With its release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S fast approaching, a new trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has been unveiled, giving fans a glimpse of what they can expect from the upcoming sequel. The trailer highlights the darkness that has engulfed the galaxy in the five years since Cal Kestis discovered his Jedi heritage, as he battles various enemies from the prequel and original trilogy eras.
One of the intriguing antagonists featured in the trailer is Rayvis, a Gen’dai enforcer who resembles a purple Hulk wearing Iron Man armor. Fans of the Star Wars: Clone Wars series may recognize the similarities between Rayvis and Durge, another Gen’dai enforcer from the show. While Rayvis is seen delivering physical attacks to Kestis, it’s worth noting that Gen’dai typically have a slimy, tentacled body that can regenerate quickly when damaged. Their armor helps to control their biomass, and they typically follow a code of honor when engaging in combat.
For PC players looking to dive into Jedi: Survivor on its April 28th release date, Respawn Entertainment advises having at least 155GB of storage space available for the game. While the PC requirements for the game are relatively modest, the game’s size is a significant factor.
According to Jordan Ramée’s preview in GameSpot, “Survivor sets up some intriguing ideas and teases some potentially interesting character dynamics in its second chapter.” He noted, however, that he was more impressed with what he could not talk about than what he could, but overall, the sequel to one of his favorite Star Wars games seems to be shaping up nicely.
Additionally, Star Wars Celebration recently unveiled updates for new movies and TV series that are currently in development, including the Disney+ show Ahsoka, launching in August, and the second season of Andor, scheduled for a 2024 release. Daisy Ridley will also star in a new Star Wars film set 15 years after the events of Rise of Skywalker.
James Mangold, who has directed films like Logan and Indiana Jones 5, and is set to direct an upcoming Star Wars movie, has been revealed to be writing the script for DC’s Swamp Thing, which is one of the first movies in James Gunn’s and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe (DCU) project. This news was confirmed by Mangold himself in an interview with Collider, where he mentioned that he is currently writing both Swamp Thing and the new Star Wars film. Mangold didn’t reveal any specific details about the plot or production of the Swamp Thing movie, but he did confirm that it is definitely happening.
The Swamp Thing film will be part of the DCU’s Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, which consists of five films and five TV shows. Superman: Legacy is set to be the first of these films and will be released on July 11, 2025. The other films will include The Authority, The Brave and the Bold (a Batman and Robin film), Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and Swamp Thing, although the order of release has not been confirmed yet.
In addition to the films, there will also be five TV shows, which include Creature Commandos, Booster Gold, Waller, Paradise Lost, and Lanterns. These movies and TV shows are part of Gunn’s and Safran’s new vision for the DCU, which will be reset after the release of The Flash.
Four US lawmakers, namely Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Joaquin Castro, Rep. David Cicilline, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland and DOJ antitrust chief Jonathan Kanter to investigate the 2022 Warner Bros. Discovery merger. They cited the Batgirl cancellation as a reason for the investigation, among other concerns.
According to the lawmakers’ letter, the merger appears to have allowed Warner Bros. Discovery to adopt potentially anticompetitive practices that harm workers and reduce consumer choice. They argue that the merger led to the hollowing out of an iconic American studio, citing Batgirl’s cancellation, which was reportedly deep into post-production and canceled despite consumer outcry.
Batgirl was originally planned as a $70 million film that would go straight to HBO Max, but it was later decided to move the film to theaters, and the budget was increased to $90 million. Unfortunately, the film was eventually canceled.
Aside from Batgirl’s cancellation, the letter also argues that Warner Bros. Discovery has the incentive and ability to eliminate broad swaths of its workforce, leaving workers with fewer choices for employment and advancement. This is evident in the layoffs in the past year, the shutdown of CNN+, and other actions taken by the merged company.
The lawmakers believe that the impact of consolidation on content creators, workers, and consumers is worth investigating, despite the merger taking place on April 8, 2022. It remains to be seen if the DOJ will take any action in response to the lawmakers’ letter.
According to Box Office Mojo, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has had a stellar opening, grossing a total of $204,628,865 in the United States during its first five days of release, including an estimated $34,690,000 on Easter Sunday. The movie has also earned an estimated $377,628,865 worldwide during the same period. These impressive numbers have earned the film the title of the highest-earning all-time worldwide opening for an animated film, surpassing Frozen II, which opened over a regular three-day frame, unlike The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s five-day frame.
Furthermore, the film now holds several records, including the biggest all-time opening for a video game film adaptation, the biggest domestic and worldwide openings of 2023 so far, and the second-biggest all-time domestic opening for an animated film. The movie earned $31,702,735 on its opening day in the U.S., and its global one-day total is $66.4 million. The film earned an estimated $26,566,130 in the U.S. on Thursday, an estimated $54,800,000 on Friday, and an estimated $56,870,000 on Saturday.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie opened in the U.S. and over 60 markets worldwide on Wednesday and will open in Japan on April 28 after a delay from its initial December 21 release date. Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic directed the film, with a script by Matthew Fogel. The movie features a star-studded English voice cast that includes Chris Pratt as Mario, Charlie Day as Luigi, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach. Other notable cast members include Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Jack Black as Bowser.
