‘Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity’ is a hack-and-slash ‘Breath of the Wild’ prequel

Nintendo is still working on its Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel, but in the meantime, it has another related title to announce. Today, the company revealed that it’s working on a prequel: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. The game is set...

Netflix is making a live-action prequel series to ‘The Witcher’

After several filming delays due to COVID-19, you probably shouldn’t expect to see season 2 of The Witcher on Netflix anytime soon. But fans have even more to look forward to: in addition to an anime film, the streaming service has a live-action preq...

6 Ideas for a Sequel to the Witcher 3

Image: Source

For now, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the last game in the successful series as CD Projekt RED move on to work on something new. But it would be foolish to let what is turning out to be a hugely successful franchise fade away without making the most of the growing fan base and momentum.

The Witcher games serve as continuation to the stories of Geralt the Witcher, initially short stories followed by five novels and a prequel book, written by Andrzej Sapkowski. The games pick up where the novels end, and do a very good job of building on the source material and growing on from it.

And what now? The sequels can go in a number of directions, although the game (Witcher 3) ends differently for everyone who plays it, considering all the choices you have to make about a few major issues. There are also two expansions coming out in the next six months which might affect the grand story.

And still, there are enough interesting things to see and do in the world created by Sapkowski and expanded by the video games, and we’re here to offer our assistance in finding the right idea to develop into the next game.

Ciri the Witcher

There are a number of possible endings in Witcher 3. My favorite one, for Ciri at least (and it’s also the one I got on my playthrough), is her becoming a Witcher. She and Geralt work as a pair for a bit before parting.

The next game will be about Ciri’s stories on the trail, although with no Witcher schools existing anymore (that we know of) she’s basically constantly on the go, without a Winter hibernation spot. I’m not quite sure about the story but obviously she’ll get involved in Northern Kingdoms vs Nilfgaardian empire politics and wars and it would be wise to involve her elven blood and connections somehow.

Still Geralt

Geralt, in most endings, keeps on hunting monsters, although if he’s with Triss or Yennefer (or maybe even without them, just like it happened to me when trying to grab the moon and the sun at the same time) he does a lot less than before.

This should have the biggest appeal to the fans of the series, because he’s the most famous character, the main protagonist in all three games and he simply is The Witcher. 

Just like Ciri’s case, it’ll be about once again getting mixed up in North vs South wars among the many side quests that better minds than me can come up with, but the main thing here is sticking with what works, only finding new motivation and life goal for Geralt.

The Other Witcher Schools

There’s one more option in my opinion for a protagonist. Another Witcher. While it does seem like Witchers are a dying breed, and not just in Kaer Morhen. But lets say somewhere in this fictional world there’s a Witcher school still operating. Maybe down in the South, or maybe in some land we haven’t been exposed to in the books or the games. This opens up the possibility of moving away from Temeria, Kaedwen, Aedirn and Redania, although in the end of some of the games, they’ve all been swallowed by the Nilfgaardian empire, except for Temeria which sort of get to keep their independence.

Make it About the Other Worlds

One of the most popular quests in Witcher 3 was when Geralt joins Avallac’h and they travel together through a number of worlds (a desert one, a weird tropical one, an ice one) to reach the home of the Aen Elle and their city of Tir ná Lia.

In short, the possibilities are endless, especially with Ciri being able to time travel as well, although maybe after stopping the White Frost some of those powers have disappeared.

Wizards Making a Comeback

Regardless of the choices you make during Witcher 3, magicians and sorceresses are on the run, at least in the Northern Kingdoms. But being arrogant and talented, they’re also ambitious. Part of the next game could involve some power struggle between magicians who once again try to create a lodge or some sort of cabal to influence or even rule over the other rulers, be it in Kovir or even in the Nilfgaardian provinces.

Prequel

There are short stories and novels to go back to. While following the story in the books would create an interesting situation because of how the Open World allows you to stray off the main quest, it can be worked around, especially in the short stories settings and some parts in the Novels timeframe. Ciri escaping Cintra and Geralt finding her? Previous Geralt hunting of monsters? The story of the Witchers before the pogrom in their home Kaer Morhen? There are plenty of good ideas to develop into a game (and also a decent movie or TV series if we’re on the subject), even if they’re only mentioned in a line or two during the books or games themselves. (Image Source)

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Best ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Ideas for TV or Film

Robert on Pyke

The Game of Thrones TV show is part of the ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ Universe, although differing from it in more than one way. However, as good as it is, it can’t go on forever. The books will end as well at some point. Yet the fans want to see more.

There’s plenty of history to this world or universe created by George R.R. Martin. Just like ‘The Lord of the Rings’, there’s a lot more to this than just the “main quest”. Spin-offs and prequels can be made a’plenty, and there are quite a few ideas that can generate huge hits in both the movie theaters or on TV screens.

Robert’s Rebellion

Art by Lensar

The books and the TV show begin 15 years after Robert usurped the Iron Throne from the last Targaryen. The events of his rebellion which took place over several years and split the kingdom into loyalists and rebels are constantly referred to in both mediums, obviously described in more detail in the books.

Beginning with Rhaegar abducting Lyanna Stark (or was it in consent???) and ending with Robert sitting on the Iron Throne through dubious means, there’s plenty of action and underlying themes to the whole epic event, which can be extended by going a few years into the future when Ned & Robert quelled the rebellion of the Greyjoys.

