Atari Announces RPG Twist on Classic Franchise PONG Quest

Atari announces RPG twist on classic franchise PONG Quest

Looking to rival the success of former-owned publisher Namco’s Pac-Man World franchise, Atari has unveiled their role-playing game twist on an iconic franchise with PONG Quest, a new take on the classic tennis game with a story mode, online play and collectibles, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

RELATED: Final Fantasy VII Remake Launching Early in Europe!

The virtual table tennis game gets a humorous RPG reimagining from original studio and UK-based developer Chequered Ink for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and online storefront Steam. The design duo are known for their work on the PC and mobile titles Spell Worm and Gyro Boss.

PONG Quest will see players control a brave young personified version of the classic game’s paddle as they journey through various dungeons based on other Atari titles including Asteroids, Centipede and more, with the main quest featuring RPG battles that combine classic gameplay with a modern twist.

“PONG as an RPG is something completely unexpected but wonderful in execution,” Jean-Marcel Nicolai, Atari’s chief operating officer, said. “We are thrilled to bring PONG Quest to life to honor the classic IP and bring the beloved gameplay to a new generation of players and RPG fans. Atari has a rich portfolio of titles, and exploring new ways to breathe new life into those IP yields exciting results.”RELATED: New Predator: Hunting Grounds Gameplay Released for Trial WeekendIn addition to the story mode, the game with feature online multiplayer with up to three players, customization options for the paddles and more than 50 PONG ball power-ups that offer unique abilities. The original game was released in 1972 from Atari and is often believed to be the first commercially successful video game that helped jump start the game industry and spawned various sequels and remakes over the past 50 years.

PONG Quest is set to debut this spring on consoles and on Steam for $15.

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Greg Nicotero Shares Look at Spider Puppet for Creepshow Season 2

Greg Nicotero Shares Look at Spider Puppet for Creepshow Season 2

With Shudder’s Creepshow currently delayed, like many other movie and television projects, special effects legend and showrunner Greg Nicotero has shared a glimpse at one of the puppets that was in development before production was shut down. You can check out the spidery animatronic in Nicotero’s post below!

 

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Even though filming for CREEPSHOW season 2 is delayed, I wanted to give you a little glimpse at one of the puppets IN PROGRESS before “the pause”. A wee bit more hair work and need to connect controllers for body and mandible articulation. It’s tough to get too close to this cause I am terrified of spiders but good therapy I guess. #creepshowtv #creepshow #animatronics

A post shared by Greg Nicotero (@gnicotero) on Mar 28, 2020 at 7:35am PDT

Nicotero serves as showrunner and executive producer on the series that is produced by Cartel, Monster Agency Productions, Taurus Entertainment, and Striker Entertainment.

The first season Creepshow, available to stream now and available for pre-order on Blu-ray (click here to grab your copy!), featured original Creepshow star Adrienne Barbeau, Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul) Tobin Bell (Saw), Tricia Helfer (Lucifer), David Arquette (Scream franchise), Dana Gould (Stan Against Evil), Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator), Bruce Davison (Longtime Companion) and DJ Qualls (Supernatural).

RELATED: Shudder April 2020 Movie and TV Highlights Announced

The original 1982 Creepshow was directed by George A. Romero from a screenplay by Stephen King that paid tribute to the EC horror comics (ala “Tales From the Crypt”) of the 1950s. The film featured stars such as Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, Leslie Nielsen, Ted Danson, and Ed Harris, and grossed $21 million at the box office. It was followed by a sequel in 1987, directed by the first film’s cinematographer Michael Gornick from a screenplay by Romero, once again based on short stories by King, grossing $14 million.

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Criterion Collection & Janus Films Establish Art House Relief Fund

Criterion Collection & Janus Films establish art house relief fund

With many theaters facing shutdowns around the world amidst pandemic concerns, art houses are at the most risk of permanent closures, but Janus Films and Criterion Collection have partnered up to establish The Art-House America Campaign relief fund to help support over 150 independent theaters across the states.

RELATED: Kino Marquee Expands To 150 Virtual Theater Screens

The campaign was kick-started with an initial donation of $50,000 from the Criterion and Janus, and they are inviting friends of independent theaters and art houses everywhere to join them in this fundraising effort. The fund is being administered by the Art House Convergence, a nonprofit association dedicated to sustainability in a community-based, mission-driven media exhibition. The Art-House America Campaign aims to provide financial relief to struggling independent cinemas across the country so they can pay staff and their essential bills and survive until it is safe to reopen their doors.

