This week in gaming: Nov. 15
Gaming Industry
Former Sony Computer Entertainment Executive Talks About The Failed Nintendo Playstation
Denfaminicogamer, a Japanese publication, recently had an interview with Shigeo Maruyama, the former CEO of Sony Music, and the chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan during the 1990s. The interview reveals some previously unknown facts about the failed partnership with Nintendo to create the Nintendo Playstation. According to a translation summary, Maruyama was only interested in helping with the Super Nintendo and adding a CD-Drive, because he wanted consumers to be able to listen to CDs on their TVs, but Nintendo was very adamant about using cartridges, so both companies decided the Nintendo Playstation would utilize both components. Ken Kutaragi, who was in charge of making the sound chip for the console, stirred up some drama when Nintendo canceled the announcement of the console with no warning, causing Sony JP's CEO at the time to warily back out of the deal as well. Maruyama claims that Kutaragi helped push the two apart, resulting in Sony going off to create their own video game system. Linked below is the Japanese untranslated interview.
SOURCE
Vivendi Continues Push to Take Over Ubisoft
The slow conquest of Ubisoft by Vivendi doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon, as the larger company continues to acquire more shares of the French games publisher. Vivendi now owns 24% of Ubisoft, (Up from 22%) and 21.296% of voting rights. This isn't good news for Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemont, as businesses usually begin negotiations when a shareholder has 30+% ownership of a company's shares.
SOURCE
Assorted News
Pokemon Go Datamining Reveals Files for Gen 2 Pokemon
Despite having lost a chunk of its playerbase since the game's gigantic launch earlier this year, Pokemon Go still retains many players, and Niantic has been keeping up with frequent updates. The latest of which has been datamined to show that the game now has code for creatures from the second generation of Pokemon. The Pokedex from #152-251 is included into the .APK file of the game, and it's expected that Niantic will issue a huge update in order to fully implement these new additions sometime soon.
SOURCE
Watch_Dogs 2 Reveals Trailer for Unreleased Ubisoft Title
Within Ubisoft's latest release, Watch_Dogs 2, is a hidden trailer for a Sci-fi themed video game. Emblazoned upon the video is a "Ubisoft Confidential: E3 Conf_Video_v03 watermark, suggesting that this was to be an E3 trailer. Nothing else is known about this 50 second mystery teaser.
SEGA Japan is Looking to Potentially Revive Some of its Older Franchises
The Japanese branch of SEGA has put out a survey, asking fans which classic SEGA series they'd like to see get revived. Bigger titles like Sonic the Hedgehog, Persona, Hatsune Miku all are scattered about the list, despite having very recent releases, while other games like Phantasy Star, Sakura Wars, Panzer Dragoon, and more are available to choose from. The winners of the survey will be revealed on a 48 hour live stream called Segafesu.
SOURCE
Steam Store Gets Overhaul
The biggest source of digital PC games, Steam, has gotten a update to it's storefront. The revamp now makes it easier for people to navigate titles and add preferences to help buyers find game recommendations. There's also more search filters so that finding specific games is now more simple.
SOURCE
Klonoa is Getting a Movie
Klonoa is a late 90s video game icon, representing that special sense of hope and adventure we all collectively once had. We are honored to be entrusted by Bandai Namco with this franchise, and will work hard to do justice to the characters
SOURCE
Sony Lists Games That Will Be Getting PS4 Pro Patches
- Mafia III
- Mantis Burn Racing
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
- NBA 2K17
- Neon Chrome
- Paragon
- PlayStation VR Worlds
- Ratchet & Clank
- Rez Infinite
- Rigs Mechanized Combat League
- Rise of the Tomb Raider
SOURCE
A Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Game Might Release in 2017
While the Sega Genesis is 27 years old, that fact isn't stopping indie developer Big Evil Corporation from holding a crowdfunding campaign for their game called Tanglewood. According to the Kickstarter, the game will take inspiration from classic platformers such as Another World, Aladdin, and Lion King. Should it get funded, Tanglewood would release on all regions of the Sega Genesis, as as Windows, Mac, and Linux. There's even a beta that's playable.
SOURCE
Minecraft Gets a 1.11 Update
The ever popular Minecraft was recently updated to version 1.11, otherwise known as the Exploration Update. There's all sorts of new additions, including Ocean Monuments, Woodland Mansions, and Llamas! There's even a sort of backpack, in the form of the Shulker Box. You can see all the updates in the video linked above.
Dragon Ball Fusions Gets Release Date Bump in North America
SOURCE: GBAtemp Press Inbox
Left 4 Dead 2 Beta Campaign Released As Add-On
Turtle Rock Studios, the team behind the zombie-filled FPS game, Left 4 Dead 2, has released an unfinished campaign for the game, years after the game has been out. Titled "Dam It", the developers say that this would have bridged "Dead Air" and "Blood Harvest" in the official release, together. There's numerous issues with this unfinished map, though. If you're a fan of the game, or want to check it out, the add-on is available in the link below.
