Electronic Arts can go ahead and mark one potential star player off its list for cover athlete on next year's edition of the Madden NFL franchise. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase revealed during a press conference this week that he doesn't want to appear on the game's cover, seemingly aware of the Madden curse.On X, Bengals columnist Mike Petraglia shared a video clip of Chase where the star wide receiver discusses video games. While he does play Madden, Chase clearly doesn't want to be the game's cover athlete. When asked about the possibility, the NFL's wide receiver leader in catches, yards, and touchdowns replied: "No, I don't want that [knocks on wood]. No."JaMarr Chase was all fun and games talking old school video football games and Madden until the subject of a possible cover came up. No! I dont want that. pic.twitter.com/jfo1P46hgD Mike Petraglia (@Trags) December 19, 2024 Chase offered a "no comment" when directly questioned about the Madden curse. However, the Bengals wide receiver was open to appearing on the cover of a NFL Street revival game. CBS Sports recently ran through the data of Madden cover stars for this century (2000-24), finding that 58% of the players were "cursed"--meaning they dealt with an injury or decline in performance. However, the report states that only 25% in the past decade have been "cursed."Continue Reading at GameSpot

Has a horror sequel gotten as much attention as Scream 7? It's been a big few weeks for the upcoming slasher sequel as fans have learned that Courteney Cox is playing Gale Weathers again and there are several other young actors attached, including Isabel May as Sidney Prescott's (Neve Campbell) daughter. Fans also cheered when they learned that Mason Gooding is coming back.

Baldurs Gate 3 has been a monumental success for Larian Studios, achieving widespread acclaim after its full release in 2023. The turn-based CRPG not only revived mainstream interest in the genre but also set a new benchmark for quality storytelling and player freedom. With Baldurs Gate 3 capturing the attention of both PC and console players, the CRPG landscape has never looked more promising.

Splatoon 3 has announced that its winter-themed Frosty Fest seasonal Splatfest event will be coming back next year, with the event starting on January 11. The rerun of Splatoon 3's Frosty Fest event will also have some free rewards, including ones for fans who missed playing the seasonal Splatfest the first time. This is the second returning seasonal Splatfest theme, following Splatoween from earlier this October.

Game Title: Space Marine Two: Wrath of the WarpGenre: Third-Person Action RPGPlatform: PC, PlayStation, XboxOverview: Space Marine Two is the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Space Marine franchise. Set in the Warhammer 40k universe, the game places players in the boots of a veteran Space Marine, tasked with saving the galaxy from an even greater threat than before. The story pick

Summary:This article discusses what games even are, what fun truly is and how to see video games beyond the old outdated traditional notion of games being mere time wasting entertainment. It may open your mind to see how video games can be viewed in a completely different light to empower humans, rather than enslaving nor exploiting them.People cant seem to define fun:I want to dispel a common belief that is still prevalent in both developers' mi

