Hey you! Welcome. This is the Weekly News Round-Up for April 20 - 26. If you are unfamiliar with what I do here, let me break it down for you. I go around a few different video game websites, steal some of their news, post it here as a "round-up" and then make snarky comments about the news. Though I do ultimately post the news, don't get offended by anything I say here because I make fun of everything... even stuff I love.
Let's Start This Off Right -- Suikoden 2 Coming To PSN?
http://kotaku.com/holy-crap-looks-like-suikoden-ii-is-finally-coming-to-1565978567
The ESRB has rated Suikoden 2, which is a good indication that it will hit the PSN eventually. Not a moment too soon, because last I heard, prices for a legit copy were at least five million dollars and wars have been raged over it.
Hopefully this does mean that people will be able to buy it for a reasonable price yet again.
And Then Let's Second Start This Off Right -- The Gameboy Turned 25 This Week
http://www.destructoid.com/happy-25th-anniversary-game-boy--273570.phtml#ext
On April 21st, the Gameboy became 25. This was before iPhones and Androids (except in Blade Runner), and we had to carry around this pretty bulky piece of brilliance in order to play our games that didn't even have a full palette of colours. Back then, things were simple, and it is that I say... happy belated birthday Gameboy.
Some Deals On PSN Have Started, And They Go Until April 29
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-plus-brings-pixeljunk-monsters-to-vita-for-free-this-week/1100-6419112/
On Vita you can get Pixeljunk Monsters for free. Here are some other deals:
- Batman: Arkham Asylum - $12.59 (regular price: $13.99)
- Batman: Arkham Origins (PS3) - $25.19 (regular price $27.99)
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (Vita) - $12.59 (regular price: $13.99)
- Cel Damage HD (PS4/PS3/Vita) - $8.99 (regular price: $9.99)
- Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition (PS4/PS3) - $25.19 (regular price: $27.99)
- Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition (Vita) - $12.59 (regular price: $13.99)
- Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (PS3/Vita) - $12.59 (regular price: $13.99)
- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - $12.59 (regular price: $13.99)
- Octodad: Dadliest Catch - $11.99 (regular price: $14.99)
Naughty Dog News!
The Last Of Us Lead Artist Quits
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-last-of-us-lead-artist-quits-naughty-dog/1100-6419110/
Nate Wells left Naughty Dog and went to Giant Sparrow, who worked on The Unfinished Swan. Since both studios are based in Santa Monica, Wells walked out the door at Naughty Dog, walked across the street to Giant Sparrow, and now he has grown wings and can fly, fly like a... sparrow.
Uncharted 4 Actor Recast After
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/uncharted-4-actor-recast-after-following-naughty-dog-writer-to-ea/1100-6419118/
Todd Stashwick's role was recast, and he didn't really know why. What does this all mean? I don't know, who do you think I am, an insider? All I know is that a lot of people come and go, and things seem to change a lot, at Naughty Dog.
Uncharted 4 Gameplay May Be Revealed At E3
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-uncharted-4-gameplay-may-be-revealed-at-e3-what-do-you-hope-to-see/1100-6419126/
It is very possible that Uncharted 4 will be shown off at E3. Tidux tweeted that the game has been in the works for three years and that we will see it at E3. So I'm guessing we're going to see it at E3, but I have a screenshot of it:
Resident Evil 6 For Xbox 360 Dropped To $8.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-6-for-xbox-360-drops-to-8/1100-6419111/
Sony systems and the ol' PC haven't seen big price drops like this, so if you haven't played Resident Evil, the Xbox 360 version is the way to go at this point.
Sony Trademarks A Couple Names
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ahead-of-e3-ps4-company-sony-trademarks-kill-strain-and-entwined/1100-6419108
Sony has trademarked two names, Entwined and Kill Strain. There is no information on the games so far, but Kill Strain kinda has a cool name. I think. Or it's just incredibly cheesy, I'll come back later and let you know which it is.
