Troopers.Info from Gamespot.com

EA has announced that we'll be treated to the first gameplay reveal for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order soon. Although it's probably not a surprise for anyone, the company plans on unveiling the gameplay reveal next month, during EA Play 2019.This year, EA is skipping out on hosting a press conference at E3 2019. Instead, the company's annual EA Play event will be separated into multiple livestreams that air during the week prior to E3. The first day of EA Play will occur on Friday, June 7 and the event will continue until Tuesday, June 11. EA Play is scheduled to take place at the Hollywood Palladium, and attendees will be able to watch presentations and play unreleased games. Whether Jedi: Fallen Order is one of them has yet to be revealed.Last year, EA used EA Play to show off gameplay for Anthem, BioWare's ambitious if troubled loot-shooter, as well as detail its future plans for Battlefield V and announce several new EA Original titles, such as Sea of Solitude. Some of the games shown off at EA Play, like Sea of Solitude, have still not yet released, so there's a chance we'll hear more details or see new trailers for these titles at the event this year.Jedi: Fallen Order was revealed at E3 2018, with the first major details and story trailer released during this year's Star Wars Celebration. One of the six writers for Jedi: Fallen Order, Chris Avellone, said that story is "very important" to developer Respawn. "I think they do a good job of introducing various narrative layers into their games already, but they think the story is an important part of what they perceive to be a Star Wars game," Avellone continued. "That's one of the reasons I like Respawn, because when they tackle something like that, they understand what the important points are."Scheduled to release November 15 for Xbox One, PS4, and PC, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order takes place in the aftermath of Revenge of the Sith. The game puts you in the role of Cal Kestis, a Jedi padawan who escaped Order 66 and is now living in hiding from the Galactic Empire. However, he can't remain hidden forever, and eventually the Empire sends one of its Jedi-hunting Inquisitors, the Second Sister, and Purge Troopers after him. Neither EA or Respawn has revealed much about Jedi: Fallen Order other than that, but there are quite a few people and places we hope we get to see in the game.In honor of Star Wars Day (May 4), several movies, games, toys, and collectibles are also on sale.Info from Gamespot.com

One of the most interesting periods in the story of Star Wars is the 19 years between the end of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and the beginning of Episode IV: A New Hope. That's the section of time when Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa grew up on their respective planets, while the Empire consolidated its power and built the Death Star. The spookiest and most interesting story from that period, though, is the one about how Darth Vader scoured the galaxy after the formation of the Empire, hunting down and exterminating the last of the Jedi.We haven't seen much of what Darth Vader was up to in the years after he turned to the Dark Side. There's a comic series about him that covers a part of that era, but there are still a lot of gaps about what happened to various Jedi in the Dark Times before what's depicted in the original movie trilogy. But we'll soon get a closer look at that period, thanks to one story directly related to Vader's campaign to eliminate his former friends and comrades: Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order.Not a lot is known about Respawn Entertainment's Star Wars game, but the first trailer gives the gist of things. It follows a Jedi Padawan named Cal Kestis, who managed to escape Order 66--the order from the Emperor to his clone soldiers to execute the Jedi--and is now living in hiding. Cal uses his Force powers one day to save someone after an accident, and that exposes him; it looks like the rest of the game is about Cal becoming a fugitive as the Empire tries to hunt him down.Undoubtedly, Jedi Fallen Order will expand on the greater Star Wars story while focusing on the coolness of the moment-to-moment power of being a Jedi Knight. Surely, Cal will send storm troopers flying, lock lightsabers (or maybe vibroblades) with the Empire's spooky Force-wielders, and maybe move some impossibly huge stuff with his mind.It actually all sounds like another great Star Wars game about a Jedi and Darth Vader's campaign to destroy them, which took place during the same period in Star Wars lore and greatly expanded on its story: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Though it was released 11 years ago, Lucasarts' title is available on PC and