News:: Chucklefish's magic school sim now named WitchBrook

I liked the sound of Spellbound, but WitchBrook? Yeah, that'll probably stand out better for SEO purposes. Starbound and Wargroove developer Chucklefish has landed on that name for its upcoming wizard school simulation game. If you haven't been following this one, you really ought to start.

So, project Spellbound finally has a proper name... pic.twitter.com/4UwUy5rpH0

— Tiy (@Tiyuri) March 14, 2018

"The game revolves around your path through school, the relationships you build, and your mastery of the several schools of magic at your disposal," CEO Finn Brice told Red Bull. "Players should expect to build up their magical proficiency by undertaking school projects. This might have them growing magical crops and creatures in herbology or taking on the denizens of the forest in elemental magic. School life is just as important as magic however; a lot of time will be spent meeting and befriending the varied cast of characters, taking on quests, awkward attempts at dating and a host of side activities."

The comparisons to Stardew Valley are going to be unavoidable, but I think there's room in my heart for both of these (and many more cute, well-made slice-of-life sims). I'm all in for WitchBrook.

Tiyuri [Twitter]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/chucklefish-s-magic-school-sim-now-named-witchbrook-494322.phtml

News:: Anyone can make Facebook Instant Games

Facebook's Instant Games technology hasn't exactly taken off (there are less than 200 games to date), but that's because it's been in closed testing. Now, it might have a chance to grow: Facebook has opened the Instant Games platform to all developers. Anyone can build HTML5-based web games designed to run in Messenger or your News Feed, whether you're on desktop or mobile. They'll have ways of making money from and promoting games, too, including ads (sorry, folks) and cross-promotional links.

Source: Facebook for Developers

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/03/14/facebook-instant-games-tools-available-to-everyone/

News:: Zen Studios is promising an update for Pinball FX3 on Switch after all

After some back and forth, Zen Studios has promised that it will, in fact, tidy up the less-than-ideal Nintendo Switch version of Pinball FX3. A patch planned for this summer will bump the frame rate to 60 FPS in handheld mode and achieve 1080p in docked mode for "all 30+ tables in the library."

Previously, Zen had said it lacked the necessary "bandwidth" to handle this type of performance update, but clearly the fans have spoken and the team has since changed its priorities.

Leading up to the summer patch, the team will "still proudly stand by the current Switch iteration of Pinball FX3, which currently boasts a very respectable 83 Metacritic rating, and we will continue to release exceptional content in the months to come," according to VP of publishing Mel Kirk.

Pinball FX3 – Nintendo Switch Update [Zen Studios]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/zen-studios-is-promising-an-update-for-pinball-fx3-on-switch-after-all-494319.phtml

News:: AMC to host 31-hour Marvel movie marathon before Avengers: Infinity War

Have you ever been watching a Marvel film and thought, "Man, I wish I could watch 31 hours of this non-stop to see if my brain would still work afterwards." Well, AMC is conducting a new research study that will allow you to do just that. In an effort to find the very limits of our ability to binge watch something the theater will be screening all of Marvel's films back-to-back, culminating, we assume, in the premiere of Avengers: Infinity War. 

What does 31 hours of Marvel include? No TV, obviously, but that should be all 18 movies from the company, starting with Iron Man. AMC started doing this back in 2015 with the release of Age of Ultron, and even back then it seemed ridiculous, but now it's verging on some sort of Russian sleep-deprivation study. If you committed to doing this you'd be awake for more than a day, and sitting in a theater for nearly all of that. Of course, if it's like the previous marathon, then you'll be able to get up and leave, but leaving is for the weak and your family would be shamed for generations.

Tickets aren't on sale yet for the marathon, and it looks like AMC isn't giving up much info yet. We can assume the Marathon will start around 29 hours before the first screenings of Infinity War on April 27, but we don't know which theaters will host this deadly gauntlet of comic book action.

So, who is up for it? I mean take-days-off-work, drink-six-cans-of-Red-Bull, and wish-your-family-goodbye up for it?

AMC Will Host 30+ Hour MCU Marathon Ahead Of 'Avengers: Infinity War' Premiere [Comic Book]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/amc-to-host-31-hour-marvel-movie-marathon-before-avengers-infinity-war-494302.phtml

News:: Underrated as hell Runbow is coming to Switch soon

Runbow really did come out almost three years ago, huh?

Time flies when you're a Wii U game, but the party platformer did eventually make it to PC almost a year later, followed by the New 3DS and Xbox One. As of today, PS4 and Switch versions are confirmed for April 24 (followed by a Deluxe Edition with physical bonuses on June 14).

For those of you who haven't played it Runbow involves running, jumping, and combat across a variety of different modes with nine players in tow locally. On PS4 that number will be shortened to four, Switch will support eight out of the box, and both can support nine online.

If you're a platforming fiend seek out someone who owns it and try the Bowhemoth challenge mode!

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/underrated-as-hell-runbow-is-coming-to-switch-soon-494284.phtml

News:: The 300 Week 10: The Miami Connection

Hello, friendos, and welcome back to The 300, a recurring feature on my harebrained attempt to see 300 movies in theaters in the year 2018. I’ll be watching new releases, classics, hidden gems, and festival films to experience the wide world of cinema in all its forms. Hopefully there’s something here for you to enjoy as well.