The intention of this fund is to ensure that art houses are able to reopen when safe to do so. Funds are intended to support essential payments during the closure. Essential payments include those for payroll, insurance, rent, nondeferrable loans, utilities, fundraising, and mortgages. Funds cannot be used for equipment purchases, future programming, or executive compensation.

RELATED: The Criterion Channel Announces One-Year Anniversary Lineup

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis based on need, and funds will be distributed as soon as an application has been approved. To qualify, a theater must be a United States-based art-house motion picture exhibitor that operates year-round and has been open and operational for at least 6 months prior to COVID-19–related closures. It cannot be publicly traded or manage more than 4 separate theaters, and 75 percent of staff must be based in the metro area where the theater is located.

The campaign is slated to run for one month, ending April 30, but grants will be made on a rolling basis as soon as funds are available and applications are approved.

To donate to the campaign, visit their GoFundMe page here!

ComingSoon.net recommends all readers comply with CDC guidelines and remain as isolated as possible during this urgent time.

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Netflix’s Resident Evil Series in Limbo, Monster Hunter Movie Completed

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Netflix’s Resident Evil Series in Limbo, Monster Hunter Movie Completed

During an interview with Deadline, Constantin Film boss Martin Moszkowicz revealed that Netflix’s Resident Evil series is currently in limbo as the series was meant to start in June but they are now in discussions with the streamer over when to schedule the series. Meanwhile, the Milla Jovovich-led Monster Hunter movie adaptation has been completed.

RELATED: Netflix Cancels October Faction and V Wars After One Season

Regarding the Monster Hunter project, Moszkowicz says they are still “set for a September worldwide release” and they are “delivering it this week.”

News about a Resident Evil television series set up at Netflix dropped in January 2019 with plans to expand upon Resident Evil’s cinematic universe with new stories set in the already established world. The series, like the films, is based on Capcom’s hugely popular video game series. The feature adaptations have earned $1.2 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film series to be based on a video game.

RELATED: Locke & Key Renewed for a Second Season at Netflix

The Monster Hunter series consists of action role-playing games where players and their friends work together to take down larger-than-life beasts in a living, breathing ecosystem.

Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, Monster Hunter stars Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil franchise, Hellboy) and Tony Jaa. The movie will also star Ron Perlman (Drive), T.I. Harris (Ant-Man and The Wasp), Diego Boneta (Luis Miguel, Rock of Ages), as well as Meagan Good (Code Black) and Josh Helman (X-Men: Days of Future Past).

Pick up your copy of Monster Hunter World: Iceborne Master Edition here!

The plot centers on the leader of a UN military team named Artemis, played by Jovovich, who is transported to another realm populated by monsters. There she meets the Hunter (Jaa), with the two teaming up to close a portal to prevent monsters from attacking earth.

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RUMOR: Jamie Lee Curtis to Appear in The Mandalorian Season 2?

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RUMOR: Jamie Lee Curtis to Appear in The Mandalorian Season 2?

There’s a rumor spreading from MakingStarWars.net that Jamie Lee Curtis was spotted on The Mandalorian Season 2 set and could be making an appearance on the Disney+ live-action Star Wars series. No sources have confirmed the rumor, but the site has shared that Curtis was either “there for a set visit” or could possibly “have a role in the series” due to their reporting of her being around “multiple times.”

RELATED: The Mandalorian’s The Child Coming Home Thanks to Hot Toys!

After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.

Pedro Pascal (Kingsman: The Golden Circle) stars as a lone Mandalorian gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy and is joined by Gina Carano (Deadpool) who plays Cara Dune, a former Rebel Shock Trooper, having trouble re-integrating herself into society.; and Carl Weathers as Greef, a man who heads a guild of bounty hunters that hires The Mandalorian for a specific job.

Purchase Rogue One: A Star Wars Story here.

The series also stars Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), Emily Swallow (Supernatural), Carl Weathers (Predator), Omid Abtahi (American Gods), Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man) and Nick Nolte (Affliction). Michael Biehn (The Terminator, Aliens) has been added to the cast for Season 2, and Bill Burr will be reprising his character of Mayfield in the second season.

RELATED: The Terminator’s Michael Biehn Joins The Mandalorian Season 2

Jon Favreau serves as executive producer and showrunner for the series, Directors for the first season included Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels), who helmed the first episode, plus Deborah Chow (Jessica Jones), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope), Bryce Dallas Howard (Solemates) and Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok), who also provided the voice for bounty hunter IG-88 in the series.