through backward compatibility on Xbox One and Xbox One X. It remains one of the better realizations of Star Wars as a video game concept--and it told one of the Expanded Universe's best tales, in terms of bridging the gap between the prequel films and the original trilogy, and in fleshing out the enigmatic Darth Vader.The Force Unleashed provides a look at what Darth Vader could have been like as a father.The Force Unleashed dealt with Vader's campaign against the surviving Jedi, but from a different viewpoint: that of Vader's secret apprentice, codenamed Starkiller. The game fleshes out an idea that comes up in The Empire Strikes Back, and which got strengthened in Revenge of the Sith: Vader actually hates Emperor Palpatine for what Vader has become. His falling to the Dark Side and siding with Palpatine cost him Padme and all his friends, plus his legs and the ability to breathe properly. Vader is a true believer in the Empire's fascism as a means to peace, but he also wants to kill and overthrow the Emperor, as is the Sith way. Vader has secretly been training Starkiller to aid him with that goal.Most of the game is just about getting more and more cool powers for Starkiller, who can pick up and throw people, zap them with Force lightning, throw his lightsaber and impale them on it, and a lot more. You defeat huge enemies like AT-ST walkers and rancors, slashing them apart with your lightsaber or using the Force to hurl huge objects at them at ridiculous speeds. Overall, no game has quite gotten at the phenomenal power we all like to imagine the Jedi wield (even if it's a bit over the top) like The Force Unleashed has.But it's the story in The Force Unleashed that really shines. It does a lot to develop Vader, and to a lesser degree, Palpatine, with some great twists. We see Vader at his most intensely evil as he wields power in his abusive relationship with Starkiller, and the game provides a look at what Vader could have been like as a father. That's something the movies only ever showed briefly at the end of Return of the Jedi, and then only in the moment of Vader's redemption. Though he's an adoptive father to Starkiller, Vader is also, basically, his slave master.The battle between the Emperor and Vader doesn't go as planned, though, when the Emperor finds out about Starkiller. Vader kills his apprentice to show his loyalty, but it's a fakeout--Starkiller is secretly saved, and Vader gives him a new mission to gather up the Emperor's strongest enemies and create an insurrection. The plan is to distract the Emperor with a rebellion (!) so Vader and Starkiller can surprise him and take him down.In true Star Wars fashion, though, the conflict between good and evil in the formerly evil Starkiller starts to rage, thanks largely to the friends he's made along the way. While Starkiller is struggling with whether to stay true to Vader or to his new allies, he finally gathers all the rebels together in one place, and The Force Unleashed pulls the rug out again. It turns out, Vader was never trying to use Starkiller to take down the Emperor. This was actually all an elaborate plan created by Palpatine himself, to use Starkiller to gather up all the dissidents into one place, so the Emperor could destroy them with a single blow.Yup, in a paranoid, overly complex bid to destroy all his enemies, the Emperor accidentally creates the Rebel Alliance. The Force Unleashed recontextualizes the entire Star Wars original trilogy in a way that expands on the character of Palpatine as established in the prequel movies, mirroring the Emperor's rise to power in the prequels with a move that results in his downfall. It takes Luke Skywalker's line to Palpatine from Return of the Jedi--"Your overconfidence is your weakness"--and turns it into the game's big twist. Meanwhile, it expands on Vader and Palpatine's relationship, hinting at its turmoil while staying true to both characters. And it gets at just how evil Darth Vader really could be.The Force Unleashed had its problems--its age definitely shows, it's not particularly intuitive thanks to weaknesses with systems like locking onto enemies, and a lot of the story hinges on a love story between Starkiller and his pilot, Juno Eclipse, which does not get nearly enough development--but as a Star Wars video game, it tread a lot of new, interesting ground back in 2007. It's a bummer that a supremely cool explanation for how the Rebel Alliance came to be is no longer a part of the official Star Wars story, but Jedi Fallen Order has the same chance to expand on what we know about the Star Wars films in the same interesting way. We can see more of the galaxy, learn more about what it means to be a Jedi (or not), and most importantly, send more stormtroopers flying into the vacuum of space, using more Force powers. Here's hoping Respawn draws some inspiration from one of Star Wars' best gaming outings.Info from Gamespot.com