The Japanese dub cast members include Mamoru Miyano as Mario, Arisa Shida as Peach, Tasuku Hatanaka as Luigi, Kenta Miyake as Bowser, and Tomokazu Seki as Toad. The film’s co-producer, Chris Meledandri of Illumination Entertainment, stated that Super Mario Bros. creator Shigeru Miyamoto was heavily involved in the movie’s creation, and this original creative voice is a rare presence in Hollywood film adaptations. Nintendo and Universal Pictures both funded the project, with Universal Pictures handling worldwide distribution.
The highly anticipated mobile game, The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth, is set to launch on May 10, 2023, on both the Apple App and Google Play stores. This strategy RPG allows players to build a team of iconic heroes and villains from the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and embark on a quest to discover the power of a brand new Ring.
Players will have the option to choose between good and evil factions, with the game featuring both PvP and PvE combat. The adventure takes players across the land of Middle-earth, offering both familiar and alternate tellings of Tolkien characters. The game boasts upgradable characters, with some coming from factions not previously seen in Middle-earth.
Combat is turn-based and players must carefully choose their characters, taking advantage of team-up attacks and synergy bonuses. The game promises continuous support post-launch, with game director Nick Reinhart teasing “lots of awesome content and feature plans coming.”
Fans of Tolkien’s work have another reason to celebrate in May, as The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is set to release on May 25. This game explores the events between Gollum’s discovery of the One Ring and the start of The Lord of the Rings story. Early impressions of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum have been positive, with the game making a strong case for piloting one of the most peculiar yet important characters in the lore.
When it comes to the world of PC gaming, Steam is the leading platform that dominates the industry. As the Steam Deck continues to gain popularity, more and more gamers are flocking to the platform to play games. With millions of users logging in daily, Steam offers valuable insights into the gaming habits of PC gamers around the world.
While Steam provides weekly data on the top-selling and top-played games on the platform, we have compiled a list of the top 10 most-played games on Steam for the month of March 2023 based on the total number of players. This list offers an overview of the games that gamers have been spending the most time on and can provide an idea of the current trends in the PC gaming industry.
1. Counter Strike: Global Offensive
Counter Strike: Global Offensive is an immensely popular team-based shooter game that has been dominating the Steam Charts for several years. First launched as a spinoff of Half-Life: Counter-Strike in 2012, the game has since grown in popularity and evolved with updates and new features. Valve, the developer, has even announced a sequel, Counter-Strike 2, set to release sometime in the summer. The game’s enduring success on Steam can be attributed to its roots in Valve’s ecosystem and the requirement to log in to Steam in order to play online multiplayer. As a free-to-play game, Counter Strike: Global Offensive has captured the attention of millions of players worldwide and is a beloved favorite among the PC gaming community.
2. Dota 2
Dota 2 is a free-to-play video game that seamlessly blends online real-time strategy (RTS) and role-playing game (RPG) elements, developed by Valve. Since its original release in 2013, the game has been a consistent chart-topper on Steam. While its free-to-play model has undoubtedly contributed to its success, it’s worth noting that the game has a steep learning curve, making it challenging to get into without investing time and effort into mastering its complex mechanics and strategies.
3. Apex Legends
Apex Legends is a battle royale game that has earned a reputation as one of the top titles in its genre. Its fast-paced gameplay, unique cast of characters, and frequent updates make it a standout among other live-service games. For those looking for a change from Fortnite, Apex Legends offers a fresh and engaging experience. As a free-to-play game, Apex Legends has a low barrier to entry, making it accessible to a wide range of gamers.
4. PUBG: Battlegrounds
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, commonly known as PUBG, is a free-to-play battle royale game that first debuted in 2017 and helped popularize the genre. Despite being one of the original battle royale games, its popularity has decreased over time, especially in comparison to newer titles such as Apex Legends and Fortnite. Nevertheless, it still maintains a significant player base and remains a favorite among many gamers.
5. Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is a popular first-person shooter that offers both engaging campaign gameplay and strong multiplayer options. Developed as a direct sequel to the original Destiny, the game is set in a sci-fi universe and has consistently remained a top game on Steam. The release of new DLC content and regular updates have kept players invested in the game, with the recent Lightfall expansion seeing a surge in players returning to the game.
6. Goose Goose Duck
Goose Goose Duck is a unique and free-to-play social deduction game that has gained a lot of attention due to its popularity on Twitch. Unlike other games on this list, it does not involve shooting or battle royale gameplay. The game is similar to Among Us in that it requires players to work together to complete a mission, while being on the lookout for any suspicious behavior from other players. However, in Goose Goose Duck, players take on the roles of geese and ducks, with the added twist that some of the geese may actually be malicious ducks in disguise. It’s a fun and lighthearted game that is sure to keep you and your friends entertained for hours.
7. Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V, the latest installment in the popular GTA franchise, has been a fan-favorite since its release in 2013. Set in the sprawling metropolis of San Andreas, the game features three playable characters with intertwining storylines. In addition to the massive single-player campaign, GTA Online has added a ton of content since its launch, keeping players engaged and entertained for years. As one of the top-selling games of all time, it’s no surprise that fans are eagerly anticipating the release of GTA 6.