As always, there are three rules for The 300:

• The movie must be at least 40 minutes long, meeting the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ definition of a feature film.
• I must watch the movie at a movie theater, screening room, or outdoor screening venue.
• While I can watch movies I’ve seen before 2018, I cannot count repeated viewings of the same film in 2018 multiple times.

This is probably going to be the slowest week of The 300 for the entire year. I only saw two movies in theaters last week because I was in Miami for a friend’s wedding and had plans the day I left New York and the night I got back into town. It’s much easier to sit down and stream something than head to the theater, especially when there’s so much other stuff going on in your life. If anything, The 300 has given me a much deeper appreciation of how I spend my time, how I could be spending it, and why I choose to do the things I do.

While this may seem like I’m falling behind, I’ll be more than caught up in the next few weeks. For one, I’ll be checking out a few movies at The Inaugural Dr. Saul and Dorothy Kit Film Noir Festival, running from March 21 to 25 near Columbia University. And from April 18 to 29, I’ll be covering the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival with fellow Flixist writer Jesse Lab. Both should get me back way ahead of schedule.

And so, onward.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/the-300-week-10-the-miami-connection-494289.phtml

News:: Devil May Cry HD keeps the spirit of the best action game, Devil May Cry 3, alive this week

Devil May Cry is hallowed ground. It's not just a silly camp story of a Devil Hunter that's cameoed in so many games that he spawned a meme, it's an act of refinement of the action series as a whole; one that hasn't really been challenged until Bayonetta moved into the block.

A large part of that legacy includes Devil May Cry 3, with its on the fly weapon switch, smooth combos, killer bosses, and tough standard difficulty (which was soon bumped up to hard in later renditions). It's still one of the best, if not the best action romps around, which is why I'm glad that more people are going to be introduced to it by way of the Devil May Cry HD Collection, which just dropped this week on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Obvious jokes aside that Devil May Cry 2 doesn't exist (in case you're out of the loop, it's the black sheep of the family, but still included in this HD trilogy), the first also holds up, partially due to the commitment of 60FPS gameplay, something it heralded with its peers so long ago.

Yeah, I could go for playing Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 3 all over again.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/devil-may-cry-hd-keeps-the-spirit-of-the-best-action-game-devil-may-cry-3-alive-this-week-494240.phtml

News:: Extinction's story trailer has me ready to mess some monsters up

Iron Galaxy and Modus Games' Extinction is full of giant monsters. They're an ugly bunch, all crooked teeth and dark green skin, seemingly angry and ready to crush a few buildings without any effort. The beasts are a constant, deadly threat; every one of them seems mighty pissed and eager to kill some humans.

But despite the size difference, some of Extinction's humans are prepared to fight back. In the game's latest trailer, we get to see why: They're sick of getting stomped on all the time.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/extinction-s-story-trailer-has-me-ready-to-mess-some-monsters-up-494275.phtml

News:: The Metal Gear symphony orchestra is coming to the US for two shows this year

Metal Gear lovers may have the unique opportunity to see their beloved series in a new way. For the first time ever, the Metal Gear orchestral concert is touring outside of Japan. The problem is that the dates and cities are extremely limited.

Later this year, the Metal Gear symphony orchestra will play in the United States. It's in Los Angeles on October 10, and in New York City on October 13. There's also a single European date when it moves to Paris on October 28.

This show involves 70-some string musicians playing to Metal Gear visuals as Donna Brooke sings classic series songs. This may be the first chance for a lot of folks to see the Metal Gear version, but other video game symphony orchestras have toured for years -- like the Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses for example.

Given how limited the dates are, these tickets will surely be a hot commodity. Here's all the information from the press release about where and when you can pre-order tickets:

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/the-metal-gear-symphony-orchestra-is-coming-to-the-us-for-two-shows-this-year-494316.phtml

News:: Are you a bad enough dude to pay $10 for DragonNinja on Switch?

Data East's Bad Dudes vs. DragonNinja, (or as everyone actually called it, DragonNinja) was a brawler that hit the arcades back in 1988, before being ported to every home computer under the sun. Now it will see its true calling, as it heads to Nintendo Switch next week.

The game stars two vigilantes, who, as we are informed in the game's iconic intro, are called upon to rescue President Ronnie, who has been kidnapped by ninjas. The intro ends with video gaming's greatest ever call-to-arms: "Are you a bad enough dude to rescue President Ronnie?"

It can't be denied that the game has a deserved place in the annals of gaming history, what with its late '80s aesthetic, hilarious setup, and "Vigilantes versus Punks" theme, which was used endlessly, for almost every brawler released in the glory days of the '80s arcade.

But honestly, DragonNinja isn't a great game, it's clunky and lacks the slickness of similar titles such as Sega's Shinobi. Although it does have a great roster of cool, fire-spitting, star-throwing enemies, like a lot of Data East's classics, the memory is better than the reality.

But for those of you who may have missed it the first time around, or for whom nostalgia trumps quality, then Bad Dudes vs. DragonNinja launches on the North American Switch eShop on March 21, priced at $10.