Game of Thrones' "Long Night" is over, for better or worse, and with the White Walkers defeated, what remains is what's always been there: the battle for the coveted Iron Throne.But before Jon or Dany (or Jaime or Tyrion or Arya or basically every other character on the show) can shove a knife through Cersei's stupid face and plant a more deserving butt in that seat, Game of Thrones has to do something it's been building toward for many years: Cleganebowl, the battle between the Hound, Sandor Clegane, and the Mountain, Gregor Clegane.Why does this matter? We'll get to that. But there's more than just the history of Game of Thrones to look at; the show's most recent events, including the Hound's visions in the flames and adventures with Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion, may give us some new insight into how Cleganebowl might play out.Let's get that context out of the way first, though.What Is Cleganebowl?"Cleganebowl" is the name Game of Thrones fans (and fans of the book series A Song of Ice and Fire before them) have given to the theorized clash between the Hound, Sandor Clegane, and his brother, the Mountain, Gregor Clegane.This theory was born long ago for those who read the novels, and the reasoning behind it is the same in the show as it was in the books. But since the last book came out almost a decade ago and as far as the books are concerned, the Hound has retired to a religious commune and is out of the running, the most egregious and tantalizing foreshadowing for this fight has taken place in the show's recent seasons. Admittedly, it's a pretty simple story: As Sandor has discussed at various points throughout both versions of Game of Thrones, his brother Gregor is a total dick. When they were kids, Gregor bullied Sandor incessantly, even burning the Hound's face in a hot brazier as they fought over a toy. That gave Sandor the distinctive scars on his face, an all-encompassing cynicism for the world in general, the fear of fire that has influenced the Hound's participation in at least two battles, and a burning hatred for his brother that's lasted their entire lives.For his part, Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane has lumbered here and there throughout the books and the show, wreaking havoc and despair everywhere he went. He brutalized a horse at the tourney in Season 1, and he terrorized Arya during Season 2. In Season 4, he smashed Oberyn Martell's face even while succumbing to the Red Viper's deadly poison, and was later revived as an apparently unthinking, mute zombie to lead Cersei's personal Queensguard. He also has a history of being super terrible in the past; When Daenerys's father, the Mad King Aerys Targaryen, was overthrown, the Mountain reportedly raped and murdered Elia Martel, the wife of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, and killed her children--including an infant. Just about everyone has a score to settle with the guy. When Sandor and Gregor finally came face to face again for the first time since Season 1, it was in the show's Season 7 finale, during The Fateful Meeting of Named Characters in the dragon pit outside King's Landing. "Remember me? Yeah, you do," the Hound told his brother. "You're even uglier than I am now. What did they do to you? Doesn't matter. That's not how it ends for you, brother. You know who's coming for you. You've always known."In other words, Sandor doesn't give a flying chicken whether his brother is a brainless zombie or there's still a glimmer of the old rotten son-of-a-gun in there somewhere behind those purple eyes. The Hound is going to kill the Mountain in the end, and we couldn't be more excited for their final throwdown.How Could The Lord of Light, R'hllor, Fit In?After Arya Stark casually slipped a dagger into the Night King's exposed belly fat like so many joking Reddit commenters and fandom s***-posters had accidentally correctly guessed she would over the years, a question arose: Is the story of R'hllor, the Lord of Light, the God of Flame and Shadow who the Red Priests worship, now finished?Melisandre is dead, her mission to gently suggest that Arya do what Arya does complete. Beric is also dead, having protected Arya so she could reach said pep talk. Thoros died last season after getting mauled by a zombie bear, then being fine, then dying later for no reason. And the Red Priestess Kinvara, who you probably don't remember because she appeared in a single scene back in Meereen two seasons ago, might as well be dead, because there's no way she's ever appearing on this show again.But R'hllor might have one follower left on the continent of Westeros: Sandor Clegane. With every other R'hllor-loving character dead, the Hound may be next to take up the Lord