Pokémon Champions Producer Acknowledges Visual 'Limitations' Amid Ongoing Fan Scrutiny of Series' Graphics

The Pokémon Company technical director Masaaki Hoshino has acknowledged continued fan scrutiny of the series' visuals, seen most recently in criticism for Pokémon Champions.

Hoshino is a veteran of the Pokémon series, who worked on Pokémon Yellow before a long stint at Japanese fighting game developer Bandai Namco. This then led to him returning to work on Pokémon as producer on its more traditional fighting game spinoff Pokkén Tournament, developed by Bandai Namco, before its MOBA spinoff Pokémon Unite, and finally Champions itself.

Champions launched earlier this month to a wave of feedback that expressed disappointment for the game's relatively basic feature set and small Pokédex roster. And, yet again, there was criticism of the game's visuals — as there has been for various mainline Pokémon game entries over the past decade.

"Yes, as a Pokémon fan, I naturally understand the various discussions currently taking place within the fan community," Hoshino said when asked specifically about scrutiny of Pokémon game graphics, talking to Eurogamer Germany. "I can totally relate to all of it.

"Regarding the graphics and gameplay, we've truly tried to do our best in both areas," he continued. "The battle system is a huge focus. And what we're really concentrating on is ensuring fairness — since it's such a competitive battle game — and that the traditional game system works, and that we have that firmly under control.

"But as far as the visual side, the graphics, is concerned, I have experience from working on Pokkén Tournament, and one of my goals for that game was actually to make the Pokémon game with the best graphics at the time. And I think we did a good job with that back then. But only two Pokémon were ever visible on screen at the same time. With Pokémon Champions, we have more limitations."

Fans have pointed to various bugs and oddities seen in some Pokémon models, many of which can be ironed out over time, but also to a relatively simplistic look for the game overall — particularly on Nintendo Switch 2, where Champions still runs at 30fps and there are no major improvements to textures.

Still, Hoshino defended Champions by saying he was pleased by the fact that "all the Pokémon have their own shadows," which was something he prioritized in development, and the game's battle effects, which were developed from scratch for the game. "I was very thorough in reviewing them and personally went through every single one," Hoshino said. "Phew, that was a lot of moves."

Fans have suggested that Champions retains a relatively simplistic look, even on Switch 2, as the game was designed to work cross-platform on mobile. This was not a point that was put to Hoshino for him to address, however. (Pokémon Champions' smartphone versions are currently set to launch later this year.)

Of course, the debate around visuals may shift again in 2027, when Pokémon finally ditches the aged Switch 1 console era for good. Fans have already gained their first glimpse at the ambitious-looking Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, the franchise's long-awaited 10th generation mainline games, which will launch exclusively for Switch 2 at some point next year.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

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Blast Blade Brings a New Dimension to Platform Fighters

Blast Blade from Silent Bark games is a 3D platform fighter that puts you behind the wits and weapons of warriors and magic users. You and up to four contenders face off in one of many dynamic arenas, but unlike traditional fighting games, there are no hit point bars for you to chip away at. The only way to win is to build up your opponents’ damage percentage until they’re vulnerable enough to be blasted out of the ring and over the horizon by a powerful attack.

Blast Blade's mechanics are simple and easy to grasp. There’s no need to memorize complex character moves that require on-the-dime execution. You can move freely on the land and in the air, which lets you dodge your foes' hard-hitting attacks while taking advantage of openings to get your own hits. As you pummel your opponents, you build up an Ultimate gauge. Once it’s full, you can unleash a massive attack that sends them flying. One strategic hit is all it can take to turn the tables when you’re inches from defeat. Blast Blade will feel familiar for fans of 2D platform fighters, but its unique 3D mechanics add another layer to the experience.

The fantasy-themed roster of fighters livens up fights with close-range combat and long-range attacks. The long-eared thief Nino can run circles around opponents before going in for the kill by launching himself like a little missile wrapped in kinetic energy. Glaciel, a wise and mysterious mage, hurls shards of ice from a distance. Meanwhile, the bulked-up Maddox prefers to let his enemies come at him head on, letting him grab and grapple with foes before they can even try to topple him. Whichever style you favor, you’ll find a fighter that fits what you're looking for.