Not To Be Outdone, Microsoft Trademarks... Eden Falls
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-studio-microsoft-trademarks-a-new-game-called-eden-falls/1100-6419109/
Microsoft has trademarked a name as well, Eden Falls. It's a game about Eden falling down the steps. Not really, but nowadays we have a game where a goat ragdolls around town hitting everything so imagine the fun we could have throwing Eden down the steps? And since Eden is both a guy and a girls name, there is no sexism in this joke so nobody can get mad!
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| Although I went with the gif of the little girl going down the steps... oops. |
People Want Grand Theft Auto 5 On PC?
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-5-pc-petition-approaching-700-000-signatures-it-s-been-216-days-since-the-console-version-arrived/1100-6419106/
Sega On Sonic Boom, Split-Screen Gameplay And CryEngine 3
http://www.destructoid.com/sega-opens-up-about-cryengine-3-on-wii-u-split-screen-for-sonic-boom-273539.phtml
Sega has decided on CryEngine 3 for Sonic Boom, the unfortunately named new Sonic game. The Wii U version will in fact have split-screen gameplay, and since this isn't a standard thing with the engine, they are working really close with Crytek to make this happen.
No, Kill Strain Is A Silly Name
http://onthegamely.blogspot.com/2014/04/weekly-news-round-up-april-20-26-happy.html
It has been confirmed.
New Grid Announced, Not Coming To Xbox One Or PS4
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-authentic-grid-announced-here-s-why-it-s-not-coming-to-xbox-one-or-ps4/1100-6419124/
Grid Autosport is a thing now, but it's only coming to PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Why is that you ask? Well I'll look into my crystal ball and tell you why, because the answer certainly isn't there in the link above.
Basically, they don't want to rush the game to next-gen and they feel like after Grid 2 they have something to prove. They want to give old-gen their all while they work on tech for next-gen. It's not an unreasonable explanation, but I can't wait until old-gen dies so I can finally play games on a system that I paid hundreds of dollars for on day one.
No More Banjo-Kazooie Anytime Soon
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/banjo-kazooie-spiritual-successor-falls-apart/1100-6419122/
Despite a character being drawn up and there being a "demo level type thing," the game has fallen apart because we gain one entry into the world -- Grid Autosport -- but lose another... multi-tasking. But seriously, people had other jobs to do so Banjo-Kazooie probably won't see a new game for a while.
Banjo-Kapooie.
New Fatal Frame For Wii U?
http://www.destructoid.com/new-fatal-frame-materializing-on-wii-u-273595.phtml
There appears to be a new Fatal Frame coming to Wii U. Before you get too excited, if you only speak English, then there is a good chance that they just don't bother localizing it because Nintendo gonna Nintendo. Here's hoping, though, because lord knows the Wii U needs games.
Fireside Gatherings And Leaving Your House
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-wants-you-to-leave-your-house-and-hang-out-with-real-people/1100-6419138/
Blizzard has a new initiative for Hearthstone called Fireside Gatherings that encourages you to leave your house and meet other players in exchange for benefits (nah not friends with benefits but I wish). So Blizzard wants me to go... outside?
Blizzcon Is Happening On November 7 and 8
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzcon-2014-dated-for-november-7-8-get-your-tickets-next-month-for-200/1100-6419139/
On May 7 and 10 you can throw $200 their way and get tickets. If you spend $750 you can have a pre-Blizzcon dinner for the Children's Hospital of Orange County.
Want SNES And GBA Remix To Happen? Demand It!
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/snes-and-gba-remix-could-happen-but-will-require-fan-demand/1100-6419165/
NES Remix 2 came out this week, and there's a possibility that Nintendo will make SNES and GBA Remix, if people demand it enough.
Koiichi Hayshida told IGN, "If we get a big enough cry for that, with a lot of people saying, 'Hey, we'd love to see more of these perhaps for the SNES, Game Boy, or Game Boy Advance,' then it would be something we can take a look at."
Because if there's anything Nintendo does well, it's listen to what the fans want.
Bungie Revamps Their Site For Destiny And Puts A Bunch Of Information About The Game On It Now
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-website-updated-with-new-information-about-classes-enemies/1100-6419155/
So Bungie revamped the Destiny website, and they put information on it such as introduction videos for the classes, information on the places you'll visit and the enemies you will blast. Make sure to check it out.