The Mandalorian is executive produced by Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. Karen Gilchrist will serve as co-executive producer.

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Rick and Morty Anime Short Goes Full Lone Wolf & Cub!

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Rick and Morty anime short goes full Lone Wolf & Cub!

While we wait patiently for the remaining 5 episodes of Adult Swim’s animated smash Rick and Morty to premiere sometime this year (fingers crossed), the network has given fans a special treat to tide them over. A five-minute Rick and Morty anime parody has debuted, offering a takeoff on the classic manga/film series Lone Wolf & Cub, which you can check out in the player below!

Click here to purchase the initial 5 episodes of Rick and Morty Season 4!

Created by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima, Lone Wolf & Cub ran as a serialized comic book series from 1970 to 1976, chronicling the samurai executioner turned ronin Ogami Ittō as he traveled with his young son Daigorō to take revenge on the shogun. Six Lone Wolf and Cub live-action feature films starring Tomisaburo Wakayama as Ogami Ittō were released in the early 70’s, later compiled in english as Shogun Assassin (1980). The latter was famously sampled by The Wu-Tang Clan and featured in Kill Bill. Disney+ series The Mandalorian is also heavily inspired by the Lone Wolf series.

Click here to purchase Lone Wolf & Cub on Criterion Blu-ray! Click here to purchase the manga series!

RELATED: Rick and Morty Season 4 Trailer: Half the Season You Deserve!

Taika Waititi (The Mandalorian, What We Do in the Shadows), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park), Paul Giamatti (Billions) and Kathleen Turner (Romancing the Stone) appeared as guest voices in Season 4.

Rick and Morty had been previously renewed for 70 episodes, spread out over an undetermined amount of seasons, although a typical Rick and Morty season is 10 episodes. Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon have stated that there will be a serialized element to every episode of Season 4, while each will feature a strong story that stands on its own as well.

In Season 4, Rick Sanchez (Justin Roiland) is still living with his daughter Beth’s (Sarah Chalke) family and causing more trouble than ever. This season the rest of the family, his son-in-law Jerry (Chris Parnell), grand-daughter Summer (Spencer Grammer) and grandson Morty (Justin Roiland) are dragged into Rick’s intergalactic adventures, as he faces new threats and mysteries of his secret past are revealed. Can the family survive Rick’s insanity and all the chaos the universe throws at them?

RELATED: Rick and Morty Season 4 Clip With Taika Waititi

Created and executive produced by Dan Harmon (Community) and Justin Roiland (Adventure Time), the half-hour animated series follows a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his inherently timid grandson on insanely dangerous adventures across the universe.

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Avengers Cinematographer Tapped for Third MCU Spider-Man

Avengers cinematographer tapped for Spider-Man 3

According to the website Discussing Film, Academy-Award nominated cinematographer Seamus McGarvey has been tapped to shoot the next Spider-Man film for Marvel. McGarvey previously worked on Josh Whedon’s Avengers, as well as Godzilla, Bad Times at the El Royale, Fifty Shades of Grey, The Accountant, and Nocturnal Animals, among others.

RELATED: Tom Holland Explains How Drunk Phone Call With Bob Iger Saved MCU Spider-Man

There’s been a lot of anticipation for the third installment in the Tom Holland-led Spider-Man franchise since the renewal of the deal between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures. Actor Tom Holland recently confirmed that production on the project is set to begin in July!

While promoting his new Pixar adventure Onward with The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Holland ensured he didn’t break any spoilers as he’s been known to do with previous Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, but did reveal that the script is “absolutely insane” and will feature the return of Zendaya (Euphoria) as MJ.

Holland will return for the film as the titular wall crawler, and it remains to be seen what villains he’ll go up against in the trilogy caper. Given the ending of Far From Home however, any number of his rogues gallery are likely eager for a fight. Holland’s Spider-Man is also set to appear in another Marvel Studios film per the new agreement.

RELATED: Exclusive Spider-Man: Far From Home Blu-ray Clip!

The third Spider-Man film from Marvel Studios is set for a July 16, 2021 release, officially adding another addition to the already crowded Phase 4 release slate. The release date puts the film in direct competition with Paramount’s Mission: Impossible 7, which opens on July 23, 2021. Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings opens on February 12, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness opens on May 7 and Thor: Love & Thunder opens on November 5, 2021, making 2021 the fist year we get FOUR MCU movies!

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