Welcome to this week’s PUNCHLIST, where we round up the biggest news in nerd culture. It might be from the MCU, board gaming, D&D, and more. But whatever the news is this week, you can bet it will eventually separate you from your money.
7. Xbox Series X Backwards Compatibility Revealed
Microsoft has put over 500,000 hours of testing into their new console’s backwards compatibility capabilities, and the verdict is in: “all Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One games playable on Xbox One today, except for the handful that require Kinect, will be available – and look and play better – on Xbox Series X|S at launch.” That is one heck of a library, and is unprecedented backwards compatibility for any next-gen console.
+ More here: Xbox Series X/S Compatibility
6. Playstation Plus Members’ Free Games for November Available Today
Two very highly rated titles are now free to all Playstation Plus subscribers: Middle-Earth: Shadow of War and Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition. In addition, those upgrading to the new PS5 later this month will receive Bugsnax for free – a game that has garnered much buzz since its showcase at the PS5 Reveal Event back in June.
+ More here: PS+ Free Games for November
5. Dungeons and Dragons Live Action TV Series in the Works
While not many details are currently known (or at least have not been revealed), Hasbro is working on a TV series based on Dungeons and Dragons alongside the movie that is slated for 2022. Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner cites the growing popularity of D&D, both product sales and streaming entertainment, as the reason behind the new venture.
+ More here: Hasbro Developing D&D TV Show
4. AMC Theaters Feeling the Sting of COVID Closures in Major Way
AMC Theaters reported a $900 million loss in the most recent quarter; a drop of over 90%. Several financial strategies have been undertaken by the corporation in an effort to avoid bankruptcy, but the outlook is still fairly bleak. Nearly all major theatrical releases scheduled for 2020 have postponed until next year or gone straight to VOD with the exception, so far, of Wonder Woman 1984, meaning revenue for the company is unlikely to improve for the rest of the calendar year. Could this be the death of the movie theater?
+ More here: AMC Suffers Big Losses in 2020
3. Halloween Kills Teaser Trailer Revealed
Halloween Kills is set to release on October 15, 2021, and continues the story of the conflict between Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and the seemingly unstoppable Michael Myers. The 2018 reboot received the highest critical praise of the franchise since John Carpenter’s original back in 1978, and Curtis is already calling Halloween Kills “a masterpiece.”
2. World of Warcraft’s Shadowlands Expansion Release Date Announced
The eighth expansion for the world’s most popular MMORPG World of Warcraft, Shadowlands, is set to release on November 23, 2020. After a delay of just about a month, developers have announced they’ve done a bit more fine-tuning and are ready for market. The expansion’s first raid will drop just two weeks after launch.
+ More here: World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
1. Sean Connery Dies at 90
Sir Thomas Sean Connery, knighted in 2000 and acclaimed movie star, passed away on Saturday, October 31st. He is survived by his wife, Micheline Roquebrune, and his son, Jason Connery. Roquebrune explained that the actor suffered from dementia in the end, but passed as he wished quietly and in his sleep. Many of his fellow actors have honored his memory in the few days since.
Check back next Wednesday for more news for nerds. And don’t forget to catch Clave and Abram’s Facebook Live breakdown of each week’s news Wednesdays at 4:30pm CST!
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