Warner Bros Might Have Changed The Game For Better Or For Worse. Also Bioware News.

So I woke up the other day to not one big story, but two. Let's take it one at a time and we will start with the first big announcement. Warner Bros just announced, that in a big dick move, they are releasing 17 movies that were slated to be released in 2020 and 2021, onto HBO Max the same day they are releasing them in theaters. This includes some BIG names to be released from Wonder Woman 1984 to Godzilla VS Kong to even Dune.

So what's the catch?

Well as far as any has reported, the biggest catch seems to be that they are only on the service for 31 days, before being phased out and off the service until it releases probably in physical form a few months later.

An interesting twist for sure.

Now WB has come out and said this is in response to Covid19, knowing full well that once the clock strikes on 2021, it isn't just packing it's bags and leaving.

But what makes this move so interesting is that it is doing something I think almost everyone wanted in providing some sort of "choice". I'm a big proponent against having JUST digital services, I always will be. One, not everyone has internet here in the US. Some 40 MILLION people either have no access, or very LIMITED access to internet services/providers. There are some places in the middle of bumfuck, this isn't too surprising. Even a lot of people that live in cities like mine, we don't even have the infrastructure for gigabit internet. I kid you not. In 2020, we don't even have it set up. Second, I just love having Steelbook and other physical media from "Collector's" editions. From statues, "the artwork of", and other goodies that I like to plant around my room, office area, and throughout my house of things I have loved/adored throughout my years. Lastly, I love to let friends borrow and play my games and movies. I've been fortunate for many years to build up quite a collection of games, movies, and TV shows in physical media form. I've let several friends and family members borrow my stuff when they just want something to watch or play, but are saving their last 60 bucks for food for the week. I get it, I've been there. Hell, even now there are weeks like that for me. So I get it.

So for me, an all digital age is something I loathe happening.

However, I can see how it can be beneficial, depending on the studios working with theaters, maybe cutting back on their "cut" of the movie ticket sales. What do I mean? Well theaters and the "Hollywood" studios that make the movies, tend to negotiate prices when it comes to showing movies in said theaters. Let's say for posterity, but I have no way of knowing what it is at this time, it's 40% of every ticket sold goes to the studios. Now, if studios could see how much they are making with "direct to pocket" sales with these subscription sales, then maybe they could cut a deal with theaters to cut the fee/cost in half, maybe more, to keep that business afloat? Why bother you might ask? Because theaters can still be an experience. Some movies deserve that big screen treatment.

You remember Endgame? It was kind of a big movie last year. Would it have been the same experience watching some of those scenes that made the whole movie "whoop" with joy? Or gasp in shock? If you were at home on your couch, munching on popcorn in your underwear?

No.

But on the flip side too, it also allows people that are still going to do that AT the theater, as well as watch with their kids, or vape, or talk loudly into their phones, to do all those things WITH a pause button to do it at home.

That's big for sure.

So overall, I think it COULD be a positive thing to come about, but once again, it's dependent on the studios to make sure that they play ball. Now it's only for a year, but if it proves to be lucrative in getting HBO Max subs, it could shape into the norm.

Also, I want theaters to start having drive-ins again, because I miss that shit. The last time I went to a drive-in, I was like 11 on vacation, watching Shrek on the big screen. I'd love to see something new at one again.

Any ways, on to the next topic!

So big news came out of BioWare suddenly out of nowhere, the day before "Dragon Age Day" and it was a doozy and not in a good way. Turns out the GM and man himself, Casey Hudson, who came back to BioWare after the disaster that was Mass Effect: Andromeda, and Executive Producer Mark Darrah, the man who kind of salvaged whatever the Hell Anthem were leaving the company. Why is kind of the big question on everyone's mind as Dragon Age 4 is deep into it's development. It looks bad and even with no concrete date set in stone yet for DA4. The reality is, except for the Remaster of the original trilogy (which, let's be honest, doesn't have a release date either) there isn't anything really coming down the pipeline for BioWare as Anthem 2.0 is in a weird limbo with a team of like 30 people on it, the next Mass Effect is in like preproduction/planning stages as far as we can tell, and DA4 is either still on schedule or going to be pushed back massively much like the weird game musical chairs going on over at 343 Studios and it's up and coming Halo: Infinite. The reality is, we won't know until we get some weird, eye opening report from Jason Schreier I'm sure.

But with the news landing right before DA day, it's just...strange. EA needs not just blockbusters, but they need some damn good games and fairly soon. You can only trout out that Jedi Fallen Order was good and Squadrons was fairly solid for so long when every sports game shit out is awful. This, coupled with the company fighting several countries over the legality of lootboxes has combined 2020 into the weirdest year full of ups and downs for all of us.

So with that, I'll end this little update. I meant to get it out a couple of days ago, but you know me, better late then never! Stay tuned for whatever comes next either here, or my YouTube page, and you want to know about either, make sure to follow me on Facebook or on Twitter and you'll get updates there! Until next time, I'll see you all then.