Dunk & Egg

Art by toniet1234

The story of Dunk & Egg is spread out over several novellas, not all of them released. It tells of a squire who finds himself without a knight who meets up with boy who turns out to be a Targaryen prince, Aegon. Together they travel Westeros. We know how it ends for both of them (not well), but what happens until that tragic ending is fantastic to read, plus it gives everyone an excellent sense of Westeros before the days of Robert’s Rebellion. The first story begins 90 years before the moment the show picks up ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ and each Novella (there have been three so far) would make for a perfect 3-episode mini series or long film.

The Princess and the Queen

The Princess and the Queen is a Novella that covers most of the events of the Dance of the Dragons. No, this isn’t the name of the fifth novel in the series, but referring to a war between brother and sister, Aegon II Targaryen and Rhaenyra Targaryen, which tore the kingdom apart and killed most of the dragons before they completely disappeared.

The novella covers two of the two and half years that this civil war (occurring 160 years before the beginning of the show), and it’s hard to see it happening on HBO because of the huge CGI budget needed for the dragons, who feature in almost every battle.

But if there’s an action film to be made out of the stories in this universe that involves both armies battling and dragons going head to head, nothing beats this event.

Blackfyre Rebellion

Every event gets the chains moving to set up another big one. After the Dance of Dragons was over, another Civil War had to happen. It occurred more than 60 years later, but in ‘The World of Ice and Fire’, a book about the incomplete history of the ASOIAF universe, it’s evident that it all stems from there.

In short, it’s another succession battle between Targaryens, this time a legitimate son and a legitimized bastard which ones again pulls the Seven Kingdoms into turmoil. There are hardly any mentions to this one in the show but the books and especially the Novellas, happening shortly after the conclusion of the rebellion (the first of them) touch upon it a lot more.

Because of the scope and span, this could be made into a series, even more than one season. It can span the years leading up to the Rebellion, or connect with a Dunk & Egg show that comes after. It’s probably too big for just one film to cover. It doesn’t have dragons (all dead by now) so HBO can produce it.

History of Tywin Lannister

 

Art by RedSaucers

One man looms larger than life and that is Tywin Lannister. If you’re following the show, you know he dies an awfully terrible one (not that there’s a good death in Game of Thrones or in life) but probably the most powerful man in the kingdom without actually being king, his life and rise to power, which includes lifting his house to the top of the Westerosi food chain could make for an excellent series which includes action and politics, beginning with him taking the place of his dead father and bringing back honor to his house, his way of dealing with rebellious lords and his disgusting part (allegedly) in Robert’s rebellion.

If you want your Christams to be all about ‘Game of Thrones’ check out these brilliant decorations. If you’re more of a gadget person, then these are for you.

 

Star Wars Episode II and III 3D re-releases officially dated for theaters in September and October 2013

Star Wars Episodes II and III 3D rereleases coming to theaters in September and October 2013

Before Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace came back to the theaters earlier this year converted for 3D, the plan was to bring the other five movies to theaters one at a time each year, but that has apparently changed. At the Star Wars Celebration VI event in Orlando (where we first found out about the Blu-ray release two years ago) Lucasfilm announced that Episodes II and III in 3D will be released in theaters back to back in fall of 2013, arriving September 20th and October 11th, respectively. Missing so far from the announcement? A reason for the back-to-back release or any word on Blu-ray 3D plans. In lieu of more details, although it means Attack of the Clones will come back later in the year than Phantom Menace did, with any luck this accelerated schedule is a good omen for the original trilogy's return. Of course, we'll have to wait and see what magic can be worked with those older film and special effects elements, however IGN apparently found an early preview of the Episode II 3D footage to be promising.

[Thanks, Rachael]

Continue reading Star Wars Episode II and III 3D re-releases officially dated for theaters in September and October 2013

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Star Wars Episode II and III 3D re-releases officially dated for theaters in September and October 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 16:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OUYA console’s first exclusive game is ‘Human Element’ prequel from former Call of Duty maker

OUYA console's first exclusive game is 'Human Element' prequel from former Call of Duty maker

After all the excitement from the Yves Behar-designed OUYA console's massive Kickstarter campaign fades away, like every other console it will be judged on the quality of its games we finally have the name of one. Robotoki president Robert Bowling -- best known as @fourzerotwo on Twitter and formerly as a producer from Infinity Ward for the Call of Duty series -- has announced plans to bring an "episodic prequel" to the company's first game Human Element exclusively to OUYA. While not much is known about Human Element yet other than that it's a survival game set in a zombie apocalypse scheduled for release in 2015, although Bowling is promising OUYA backers will get exclusive access to updates during development. He can also be counted among that group, cheerfully noting in a video along with the announcement that he's contributed $10,000 to the cause. That's one project on the list -- any bets on which developer will be next to hitch their game to the bandwagon?

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OUYA console's first exclusive game is 'Human Element' prequel from former Call of Duty maker originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diablo III: Wrath Is Well Worth Six Minutes of Your Time

I hope you have your hands well rested and ready for a ton of clicking because Diablo III is only one week away, launching on May 15. Rest those hands and clean your mouse like a soldier breaking down his gun as you wait. While you wait, be sure to check out this animated short that Blizzard has released.
diablo 3 wrath

Directed by Aeon Flux creator Peter Chung, Diablo III: Wrath is a prequel to the game that focuses on the war between the angels and demons. Diablo fans are sure to love it, despite lines like “Your rage makes you powerful,” Besides what else are you going to do as you count the hours?

The cartoon is about six minutes long, and it is beautifully animated, regardless of the occasionally cheesy dialogue, so it is worth your time. Anyway soon you will be hacking and slashing to your hearts content, so in the meantime, enjoy.

[via Geekosystem]