8. Lost Ark
Lost Ark, an action-packed MMORPG, was first released in North Korea in 2019, and only arrived in the US in February 2022. Despite not being free-to-play initially, it rapidly gained massive popularity and quickly became one of the most-played games on Steam. In March 2023, a new update was released, which brought more players back to the game. Lost Ark offers an immersive gaming experience with its stunning graphics, engaging storyline, and a vast open world to explore.
9. Naraka: Bladepoint
Naraka: Bladepoint offers a unique twist to the popular battle royale genre, setting itself apart from other free-to-play games in this category. Unlike its counterparts, this game comes at a price. However, the exciting battles you engage in are reminiscent of fighting games rather than traditional battle royale games. Expect to experience a thrilling blend of martial arts-inspired combat and mythical medieval weapons.
10. Rust
Rust is a challenging and popular survival game that’s entirely multiplayer. It offers factions, raids, an electricity system, and a wide range of vehicles to keep players engaged. With a dedicated player base and frequent updates, Rust is an excellent game to enjoy with friends. However, players should be prepared to struggle for survival in a PvP and PvE environment where everything is a threat.
Disney has released the first trailer for Lucasfilm’s upcoming live-action series, Star Wars: Ahsoka, and fans are already hyped for the show’s premiere on Disney+. The trailer was unveiled at Star Wars Celebration and showcases stunning visuals, leaving fans eager for more.
The series takes place after the fall of the Empire and follows Ahsoka Tano, a former Jedi knight played by Rosario Dawson, as she investigates an emerging threat to the galaxy. Ahsoka and Sabine Wren, played by Natasha Liu Bordizzo, embark on a quest to find Grand Admiral Thrawn in hopes of locating the lost Jedi Ezra Bridger, who vanished with Thrawn many years ago. The show will continue several storylines from the animated series Star Wars Rebels.
The trailer also confirms the casting of Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla and the return of the droid, Chopper. Fans also get their first glimpse of Grand Admiral Thrawn, teasing the storyline from Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire novels.
In addition to Rosario Dawson and Natasha Liu Bordizzo, the series stars Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, Ivanna Sakhno, Eman Esfandi as Ezra, and Ray Stevenson. The limited series is written by Dave Filoni, who also executive produces the series alongside Jon Favreau and Kathleen Kennedy.
Fans will be able to stream Star Wars: Ahsoka exclusively on Disney+ starting in August 2023.
During Star Wars Celebration, it was announced that Daisy Ridley, who starred in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, will be appearing in another Star Wars film set 15 years after the events of Rise of Skywalker. The film, led by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, will see Ridley portray a Jedi Master tasked with rebuilding the Jedi Order. Sharmeen expressed her attraction to the hero’s journey and the importance of having more heroes in the world. Ridley was revealed to be the powerful Jedi master that Sharmeen had been working with. Three new Star Wars films were confirmed to be in development, including one by The Mandalorian’s executive producer Dave Filoni and another by James Mangold. The announcements added to an already busy Star Wars Celebration, which also included updates on Andor Season 2, Ahsoka, The Mandalorian, The Acolyte, and more.
Netflix has released a trailer for its upcoming political drama series titled The Diplomat, which stars Keri Russell as Kate Wyler. In the series, Kate becomes the new US Ambassador to the United Kingdom amid an international crisis and war, and she is not exactly suited for the job, which has serious implications for her marriage and political future.
The show’s synopsis reveals that Kate was originally supposed to go to Afghanistan, as she is great in crisis zones, but in a historic home, not so much. With war brewing on one continent and boiling over on another, Kate must diffuse international crises, forge strategic alliances in London, and adapt to her new position in the spotlight while trying to navigate her marriage to fellow career diplomat and political star Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell).
The Diplomat was created and is showrun by Debora Cahn, who has previously worked on shows such as The West Wing, Grey’s Anatomy, and Homeland. Alongside Russell and Sewell, the series stars David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh, with guests including Celia Imrie, Michael McKean, Nana Mensah, and T’Nia Miller.
The Diplomat will debut on Netflix on April 20th, 2023.
Square Enix has released a new trailer for the upcoming PlayStation 4 and Switch release of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster game series, revealing its April 19 release date on both platforms. The trailer showcases the games’ new “pixel font” as well as the option to choose between remastered and original soundtracks. It also highlights the new feature to turn off random encounters and adjust experience point rates.
The bundle will include the first six main numbered titles in the Final Fantasy game series, which can be purchased as a bundle or individually. Square Enix is also offering a limited-run physical edition called Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster -FF35th Anniversary Edition-. The collector’s edition comes with a picture vinyl set, eight 3D pixel figurines, an artbook, and a lenticular sleeve.
Previously, the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series was released for Steam and mobile devices, which are 2D remasters of the first six main numbered titles in the franchise. The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster, and Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster games launched in July 2021. The Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster game launched in September 2021, while the Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster launched in November 2021, and the Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster game launched in February 2022.