And as you play, you learn more about these characters and what each of them are fighting for. The world is being torn apart by Azel, a twisted human who resents that his people don’t have the strength or longevity of the other two races, Elves and Sentients. He wants to tear everything down and build it back up in humanity's favor using the powerful Origin Crystal. It’s up to you and Blast Blade’s colorful group of warriors to stand up to him.

Story Mode provides single-player gameplay, but there are also head-to-head options through online and local multiplayer. Online battles are for up to four people, and there are lots of options to tweak your local play however you want. Create 1v1 duels, 2v2 team battles, or four-player free-for-alls. If you feel like fighting alone, spar against AI opponents to sharpen your skills.

Interested in trying Blast Blade’s 3D twist on platform fighting games for yourself? You can try out the free demo this June to acquaint yourself with its world and characters before the official launch in March 2027. Also, don’t forget to follow Blast Blade’s official X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Stop by the Discord to chat with fans and keep up with the latest news.

You can wishlist Blast Blade on Steam now, and keep an eye out for its Steam Early Access release in September.

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Epic Games Confirms Fortnite Refunds for D4vd Cosmetics, Plans Further Changes

Epic Games has confirmed it will refund D4vd cosmetics to any Fortnite player who makes a request via player support, with further changes to come.

21-year-old U.S. singer D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, was charged with the murder of a 14-year-old girl, Celeste Rivas Hernandez. It is alleged that he killed her on or around April 23, 2025, after she threatened to report their relationship. Burke pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilating a dead body.

Fortnite players had for some time called on Epic Games to remove D4vd emotes and jamtracks from the game, with some saying they would rather not own the items. The D4vd items include the Feel It and Trophy Drop emotes, and the What Are You Waiting For and Locked and Loaded Jam Tracks.

Today, after players reported success in getting a refund from Epic via player support, a tweet from the Fortnite Status account confirmed the news, and noted that further changes were coming. The statement is published below:

We hear the concerns. We have a bunch of changes we’re rolling out over time. The first one will be available on Tuesday April 28th, when anyone who purchased one of these items will be able to get an immediate self-service refund. And, right now, players who request refunds for D4vd cosmetics via player support can be refunded.

Some players are now asking Epic Games to remove the D4vd emotes from their accounts if they obtained one of them without buying it, for example through tournament placements. Epic has yet to say if it will remove D4vd cosmetics entirely from the game, but based on its statement, this could fall under "a bunch of changes we’re rolling out over time."

Photo by Ted Soqui - Pool/Getty Images.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

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The Best Deals Today: Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, Splatoon Raiders, AMD Ryzen 9 9900X, and More

A new weekend has arrived, and today, you can save big on Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, Apple AirTags, 4K Movies, and more. Check out our top picks for Sunday, April 26, below.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined for $49.99

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is one of the biggest RPG releases of the year so far, and this weekend you can score a copy on any platform for $49.99! This is a great entry point if you've never played a Dragon Quest adventure before, or if you're keen to explore more of the series after the HD-2D Erdrick Trilogy Remakes!

Refurbished Sony 4K OLED BRAVIA 8 TV for $1049.99

Woot has a great deal on this Sony 4K OLED BRAVIA 8 TV, with refurbished units available for $1049.99. Sony's Bravia line is well respected and usually more expensive, making this TV well worth a look if you're in the market for a new one. If you're aiming for the best picture quality and rich colors, you cannot do better than OLED, and these units are often still like new.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Switch 2) for $29.99

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade dropped on Switch 2 earlier this year, and today, you can score a copy for $29.99 from Walmart. This is the definitive version of the game, featuring Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade with all its enhancements from PS5 and Episode INTERmission, starring Yuffie Kisaragi. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is set to launch on Switch 2 in early June, so now is the time to catch up.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 4K UHD for $15.49

Kill Bill is one of Tarantino's most beloved films for a reason, with its massive revenge story spanning over two films and four and a half hours. Today, you can take home Kill Bill: Vol. 1 on 4K UHD Blu-ray for $15.49, and I'm even seeing a further discount via coupon for $11.61.

Nintendo Switch 2 - Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 Bundle

The limited time Nintendo Switch 2 - Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 Bundle is live now, and you can save $20 off a copy of Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 for a limited time. If you've yet to pick up a Switch 2 console, now is a great time, especially with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book set to launch next month.