of Light's cause.The narrative set-up is all there. The Hound witnessed Thoros bring Beric back to life many seasons ago (after being the one to land the killing blow, in fact), and seemed shaken. He saw visions in the fire that inspired his group of misfits to head north to the Edifice Formerly Known As The Wall, where they helped Jon on his extremely stupid mission to kidnap a zombie. He's been hanging around with these characters for seasons on end, and despite his projected cynicism, Sandor has seen the signs himself. And there's plenty of thematic pay-off to be had in Sandor Clegane embracing the God of Fire. Fire is the tool his brother used to scar him for life, both physically and emotionally; fire is the source of Sandor's cynicism, and his greatest fear, producing a primal response in him that we've seen over and over, whether at the Battle of the Blackwater, his duel with Beric long ago, or the recent Battle of Winterfell. Fire is the Hound's greatest weakness, and overcoming that weakness could represent the growth of his character if he finally abandons his cynicism and finds inner calm.Plus, Red Priests get to light their swords on fire. There's poetic justice in the idea of the Hound bashing his undead brother's big, stupid head in with a flaming blade, and more importantly--the reason I think the show may actually follow through on this one--it would look awesome.There are three episodes left to go in Game of Thrones' final season, and more than anything else, Cleganebowl happening is just shy of certain. Here's hoping the show manages to do it in a way that has actual narrative and thematic pay-off, and looks cool too.More Game of Thrones:Season 8, Episode 3 "The Long Night" ReviewWhy The Battle of Winterfell's Deaths Left Me ColdWhere is Jon's Direwolf, Ghost?What Did Melisandre Say To Arya In Season 3?What Was Their Actual Battle Plan in "The Long Night"?What Happened To Jon's Dragon?Who Was Daenerys's Father, The Mad King, And Why Does He Matter Now?Info from Gamespot.com

The final season of Game of Thrones is upon us, and it's wrapping up plot threads and offing characters left and right. Season 8 is only six episodes, but it has a lot of heavy lifting to do in acting as the culmination of everything that's happened in the show up to now. We're halfway through Season 8, we've seen the Battle of Winterfell, and there's still a lot of ground to cover.We know it's a big undertaking to remember everything that has happened in Game of Thrones while readying to tune in each Sunday. There are any number of theories, callbacks, Easter eggs, and lore dives to keep in mind for each episode. That's why we've got a massive rundown of all our Game of Thrones coverage--everything you need to know about each episode, what might be coming down the pike, and what's important that has come before.Read on for a mess of links bringing you everything you might want to know about Game of Thrones Season 8. We've arranged our coverage by episode, but keep in mind: If you're not caught up, later stories are going to include spoilers!Table of Contents [hide]Everything You Need To Know Right NowEpisode 4Episode 3: "The Long Night"Episode 2: "A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms"Episode 1: "Winterfell"Everything You Need To Know Right NowFirst and foremost, here's everything you should remember from past seasons, and where all the characters are at the start of the season. If you need a little backstory refresher, read up about Daenerys's father, the Mad King Aerys Targaryen, and what his whole deal was.We also have a complete rundown of who's still alive through the show's latest episode, and a running list of all the deaths in Season 8--but these take into account all the episodes of Season 8, so if you're not caught up, beware of spoilers.Meanwhile, if you're thinking about what happens after Game of Thrones, here's the latest on the show's first spin-off. It's also worth noting that a second one has been canceled.Episode 4The halfway point of the season means the Battle of Winterfell is behind us, but there's still a lot going on. Check out these photos from HBO to give you a look at the next episode, and watch a teaser trailer for the upcoming episode. You might also want a refresher on a plot point set up at the start of the season: That meaningful crossbow that Qyburn gave to Bronn, with orders to use it on Tyrion and Jaime. There's also an interesting theory about Cersei's pregnancy. And don't forget about Cleganebowl, the theorized showdown between the Hound and the Mountain.Episode 3: "The Long Night"The dead brought the battle to the realms of men in Episode 3, "The Long Night," Game of Thrones' longest and most-watched episode ever. Read our review of the episode, which Senior Entertainment Editor Mike Rougeau found to be disappointing, and