Ubisoft Teases A New Prince of Persia?
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ahead-of-e3-ubisoft-teases-new-prince-of-persia-game/1100-6419153/
Drew James tweeted this picture, that clearly teases a new Prince of Persia. But that question mark is mysterious, ain't it? What's the next installment in the series going to be like? I think it's going to be about The Riddler.
The Monetization Of H1Z1
http://www.destructoid.com/soe-talks-early-monetization-plans-for-its-zombie-survival-mmo-h1z1-273688.phtml
Since H1Z1 is free-to-play, they dropped dime on a few possible ways that they're going to make money off of us:
- Wearables will be sold, but players can "find and craft a lot of stuff." If someone kills and loots another player's gear, they'll be able to wear it for a few deaths. "Station Cash wearables won't degrade at all."
- Guns, ammo, food, water, and boosts impacting these won't be sold.
- Extra emotes beyond "the basics," which will be free.
- Character slots.
- Crates containing "random cool stuff from the store" can be found in H1Z1. "We're considering letting you see what's in them before you buy a key (ala Dota 2.). This idea isn't fully locked yet."
It's really not a big deal. Free-to-play doesn't have to be a bad thing, and as of right now, there is nothing major here or anything that screams pay-to-win.
Pre-Order Bonuses For The Witcher 3 If You Buy It Off Of GOG? "Fucking Amazing"
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/preorder-bonuses-for-the-witcher-3-at-gog-will-be-f-ing-amazing/1100-6419142/
Borderlands For PS3 Is Going Offline On May 31, So Are Some Other Games
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-ps3-going-offline-next-month/1100-6419135/
They're looking into a feasible option to replace Gamespy for Borderlands, but if you only own it on PS3 you won't be able to play it online for a while. Here are the other games affected by the shutdown:
Anything but NBA 2K10 for the Wii!
- Borderlands (PS3)*
- Civilization Revolution (PS3)*
- Close Combat First to Fight (PC / Mac)
- Jetfighter (PC)
- Jetfighter V: Homeland Protector (PC)
- Leadfoot (PC)
- Rune (PC)
- Stronghold 2 (PC)
- Stronghold Legends (PC)
- Top Spin (PS2 / PC)
- Top Spin 2 (PC / DS)
- Vietcong (PC)
- Vietcong Demo (PC)
- Vietcong Fist Alpha (PC)
- Vietcong 2 (PC)
- Vietcong 2 Demo (PC)
- MLB Fantasy All-Stars (DS)
- Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution (DS)
- Major League Baseball 2K9 Fantasy All-Stars (DS)
- NHL 2K10 (Wii)
- NBA 2K10 (Wii) (OH GOD NO!)
Namco Bandai Announced "Rise Of Incarnates"
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/tekken-soulcalibur-creator-reveals-new-pc-fighting-game-rise-of-incarnates/1100-6419131/
The game launches in the second half of 2014, and players will be able to craft their own playstyles, have 2v2 games and fight in places where there are real-world backgrounds. Should be fun, let's do this.
Dragon Age: Inquisition Is Coming October 7
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-age-inquisition-digital-deluxe-includes-soundtrack-mounts/1100-6419141/
The next installment in Dragon Age comes out October 7, and there is also a deluxe edition that costs $10 more that nabs you the soundtrack and "digital goodies."
Here's A 9 Minute Video Explaining The Watch Dogs Multiplayer
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/watch-dogs-multiplayer-explained-in-9-minute-developer-walkthrough-video/1100-6419161/
In the link above there is a video that showcases what the multiplayer consists of. It's pretty ambitious and awesome, to say the least. In the video, they explain three different modes. Make sure to check the video out because up until now, Ubisoft hadn't really said anything about the multiplayer.
The Playstation 4 Will Get The Xbox MGS5: Ground Zeroes Mission And Vice Versa
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mgs-5-ground-zeroes-playstation-mission-will-be-coming-to-xbox-xbox-mission-coming-to-playstation/1100-6419174/
Looking for more gameplay from Ground Zeroes? Playstation 4 will be getting the Xbox Ground Zeroes mission and Xbox will be getting the Playstation Ground Zeroes mission... all of this insanity is taking place May 1 and it will be free.
