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Right now, the world’s biggest gaming convention, Gamescom, is underway in Cologne, Germany, bringing a wave of exciting reveals and announcements. From a first look at The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered to an extended gameplay trailer for Gears of War: E-Day, there’s plenty for gamers to be excited about.
But since most of these aren't playable yet, we're here to recommend the best content to keep you entertained until these games release. Keep reading to discover the best TV shows based on video games, the books your favorite games borrowed from, and the most anticipated video game movies on the horizon.
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The Top 10 TV Shows Based on Video Games
From fungal outbreaks to nuclear wastelands, these are the ten shows that took video game source material and actually did it justice.
The Witcher
Mutated monster-hunter Geralt of Rivia struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove to be more wicked than beasts. In honor of the upcoming The Witcher 3 remaster that was just announced at Gamescom, we had to take this moment to encourage you to watch the show! It’s definitely binge-worthy.
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Check In: Hotel 1620 | Plymouth, MA
Plymouth's most storied address is also its most convenient one. Hotel 1620—named for the year the Mayflower arrived—sits across the street from Plymouth Harbor, where whale watching, deep sea fishing, and scenic cruises all depart from. The 177-room hotel has harborview rooms, an indoor pool, and a water play area for families. Plus, Plymouth Rock, Pilgrim Hall Museum, and Plimoth Patuxent are all within a few miles. See more.
The Books Behind Your Favorite Video Games
Here are 10 books you didn't know were the inspiration behind some of the most iconic video games.
Roadside Picnic
by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
Red Schuhart risks his life sneaking into the Zone, a quarantined stretch of Earth where alien visitors left behind objects nobody can explain, including one rumored to grant wishes. This landmark 1972 sci-fi novel was later adapted into Andrei Tarkovsky's movie Stalker, and its fingerprints are all over the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game franchise.
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Download 📺: A Room with a View | Pack 📚: Still Life
Check In: Hotel Lungarno | Florence, Italy
On the banks of the Arno River beside the world-famous Ponte Vecchio sits Hotel Lungarno, a stunning riverside retreat. The 62 rooms combine Tuscan craftsmanship with a significant art collection—including suites named after Picasso, Cocteau, and Bueno, whose works hang throughout the hotel. Downstairs, Borgo San Jacopo serves Italian haute cuisine and Picteau Bistrot & Bar sits so close to the river, you'll feel like you're floating on it. See more.
The Most Anticipated Video Game Movies
For years, video game movies were a joke. There were plenty of misfires (Super Mario Bros., Street Fighter, Max Payne) before Hollywood started taking these IPs seriously. Here are the most exciting upcoming movies based on beloved video games.
Resident Evil
In theaters September 18
Bryan (Austin Abrams) is a medical courier delivering a package to a remote hospital, until he gets caught in the middle of an outbreak and must fight through hordes of creatures to survive. Coming from the mind of Zach Cregger, (Weapons, Barbarian) fans have a lot of faith that this reboot will make people forget the disastrous 2002 movie ever existed.
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Download 📺: Hightown | Pack 📚: The Paper Palace
Check In: Harbor Hotel Provincetown | Provincetown, MA
Harbor Hotel Provincetown sits on the quieter side of P-town, Cape Cod's most vibrant beach town. The 118-room retro-chic retreat has bay-view accommodations, a heated outdoor pool, fire pit, and lawn games. Plus, every Tuesday guests can enjoy a family-friendly film under the stars at “Dive In Movies”! Watch poolside or from a floaty with a burger or frozen drink from The Cabana Bar. See more.
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