watch Lucy, Ryan, Dave, and Tamoor's Episode 3 breakdown video.And here are all the Easter eggs and references you might have missed in the episode, plus 10 new theories about the show after "The Long Night."You might be wondering what happened to Jon Snow's direwolf, Ghost, and his dragon, Rhaegal. Both were part of the battle, but both disappeared before the end. We can also give you some insight into who the Night King was and what his goals were.You can also get a refresher on what Melisandre told Arya all the way back in Season 3, an explainer of what the battle plan actually, uh, was, and a look at what Gendry made for Arya. And there was a cameo in the episode you might have missed.There were a lot of discussions flying around Episode 3 as well. Read Mike Rougeau's take on why the deaths in the episode left him cold, and an explanation of why calling Arya Stark a Mary Sue is the dumbest Game of Thrones opinion on the internet.Episode 2: "A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms"The night before the Battle of Winterfell saw a number of big moments between characters at Winterfell as everyone prepared to die. It was also full of callbacks: Check out a rundown of all the episode's Easter eggs, read our review, and watch our full and lengthy video breakdown of the episode.The character moments were many and meaningful. Arya Stark and Gendry fulfilled a fan ship that had been simmering for years, and Brienne of Tarth made Westerosi history. The episode also included a deep cut from the books in the form of the song "Jenny of Oldstones," sung by Podrick Payne--you'll want to learn more about that one. And we saw the sneaky return of Ghost the direwolf.You can also read about the fan theories that developed out of Episode 2, to see how they track with what took place in Episode 3, and watch a behind-the-scenes feature about "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" from the show's creators.Episode 1: "Winterfell"The start of Game of Thrones Season 8 was all setup for the coming battles, both against the Night King and, eventually, for the Iron Throne. Read our review of the premiere, catch up on the list of Easter eggs hidden within it, and watch our big video breakdown. "Winterfell" is also full of visual references with Game of Thrones' very first episode, so check out this list of all the callbacks and parallels.You should also read about why Jon Snow riding the dragon Rhaegal is a big deal, prophecy-wise, and find out what happened to Ed Sheeran's character in Season 7. There are also all the theories that the first episode of the season generated, many of which have since been dashed.Info from Gamespot.com

The last week--Week 10--of Fortnite: Battle Royale Season 8 is underway. That gives you one final set of objectives to take on before Season 9 begins. Week 10's challenges are now live across PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices, asking you to do things like jump through flaming hoops and search a treasure map signpost at Junk Junction. In addition to trying your hand at those, this is also your last chance to level your Battle Pass up and unlock any remaining Season 8 skins and rewards.As has been the case this whole season, there's an added bonus for completing as many challenges as you can. If you finish all of the tasks from a given week, you'll complete one of Season 8's Discovery challenges, which in turn will unlock a special loading screen. These screens all feature some cool artwork, but the real reason you want to unlock them is because each one contains a subtle clue that points you to a free Battle Star--which levels your Battle Pass up by one tier--or a Banner--which can be used as a profile icon--hidden somewhere around the game's map.If you've finished all 10 weeks' worth of Season 8 challenges, you'll be able to pick up one final Banner before the season ends. To find it, though, you'll need to look carefully at the loading screen below, which is your reward for completing the tenth Discovery challenge. This screen depicts a group of characters gazing at the mysterious alien vault beneath Loot Lake, which will presumably play a pivotal role in the seasonal changeover as Season 9 begins.Among the things you can spot in the loading screen is someone in the Peely banana skin and, more importantly, the hidden banner. It's located just near the perimeter of the hole, in the northwest corner.You can see the Banner's exact location on the map below. We also walk you through where to find it in the video at the top of this guide. However, the usual caveats will apply. This particular Banner won't appear in the game unless you've completed all 10 weeks' sets of challenges and unlocked the above loading screen, so you won't be able to simply go to the right area and collect it unless you've done all