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Every December, heroes and heroines around the superhero world are pulled into unusually seasonal experiences that draw upon their powers of goodwill and cheer as much as their super strength. Its only a matter of pages before Jolly Old Saint Nick himself, Santa Claus, appears and reminds everyone to think good thoughts if they want a happy morning on Dec. 25.You dont want to know quite how many yuletide tales I have in my comic collection and yet despite their overwhelming number, there are those out there who are of the opinion that such stories dont actually count. People firmly believe, in their two-sizes-too-small hearts, that any story in which Superman, Batman, Spider-Man or whoever teams up with Father Christmas isnt actually canon. To those people, theres just one thing to say in response: humbug!Santa is canon. And I can prove it.Santas Big Two comics career actually got started at DC, way back in 1940s Supermans Christmas Adventure. The one-shot teams the Man of Steel and the Man With The Big White Beard against the wonderfully named Dr. Grouch and Mr. Meaney, two old men for whom Ebeneezer Scrooge was clearly a personal inspiration. Christmas Adventure written by Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, with art from Jack Burnley manages to create a framework that a significant number of later stories would follow, even if they would lack the beautifully purple prose that Siegel offers the lucky reader.Yuletide! Period of gaiety and good will among men! It seems hardly possible that anyone could be so mean as to sabotage such a beloved event, but Dr. Grouch, gloomy killjoy, plans to do just that. And thats just half of the first caption.Across the next 80 years, Santa has shown up in a number of different DC comics, including titles as diverse as Sgt. Rock and The Spectre. He teamed with Superman again in DC Comics Presents (the story is, wonderfully, titled Twas the Fright Before Christmas!). He was given a grim and gritty 1980s makeover in 1985s Ambush Bug Stocking Stuffer (pictured). Perhaps most excitingly of all, he appeared in 1991s Lobos Paramilitary Christmas Special, where he fought off the eponymous Main Man himself after the latter was hired to assassinate Santa by a jealous Easter Bunny (it was all done with an seasonally generous lack of restraint on the part of Keith Giffen, Alan Grant and Simon Bisley).Perhaps the comic that most clearly confirms Santas canonicity in the DCU in the modern era is 2001s JLA #60, Merry Christmas, Justice League Now Die!. The book was DCs biggest superhero title of the time, putting it squarely in what was considered real for the DCU. The majority of the issue is made up of a story Plastic Man tells a kid about a fictional team-up between Santa and the JLA, but the coda features the actual Santa chuckling at what hes just seen seals the deal: Santa is definitively real in the DCU.When it comes to the Marvel Universe, the argument is even easier to make. Lacking a sizable reboot of its lengthy history, every story Marvels ever published featuring Kris Kringle is part of Marvel canon. That includes 1991s Marvel Holiday Special short in which the X-Men discover that Santa Claus is one of the most powerful mutants on Earth Jonathan Hickman, the balls in your court. And 2016s Power Man and Iron Fist: Sweet Christmas #1, where Santa shows up in a flashback, keeping the demonic Krampus at bay years before Luke Cage and Danny Rand had the same gig. Even Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #112, a one-off issue from 1985 where Santa shows up to shame a thief dressed in a Santa costume, is part of the official history of the Marvel Universe.Admittedly, there are some stories where the canonicity can be doubtful; a 1992 short from Marvel Age #109 where Captain America remembers rescuing Santa from the Nazis in the middle of World War II may or may not be part of official Marvel history. Not because of Santas involvement, but because it was one of the generally out of continuity humor strips from cartoonist Fred Hembeck, for example. (It is, however, a great idea nonetheless.) Regardless, Santas place in Marvel canon is pretty secure, given the evidence on hand.So entrenched in the Marvel Universe is he, in fact, that theres even a non-Christmas comic where he appears. 1988s Sensational She-Hulk #8 answers the question of what Santa does when hes not delivering toys around the globe on an annual basis: Turns out, hes the worlds greatest detective, going by the name of Nick St. Christopher a man who, as he cheerfully explains, always know[s] whos been naughty and nice (I cant wait to see how they write this one up in [The Official Handbook to the] Marvel Universe, the fourth-wall-breaking She-Hulk comments as the story ends.)To the chagrin of all super-Grinches out there, the tradition of including Santa Claus in Marvel and DC comics is far from a thing in the past; a 2018 issue of Deadpool sent the Merc with the Mouth after Father Christmas in a story not entirely dissimilar to DCs Lobo special from a quarter century earlier this time, though, it was some disgruntled kids who wanted Santas jolly head on a plate and last years New Years Evil one-shot from DC had an appearance from NiKlaus of Myra, a powerful wizard who was literally Santa using yet another name. Both of those are, it should be added, canonical appearances.As long as there are Marvel and DC comics not to mention the holiday season, although that should perhaps be taken for granted given the context it seems guaranteed that Santa Claus will continue to show up in both universes on an irregular basis, spreading good cheer and reminding audiences that, at heart, superhero comics are filled with ridiculous, unrealistic characters created to bring smiles to the faces of children. For those that have a problem with that, theres a lump of coal with your name on it.Happy holidays, or else.