Splatoon Raiders Up for Pre-Order

Splatoon Raiders is officially due out this July, and pre-orders have now opened for the series' first single-player-focused game! In addition to physical Nintendo Switch 2 copies, three new Splatoon Raiders amiibo of Frye, Shiver, and Big Man are also set to release on July 23.

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X for $373.81

Amazon has the fantastic AMD Ryzen 9900X on sale today for $373.81, which saves 25% off MSRP. In our 8/10 review, we wrote, "The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is an incredible processor, easily able to power through creative applications like Adobe Premiere and Photoshop. However, its gaming performance is a bit less impressive for the price, making it hard to recommend to dedicated PC gamers."

Apple AirTag 4-Pack for $56.99

Apple AirTags are one of the best purchases you can make as an iPhone user. After pairing it once, you can instantly throw an AirTag almost anywhere, including a wallet, purse, backpack, suitcase, or even a Nintendo Switch 2 case. You can save over $40 today at Woot on a 4-pack.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble for $15

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble was a great return to form for the series, and if you've yet to check this one out, you can score a copy for $15 today at Amazon. There are over 200 brand new stages to discover, 300 customization items, and plenty more to check out in this one.

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones for $248

Amazon has the incredible Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones on sale today for $248. In our 9/10 review, we wrote, "The Sony WH-1000XM5 is hands down the best sounding and most impressive noise-canceling headphones around. They demand a high premium but the cost of audio excellence is well worth it with this pair of headphones."

Ghost in the Shell 4K UHD Blu-ray for $14.49

Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell is still one of the most popular anime films of all time. Set in 2029 after World Wars III & IV, this film follows Motoko Kusanagi on her quest to locate a mysterious computer virus that poses a major threat to the world. You can pick this up on 4K UHD Blu-ray for $14.49 this weekend at Amazon.

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 Limited Edition Blu-ray for $40.50

The conclusion of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is almost here, with the final cour, The Calamity, set to premiere this July. While you wait, you can score the limited edition Blu-ray of Part 3, The Conflict, for just $40.50 today at Amazon. This set only released last month and features all 14 episodes of Part 3, plus a 72-page production booklet, the NYCC 2024 panel, creditless opening/endings, and more. Now is the time to catch up on Thousand-Year Blood War before it's too late!

Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

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Assassin’s Creed Hexe Game Director Benoit Richer Exits Ubisoft Just Months After Departure of Previous Creative Director

Ubisoft’s mysterious Assassin’s Creed Hexe project seems to be going through a rough patch, as game director Benoit Richer has announced his departure.

An update on the latest for the history-hopping stealth franchise came from a LinkedIn post published by the former Ubisoft Montreal developer. In his message, he stated that he left to join Quebec-based indie studio Servo Games as co-founder and game director.

This is the second major departure for the Assassin’s Creed game, which is in development with the Hexe codename, this year. The last saw creative director Clint Hocking exit the project in February, with Assassin’s Creed head of content Jean Guesdon filling the role in his place.

Richer first joined Ubisoft Montreal back in 2000 as a level designer for games like Rainbow Six Vegas 2 before leaving the company for the first time in 2008. He eventually found his way to WB Games Montreal in 2010, where he served as game director on Batman: Arkham Origins, before returning to Ubisoft Montreal in 2017 to work on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

It's unclear who may fill Richer's role at Ubisoft. IGN has reached out to Ubisoft for comment.

In terms of official information, we don’t know much about the Assassin’s Creed Hexe project outside of a single logo. It was announced in 2022 alongside Assassin’s Creed Infinity (now called Animus Hub) and what eventually became Assassin’s Creed Shadows, with franchise vice executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté saying at the time that it would be a “new flagship title” and “a very different type of Assassin’s Creed game.”

Assassin’s Creed Hexe currently has no release date. While we wait for Ubisoft to deliver more news, you can catch up on how to play the franchise in chronological order. You can also catch up on all of the latest on Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

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Alien: Isolation 2 Seemingly Teased in New Video Posted by Sega and Creative Assembly

Publisher Sega and developer Creative Assembly have revealed what appears to be a teaser trailer for Alien: Isolation 2.

A mysterious video titled "A False Sense of Security" was posted by the franchise’s official YouTube account today, April 26, which also happens to be Alien Day. It’s little more than an atmospheric teaser that features a rainy, outdoor location and a familiar emergency phone save station.

