This unofficial X-Men web series is a retro gaming throwback

By Mike Epstein Updated January 7, 2016

X-men: Danger Room Protocols - Intro

Have you ever wished that TV cartoons looked like old video games? If so, you should check out Vancouver-based video game animator Joel Furtado’s upcoming web series, X-Men: Danger Room Chronicles. It’s an unofficial collection of animated shorts designed in the style of an old X-Men video game.

In the X-Men universe, the Danger Room is the X-Men’s training facility, which combines robotic obstacles and virtual reality to simulate real world… Well, dangers. Danger Room Chronicles uses the premise to set up a series of one-off adventures using different pairs of heroes. The first episode, for example, will feature Jean Grey and Wolverine getting trapped in a simulation and fighting off enemies until they figure out how to escape.

Watching the opening credits above, fans might recognize some artistic flourishes from the X-Men video games from the 1990’s, specifically the Sega Genesis and Game Gear games called X-Men. Those touches, from casting to animation, combined with the pseudo 16-bit art, give off the distinct impression that you’re watching a cutscene from another dimension where the Sega Genesis could actually handle such a thing.

Unfortunately, Furtado may have chosen a bad time to release an unlicensed X-Men story. In addition to the upcoming film X-Men: Apocalypse, two live-action series set in the X-Men universe have been recently announced. Though the series title sequence includes a disclaimer stating Furtado has no affiliation with Marvel or Fox, which owns the film and television rights to the X-Men universe, these upcoming, licensed projects give them more reason than usual to enforce their trademarks and shut the series down.

That should not, however, prevent you from checking out the series. If you like the sound of it, Furtado has asked fans to support his work by donating to his Patreon campaign. The first episode of X-Men: Danger Room Chronicles hits YouTube January 19.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Michael is a New York-based tech and culture reporter, and a graduate of Northwestwern University’s Medill School of…

Gaming

How to revive dead companions in Baldur’s Gate 3

Withers offering services to the player in Baldur's Gate 3.

You're given a good bit of leeway during battles in Baldur's Gate 3 before you or a companion actually bites the dust for good. While in battle, if a teammate does take enough damage to drop, they aren't dead then and there. Instead, they will be downed with a chance to roll every turn to get back up. If they roll successfully three times, the battle ends, or you use another character to pick them up, they're good. If they fail that roll three times, however, they will be completely dead. That can be harsh when you've become attached to certain characters and want to further their stories, so you'll be looking for any way you can to bring them back. Thankfully you do have a few options for reviving companions in Baldur's Gate 3, but just like respeccing, they aren't so obvious.
Pay Withers to bring them back

Withers is a friendly undead you can find in a secret room in the Dank Crypt found inside the Overgrown Ruins. After finding and speaking to him in his sarcophagus, he will offer you various services, one of which is bringing back any dead companions. He won't do this out of the kindness of his heart (probably because it isn't beating) and will charge you a heavy fine of 200 gold to do so. Still, that's a small price to pay to bring back a beloved character. Once paid, that character will appear in your camp where they would normally be, so there's no need to go back to their corpse and find them.
Use a scroll of Revivfy or learn it

Gaming

Every video game delay that has happened in 2023 so far

The player skates toward the moon in Skate Story.

Few things feel as inevitable in the video game industry as delays. Ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, game delays have only become more and more common as developers find previously set timelines unrealistic and adjust their release plans accordingly. More than halfway through 2023, we've already seen some notable AAA games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Skull & Bones, and Pragmata delayed pretty heavily. Because video game release date delays are so common, it can be tough to keep track of every game that has had its launch date shifted in some way.
That's why, just as we did in 2021 and 2022, Digital Trends is rounding up every game delay that's announced throughout 2023. Here are the high-profile ones that have happened so far, listed chronologically by their new intended release dates.
The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR (March 16)

As Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is one of the best games for PlayStation VR, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, Supermassive Games' PlayStation VR2 successor, is a highly anticipated launch title for the upcoming VR headset. Unfortunately, it will no longer make PlayStation VR2's February 22 launch and will instead be released on March 16. On Twitter, a message from Supermassive Games says this delay will ensure that players "receive the most polished, terrifying experience possible" at release. The game was released on that date to mixed reviews.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (March 24)

Gaming

Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?

Three characters shoot at a boss in Remnant 2.

Aside from the focus on firearms and integrating some randomly generated environments, the Remnant series sets itself apart from other souls-like games mainly with its focus on co-op. Both titles encourage you to team up with two friends to fight your way through the mutated monsters that await. After so many years of progress in terms of multiplatform games incorporating full cross-platform support, you might assume Remnant 2 will follow suit and let you make a group with anyone regardless of what platform they're on. However, the truth may be a bit more disappointing. Before you make plans with your squad, here's what you need to know about Remnant 2's cross-platform support.
Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?

Unfortunately, Remnant 2 does not have cross-platform play between PS5, Xbox Series X or PC -- and there's no word about it being added in the future.