Each week on Polygon, we round up the most notable new releases to streaming and VOD, highlighting the biggest and best new movies for you to watch at home.This week, Anora, Sean Bakers romantic crime comedy starring Mikey Madison, arrives on VOD. Thats not all there is to watch this week, though, as the supernatural horror film Cuckoo comes to streaming on Hulu this weekend along with the new National Geographic documentary Blink. As for new releases on Netflix, weve got a touching comedy drama starring Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane, a historical drama starring Kerry Washington, and much more!Heres everything new thats available to watch this weekend!New on NetflixBetween the TemplesWhere to watch: Available to stream on NetflixGenre: Comedy dramaRun time: 1h 51mDirector: Nathan SilverCast: Jason Schwartzman, Carol Kane, Caroline AaronIn this comedy-drama, a cantor faces a crisis of faith after his wifes death. But he unexpectedly reunites with his childhood music teacher, who seeks his help for a belated bat mitzvah. Sparks fly between the two as they reconnect and confront their personal relationships with Judaism.Between the Temples first premiered at this years Sundance Film Festival.The Six Triple EightWhere to watch: Available to stream on NetflixGenre: War dramaRun time: 2h 7mDirector: Tyler PerryCast: Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Dean NorrisTyler Perrys new war drama is centered around the real life 6888th Battalion, an all-black and all-female Army Corp Unit. The 6888th Battalion was sent to Europe in World War II to help manage the postal service, which in turn helped raise morale for troops abroad. Kerry Washington stars as Major Charity Adams, the real-life commanding officer of the battalion.The ForgeWhere to watch: Available to stream on NetflixGenre: Family dramaRun time: 2h 4mDirector: Alex KendrickCast: Cameron Arnett, Priscilla Shirer, Aspen KennedyA young man a year out of high school decides to start making better life decisions. He lands a warehouse job and then, at an unlikely mentors prompting, starts showing up to a mens Bible study group. But its no normal mens Bible study; its called the Forge and they get cool swords.New on HuluCuckooWhere to watch: Available to stream on HuluGenre:HorrorRun time:1h 42mDirector:Tilman SingerCast:Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Jessica HenwickHunter Schafer (Euphoria) stars in this horror movie as Gretchen, a teenager grieving the recent loss of her mother. After being forced to move to the Bavarian Alps by her father and stepmother, she is hired to work for Herr Knig (Dan Stevens), the owner of the hotel her parents have been hired to help build. However, Gretchen soon discovers theres something far more sinister going on under the surface of this idyllic resort.BlinkWhere to watch: Available to stream on HuluGenre: DocumentaryRun time: 1h 23mDirectors: Daniel Roher, Edmund StensonThis documentary charts the story of a family from Canada who embark on a worldwide trip with one mission: to show their children as many wonders of the world as possible before their sight diminishes due to a rare genetic disorder.New on MaxJuror #2Where to watch: Available to stream on MaxGenre:Drama thrillerRun time:1h 54mDirector:Clint EastwoodCast:Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J.K. SimmonsThe latest film from director Clint Eastwood stars Nicholas Hoult as Justin, a young man serving on the jury of a high-profile murder trial who slowly grows to suspect that he may be responsible for the victims death.New to rentAnoraWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Romantic dramaRun time: 2h 19mDirector: Sean BakerCast: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura BorisovSean Bakers Golden Globe-nominated comedy-drama stars Mikey Madison (2022s Scream) as Anora, a sex worker from Brooklyn who unexpectedly meets and marries Ivan Vanya Zakharov (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of wealthy Russian oligarch. As Toros (Karren Karagulian), Vanyas godfather, goes on a mission to have the marriage annulled, Anora is forced to fight for her fairy-tale ending.Small Things Like TheseWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Historical dramaRun time: 1h 38mDirector: Tim MielantsCast: Cillian Murphy, Eileen Walsh, Michelle FairleyCillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) stars in this period drama as Bill Furlong, a devoted father and coal merchant who uncovers a terrible revelation behind a convent in his town, which in turn forces him to reckon with a shocking truth of his own. Based on Claire Keegans 2021 novel, Small Things Like These tackles the lingering controversy behind Irelands Magdalene laundries.

Ive seen a lot of interpretations of Hamlet different actors taking on Shakespeares iconic story in both stage and film formats. But Grand Theft Hamlet offers something Ive never seen before, which is a production of the play set in the world of GTA Online. The upcoming film isnt just a beat-for-beat recreation of the play within the game, though; its actually a documentary about the projects staging and organization, which took some serious doing.Co-directed by the U.K.-based married couple Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane, the former being a documentarian and the latter an actor, Grand Theft Hamlet came about because of the pandemic. With the world in various states of lockdown and quarantining, and Crane out of work as an actor given that whole situation, the pair turned to video games as a place to stage a play, and filmed this documentary about the process.The result looks both hilarious and deadly serious, in turns, as the trailer makes very clear. The bizarre project keeps getting interrupted by other players, and yet the heartwarming bit is the number of other players whove decided to actually help make it happen, despite the inherent difficulties of the setting. This is the kind of weird art project I love to see.Grand Theft Hamlet is heading to theaters on January 17, and will be streaming on Mubi at a future date.