Releasing as an add-on means that our code changes are not included. Missing code means that the following features are not working:
- Fire, smoke and explosions do not trigger panic events in the hangars.
- Zombies do not crawl all the time in the orchard.
- Farm house mob does not spawn in the far side of the woods.
- Covered bridge does not collapse with explosions.
- Burned forest area is missing wandering fires.
SOURCE
Overwatch Getting Free Weekend from Nov. 18-21
The critically-acclaimed new game from Blizzard will be getting a free weekend starting on the 18th, in order to entice new players. If you haven't tried the game, this will be a good chance to see what all the fuss is about. The free weekend is available on PC, PS4, and XBO, with the latter two requiring Playstation Plus and Xbox Live Gold in order to play.
The free period will begin on November 18 at 11 a.m. PT (18:00 UTC) and end on November 21 at 4:00 p.m. PT (23:00 UTC) in all gameplay regions.
SOURCE
Ubisoft Offers Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon for Free
Ubisoft's 30th anniversary celebration continues, with Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon being added to the list of games that the company has given away on a monthly basis. There's no catch to this free offer, unless uPlay is a deal-breaker for you. Grab it at the link below!
SOURCE
Fan Projects
Modder Creates His Own Assassin's Creed Remaster
SOURCE
Modding Team Creates XCOM 2 Mutliplayer Mod
"Team Dragonpunk" has released a co-op mod for XCOM 2, which allows 2 players to complete missions together within the game. While the maximum amount of players only supports 2 at this time, the team is looking into getting the game's developer to approve their code for up to 12 player online co-op. According to the Steam page for the mod, it took Team Dragonpunk 10 months to create this!
SOURCE
Niche Game Annoucements
Square Enix Announces New Final Fantasy Mobile Game for Japan
Yet another Final Fantasy title is in development for iOS and Android. But this specific one might deserve some extra attention, as the director of Chrono Trigger, Takahashi Tokita, will be the lead director of this mobile game. He also mentions that the game, titled Final Fantasy Legends II, will "be a celebration of what makes up Final Fantasy".
SOURCE
Fighting Game, "Fantasy Strike" Announced for PS4
Developer Sirlin Games will be bringing their latest game, named Fantasy Strike, to Playstation 4. The creator of the game, David Sirlin, is a veteran in the fighting game scene, and was the lead designer on Street Fighter HD Remix. Sirlin claims that Fantasy Strike will be an easy-to-play game that will help bring fighting games to a more casual audience, while still being able to be played at competitive tournaments. The game will have one-button inputs for every attack, a super meter, and no crouching to defend. there's no set release date, but the game will be featured at Sony's Playstation Experience on December 3rd.
Classic Visual Novel "Desire" Getting an HD Remake
Weekly Famitsu has revealed that a Visual Novel titled Desire, will be getting a remake in the form of Desire: Remaster Edition. The game will be launching on PS Vita and PC on April 27th in Japan, and will be getting brand new scenes and upscaled artwork.
SOURCE
Birthdays: the Beginning Gets Release Date
Yasuhiro Wada, most known for creating the Bokujo Monogatari (Harvest Moon) franchise, has created a new game titled Birthdays: the Beginning, which is said to take a little inspiration from his past games. NIS America has announced that the game will be coming to the West on March 7 for North America, and March 10th for Europe.
Simply put: the happiness of creating, discovering, completing. I really want people to have a brand new experience [in Birthdays] that is unique from anything before this game. What's really important to me is creating a chemistry where people can experience the three things I mentioned above with a brand new game mechanic.
SOURCE
Trailers
Persona 5: Ryuji
The Last Guardian
Horizon Zero Dawn
Pokemon Sun and Moon Z Moves
The Last Guardian
Horizon Zero Dawn
Pokemon Sun and Moon Z Moves
Release Calendar
November 18
Killing Floor 2 (PC, PS4)Star Wars Battlefront Ultimate Edition (PS4, XBO)
Pokemon Sun and Moon (3DS)
Planet Coaster (PC)
November 19
Yesterday Origins (PC, PS4, XBO)November 22
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition (PC, PS4, XBO, Wii U)The Little Acre (PS4, XBO, PC)
Amnesia Collection (PS4)
Dragon Ball Fusions (3DS) [NA]
Morning Men (PC)
November 23
Pokemon Sun and Moon (3DS) [EU]November 25
Steins;Gate 0 (PS4, PSV) [EU]November 29
Steins;Gate 0 (PS4, PSV) [NA]Final Fantasy XV (PS4, XBO)
Watch_Dogs 2 (PC)
The Crew: Ultimate Edition (PC, PS4, XBO)