This is great news, now Ground Zeroes will be thirty minutes long.
China Bans Games That Feature Drugs, Violence, Gambling Or Obscenity
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/china-reveals-censorship-rules-for-console-games-nothing-that-promotes-drug-use-or-violence-will-be-allowed/1100-6419151/
China revealed their censorship rules, and it's a doozy. They won't allow any games that have drug usage, violence, gambling or obscenity, which effectively eliminates 98% of all games.
But Don't Worry, Because There Was A Study
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/majority-of-parents-say-video-games-are-a-positive-part-of-their-child-s-life/1100-6419186/
The Entertainment Software Association released the latest installment of "Essential Facts," and people love video games!
Quoted from Gamespot:
Who Is Playing?:
- 59 percent of Americans play games.
- 181.3 million Americans play games.
- Average gamer age is 31.
- 51 percent of Americans own a dedicated game console, and those that do own an average of two.
- 52 percent of U.S. gamers are male, and 48 percent are female.
- Women aged 18 or over make up a much larger percentage of the gamer population (36 percent) than boys 18 or younger (17 percent).
- The average number of years gamers have been playing video games is 14.
Who Is Buying?:
- Average age of the most frequent game purchaser is 35.
- Of the most frequent game purchasers, 50 percent are male and 50 percent are female.
- 44 percent of gamers said video games give them the most value for their money, compared to DVDs, music, or going out to the movies.
At Play:
- 88 percent of parents whose children play games believe the ESRB rating system is either very or somewhat helpful in choosing games for their children.
- 85 percent of parents are aware of the ESRB system.
- 87 percent of parents believe that the parental controls available in video game consoles are useful. In addition, parents impose time usage limits on video games more than any other form of entertainment. 83 percent for games, 80 percent of Internet usage, 76 percent TV viewing, and 70 percent movie viewing.
- Of the games rated by the ESRB in 2013, 46 percent were rated E, 19 percent were rated E10+, 23 percent were rated T, and 12 percent were rated M.
- 91 percent of parents whose children play video games are present when games are purchased or rented.
- 82 percent of children ask for their parents' permission before purchasing or renting a game.
- 95 percent of parents say they pay attention to the content of the games their children play.
- 56 percent of parents say video games are a positive part of their child's life.
Bottom Line:
- The "action" category was the best-selling console video game genre in 2013, making up 31.9 percent of all games sold last year. The next closest category was the "shooter" category at 20 percent.
- For PC, strategy games took the lion's share, with 38.4 percent of all sales. The next closest category was "casual" at 28.3 percent.
- The best-selling console game of 2013 was Grand Theft Auto V, followed by Call of Duty: Ghosts.
- On PC, StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm was the best-seller, followed by SimCity.
- In all, gamers spent $21.53 billion on all video game content in 2013.
Minecraft For PS4 And Vita Coming Soon
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-ps4-and-vita-expected-by-september/1100-6419199/
Continuing their pursuit to conquer the entire world with awkward, low-res Legos, Mojang have announced that the PS4 and Vita versions of their hit game Minecraft -- maybe you've heard of it? -- will hit between now and September. The PS3 version will be hitting May 16, and when asked about whether you have to pay for the PS4 version if you got the PS3 version, they said, We’re in the process of finalising cross-buy/upgrade/DLC things. More news soon."
You will also be able to use your Xbox 360 saves for the Xbone version.
Bear Simulator Got A Bunch Of Money
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/people-donated-100-571-to-pay-for-a-game-about-being-a-bear/1100-6419158/
Humans are simple beasts, but bears are awesome beasts. People donated $100,571 to the cause and now Bear Simulator will be better. The developer describes it as a mini-Skyrim, but as a bear. Did I mention that you play as a bear?
XCOM: Enemy Unknown Is Now On Android
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xcom-enemy-unknown-arrives-on-android/1100-6419200/
You can pick up the Android version of the excellent game, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, now for $9.99. More reasons not to do anything at work, like you needed any you lazy person, you.