The teaser trailer doesn’t outright confirm that it is for the long-awaited Alien: Isolation 2, but given that Creative Assembly announced it was working on a follow-up back in late 2024, fans are already expecting an impending announcement. The only text included in the video’s description says, "A feeling of being safer than one really is."

pic.twitter.com/1FIsqfnWON

— Alien: Isolation (@AlienIsolation) April 26, 2026

Alien: Isolation originally released for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One all the way back in October 2014. It’s since been remembered as not only a classic entry in the world of Alien video games but a beloved horror game in general. That’s mostly thanks to the creepy, cramped hallways of the Sevastopol space station and the intelligent Xenomorph killer that lives there.

Despite earning a strong fan base in the decade following its release, Creative Assembly and Sega refrained from making an official announcement about a sequel until the 10th anniversary of its launch in 2024. Little information about Alien: Isolation 2 was shared at the time, with the team, which includes original creative director Al Hope, mostly telling players to expect more information "when it’s ready."

"Today, I'm delighted to confirm, on behalf of the team, that a sequel to Alien: Isolation is in early development," Creative Assembly said at the time. "We look forward to sharing more details with you when we're ready."

Sega has not confirmed platforms or a release date for Alien: Isolation 2 yet. While we wait for Sega and Creative Assembly to shine more light on their Alien Day teaser video, you can see where the original game landed on our list of the top 25 best horror games of all time. You can also see where it fell on our list of the top 10 licensed games based on movies.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

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The Best Deals Today: Bravia 8 OLED TV, 4K Blu-rays, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble, and More

A new weekend has arrived, and today, you can save big on Apple AirTags, 4K Movies, AirPods Pro 3, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2, the limited edition Marathon DualSense, and more. Check out our top picks for Sunday, April 19, below.

Refurbished Sony 4K OLED BRAVIA 8 TV for $1049.99

Woot has a great deal on this Sony 4K OLED BRAVIA 8 TV, with refurbished units available for $1049.99. Sony's Bravia line is well respected and usually more expensive, making this TV well worth a look if you're in the market for a new one. If you're aiming for the best picture quality and rich colors, you cannot do better than OLED, and these units are often still like new.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 4K UHD for $15.49

Kill Bill is one of Tarantino's most beloved films for a reason, with its massive revenge story spanning over two films and four and a half hours. Today, you can take home Kill Bill: Vol. 1 on 4K UHD Blu-ray for $15.49, and I'm even seeing a further discount via coupon for $11.61.

Nintendo Switch 2 - Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 Bundle

The limited time Nintendo Switch 2 - Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 Bundle is live now, and you can save $20 off a copy of Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 for a limited time. If you've yet to pick up a Switch 2 console, now is a great time, especially with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book set to launch next month.

Splatoon Raiders Up for Pre-Order

Splatoon Raiders is officially due out this July, and pre-orders have now opened for the series' first single-player-focused game! In addition to physical Nintendo Switch 2 copies, three new Splatoon Raiders amiibo of Frye, Shiver, and Big Man are also set to release on July 23.

Apple AirTag 4-Pack for $56.99

Apple AirTags are one of the best purchases you can make as an iPhone user. After pairing it once, you can instantly throw an AirTag almost anywhere, including a wallet, purse, backpack, suitcase, or even a Nintendo Switch 2 case. You can save over $40 today at Woot on a 4-pack.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble for $15

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble was a great return to form for the series, and if you've yet to check this one out, you can score a copy for $15 today at Amazon. There are over 200 brand new stages to discover, 300 customization items, and plenty more to check out in this one.

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones for $249.99

Amazon has the incredible Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones on sale today for $249.99. In our 9/10 review, we wrote, "The Sony WH-1000XM5 is hands down the best sounding and most impressive noise-canceling headphones around. They demand a high premium but the cost of audio excellence is well worth it with this pair of headphones."

Ghost in the Shell 4K UHD Blu-ray for $14.49

Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell is still one of the most popular anime films of all time. Set in 2029 after World Wars III & IV, this film follows Motoko Kusanagi on her quest to locate a mysterious computer virus that poses a major threat to the world. You can pick this up on 4K UHD Blu-ray for $14.49 this weekend at Amazon.

Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

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