the necessary work.You only have a few more days to complete any outstanding Season 8 challenges and unlock all of this season's Battle Pass rewards. If you need help mopping up some remaining missions, be sure to check out all of the tips we've put together in our complete Fortnite Season 8 challenges guide. You also still have a little more time to take part in Fortnite's Avengers: Endgame crossover event and unlock the new Avengers-inspired rewards.Fortnite's final update of Season 8, patch 8.51, arrived on May 2. Along with the usual assortment of bug fixes and gameplay tweaks, the update introduced the recently teased Shadow Bomb item, which gives players the ability to turn invisible temporarily and gain additional movement speed and abilities. You can read the full Fortnite 8.51 update patch notes here.Info from Gamespot.com

Actor Peter Mayhew, who is best known for his portrayal of Chewbacca in the Star Wars series, has passed away. Mayhew died on April 30 in his home in North Texas, USA. He was 74.His passing was announced by his family in a statement posted to Twitter. After the news broke, tributes poured in. Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill said, "He was the gentlest of giants-A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly-I'm grateful for the memories we shared & I'm a better man for just having known him." Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo opposite Mayhew's Chewbacca, told The Hollywood Reporter, "Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character. These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbacca. We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience."A number of other actors and celebrities connected to Star Wars and otherwise have responded to the news. Scroll down to see their responses.Mayhew played Chewbacca in the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith and The Force Awakens in a role shared by Joonas Suotamo. Mayhew did consulting work for The Last Jedi to help Suotamo feel capable in the role.Outside of his film career, Mayhew did a lot of charitable work for groups like Wounded Warriors, Make-A-Wish, and the 501st Legion. He also created his own Peter Mayhew Foundation that supports individuals and families in need.The family of Peter Mayhew, with deep love and sadness, regrets to share the news that Peter has passed away. He left us the evening of April 30, 2019 with his family by his side in his North Texas home. pic.twitter.com/YZ5VLyuK0u — Peter Mayhew (@TheWookieeRoars) May 2, 2019Mayhew is survived by his wife, Angie, and three children. "His kindness, generosity, and care will live on in the Peter Mayhew Foundation with Angie taking the helm as his voice," his family said in their statement.Mayhew's first big movie role was in 1977's "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger," which was released in the same year as A New Hope.He was the gentlest of giants-A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly-I'm grateful for the memories we shared & I'm a better man for just having known him. Thanks Pete #RIPPeterMayhew #Heartbroken @TheWookieeRoars pic.twitter.com/8xbq9HEWF2 — Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) May 2, 2019"We are deeply saddened today by the news of Peter Mayhew’s passing. Since 1976, Peter’s iconic portrayal of the loyal, lovable Chewbacca has been absolutely integral to the character’s success, and to the Star Wars saga itself."-Kathleen Kennedy. More: https://t.co/iGfk9XRzKa pic.twitter.com/5edrPrEuRS — Star Wars (@starwars) May 3, 2019Much more than Chewie to me...My heart hurts…I will miss you my dear friend…thanks for the great memories! #RIPPeterMayhew #StarWars pic.twitter.com/0DfCo59zpG — Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) May 3, 2019The @WaltDisneyCo mourns the loss of our beloved #chewbacca portrayer, #PeterMayhew. Peter was larger than life in so many ways...a gentle giant playing a gentle giant. Rest in peace. — Robert Iger (@RobertIger) May 2, 2019RIP Peter Mayhew. To create a beloved character with warmth and humor is a testament to any actor’s spirit. To do it under a half ton of yak hair takes a true legend. ❤️❤️ — Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) May 3, 2019💔I am so sorry to hear about Peter. We had so many fun and memorable tweets back and forth over the years plus seeing each other at a convention here and there. My deepest condolences to his family. He will be sorely missed! 😢 https://t.co/R3lAEvkQJc — William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 2, 2019R.I.P 😔 pic.twitter.com/FWRgaOS0Tf — Joonas Suotamo (@JoonasSuotamo) May 2, 2019Sad to hear of Peter Mayhew's passing. So long, Chewie, may the force be with you. — Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) May 2, 2019 Info from Gamespot.com