A Wild Newly Registered Domain For Just Cause 3 Has Appeared
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/just-cause-3-news-may-be-incoming-as-new-domain-name-discovered/1100-6419196/
Are you looking forward to a new Just Cause? This doesn't mean that there will be a new one for sure, but a domain name was registered for Just Cause 3. When reached for comment by yours truly about why they did this, the developers of the series simply answered, "Just cause."
Okay they didn't, and that was a terrible joke. Can you believe I get paid to do this?
I don't. I don't get paid.
Here's An Image Of The New TITANFALL Map, War Games
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/titanfall-s-first-dlc-map-shown-off-in-new-images/1100-6419190/
The Expedition DLC is coming next month, and Respawn have shown us an image of the new map, which is described as a "parkour playground." Looks different than any playground I ever played on.
But my question is, where's the next-gen zipline?
Koch Media Is Publishing A Boxed Version Of Goat Simulator In The UK
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/saints-row-publisher-will-release-goat-simulator-as-a-boxed-product-in-the-uk/1100-6419188/
Koch Media owns Deep Silver, and they will surely own every gamers heart soon because they are publishing the massively entertaining game Goat Simulator in the UK! There are no prices or anything available, but we know there's a box and there's a goat. Somehow I'm not surprised by this news.
There's A Mario Kart 8 Bundle Coming In The UK
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-8-wii-u-bundles-confirmed-for-the-uk-but-what-about-the-us/1100-6419181/
It looks like the UK is getting a Mario Kart 8 bundle when it launches May 30.
There's no talk yet that this will come to North America. Here's what it entails, from Gamespot:
The special bundles will sell for £299.99 ($500) and come in Red Mario and Green Luigi varieties, both of which you can see in the image above. Both bundles include a 32GB system, a racing wheel, GamePad protector, Mario or Luigi hat, Wii Remote Plus, and a Mario Kart 8 game guide.
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| You won this round UK. |
Here Are The Free Playstation Plus Games For May
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-plus-free-games-of-may-for-ps4-ps3-and-vita-announced/1100-6419159/
PS3:
Puppeteer
Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 (US ONLY)
Skullgirls Encore (US ONLY)
Payday 2 (EU ONLY)
PS Vita:
Limbo (US ONLY)
Surge Deluxe (US ONLY)
Muramasa Rebirth (EU ONLY)
Stick it to the Man
Nice to see the PS4 getting a high-quality Triple-A title! Thank God we can finally play Limbo 32 years after it was released!
In all seriousness, some of these games are really sweet.
A Book About Eve Online Is Coming
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/read-all-about-eve-online-in-upcoming-book/1100-6419233/
If you're like me, you're interested in Eve Online but you may be too intimidated to actually play it. I enjoy hearing all the stories of war and politics, and now there is going to be a book that discusses the game from the moment it went online to now. It's sad that I'm probably more interested in reading about this fake world than I am the real world. The sadder thing is that you probably are too.
The book is going to be called A History of the Great Empires of Eve Online, and it has already reached its Kickstarter goal, with 29 days to go.
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| http://www.gamespot.com/articles/twitch-beats-out-espn-wwe-and-mlb-as-largest-live-streaming-site-in-the-us/1100-6419226/ |
Battlefield 4 Is Still... Not Working
http://www.destructoid.com/dice-just-wanted-to-let-you-know-that-battlefield-4-is-still-broken-273786.phtml
Seriously EA/DICE, just get this right. The game has been out for months and has seen multiple DLCs and it still doesn't work? I hope it works by the time Battlefield 5 comes out. That would be grand.
Let's End This On A Doozy -- Mad Max Is Delayed Until 2015
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/04/25/mad-max-delayed-to-2015?
I'm not sure if anybody actually cares, but I sure don't. Regardless, the game adaption of the classic movie series isn't seeing the light of day until 2015... unless the world ends.
That's this end for another week, guys, gals and Tralfamadorians. Hope this didn't pain you too much, and we will see you next week, unless you'd like to tweet me on that Twitter thing @ArtBathednCrime. Or you know, check out the blog on other days besides Saturdays.
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