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/are-you-a-bad-enough-dude-to-pay-10-for-dragonninja-on-switch--494254.phtml

News:: Get these games while you still can: A Wii Shop essentials guide

As a general rule, WiiWare was weird ware. Even in its prime, it was one of the least popular online storefronts in gaming, despite being on the best-selling console at the time and coming equipped with a now-legendary theme song. A lot of people slept on the most fun and interesting games on the service, and now they have less than two weeks to wake up. 

The Wii Shop Channel will no longer be taking in funds after March 27, 2018, and the whole store will close for good on January 31, 2019. That means a host of WiiWare and Wii Virtual Console exclusives are about to become unavailable. This is your last chance to get most of these games legally. 

This is not an exhaustive list, so please add to it in the comments if you see anything we missed. Most of the games here are either Wii Shop exclusives or are only otherwise available on PC, portables, or other dead home consoles. Games that have recently been ported to more recent home systems, like Cave Story and World of Goo, are disqualified. Also disqualified are games that are available on disc-based collections for Wii or other consoles like the Bit.Trip series, or now-unavailable games like the Commodore 64 collection, Doc Louis's Punch-Out, and Grill-Off with Ultra Hand.

Wii Points are about to become the most rare crypto-currency in the world. Here's some of the best games you can buy with them while you still can. 

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/get-these-games-while-you-still-can-a-wii-shop-essentials-guide-492730.phtml

News:: EA adds a new battle mode to four-year-old ‘Plants vs Zombies 2’

Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About Time was pretty highly anticipated when it came out in 2013. The title got a couple expansions early on, but we really haven't heard much about the lane-based castle defense game since then. Now, however, it looks like publisher EA and developer PopCap have a completely new high-score comparing player-vs-player system called Battlez mode. If nothing else, this might give us all a reason to hop back into the four-year-old title and try something a little new.

Source: EA

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/03/14/ea-new-battle-mode-four-year-old-plants-vs-zombies-2/

News:: Noctis warps into Tekken 7 in style on March 20

I really took to Noctis over the course of Final Fantasy XV, mostly because of his relationship with his crew. The anime prequels did a sufficient job of linking me up emotionally with the party of bros, and although he isn't the best Final Fantasy protagonist (there's so many to choose from even if you only count VI), I'm excited to see him in more works.

Dissidia NT was just the start, as he's making his way into Tekken 7 officially on March 20. The video below from the official Tekken channel showcases his fighting style a bit, which seems reigned in but fairly flashy and true to the source material (the same could be said about the Hammerhead garage level).

Noctis will run you $7.99 on his own or can be bought as part of the $24.99 season pass.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/noctis-warps-into-tekken-7-in-style-on-march-20-494276.phtml

News:: Xbox's E3 booth won't actually be at E3, but it isn't going far

Yesterday, we wrote about the sprawl of E3 events as the week's timeline gets longer and longer. There's a different kind of sprawl too, though. There's the physical sprawl of several different publishers holding their festivities outside the doors of the Los Angeles Convention Center. That's a trend that at least one more company will partake in for 2018's show.

Xbox has announced its E3 2018 plans, and they include a move across the street. Xbox won't be inside the convention center like it usually is. Instead, it's packing up and going to the Microsoft Theater -- which is only a five-minute walk from the LACC.

The reasoning is the same logic that dictates all of these moves: E3 is increasingly a fan-oriented experience. Taking its wares offsite allows Xbox to let more people see its games while also creating isolation from all the other distractions of E3. For what it's worth, Microsoft stresses that this was coordinated with the ESA and that it'll still have a Mixer booth inside E3 proper.

The other notable facet of Xbox's E3 plans confirm what we suspected yesterday: The Xbox press conference will be on Sunday June 10 at 1pm Pacific. However, there's an unexpected twist. For the first time since I've been doing this (2010, the Kinect Space Poncho year), Microsoft won't be at USC's Galen Center for its briefing. Instead, it'll be -- you guessed it, at the Microsoft Theater. That's the one-stop shop for everything Xbox this year.

E3 2018: Microsoft Readies Biggest E3 Showing Ever [Xbox Wire]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/xbox-s-e3-booth-won-t-actually-be-at-e3-but-it-isn-t-going-far-494300.phtml

News:: Human Cannonball breaks world record promoting Sea of Thieves

A new Guinness World Record was set yesterday at an event held by Xbox to promote Rare's upcoming pirate adventure, Sea of Thieves. In the game, players can be fired out of a cannon, so daredevil David "The Bullet" Smith Jr. was brought on board to demonstrate this.

At the Raymond James Stadium in Florida, Smith Jr. climbed into a 34-foot, Sea of Thieves branded cannon and proceeded to launch himself over 200 feet. By sheer luck, someone had seemingly left an enormous air-bag lying in the stadium, which fortunately broke Smith Jr's fall.

Guinness were on-hand to officially record the stunt and have confirmed that it stands as a new World Record. Interestingly enough, it is believed that Smith's father, "Cannonball," once succeeded in reaching a distance of 201 feet back in the early 2000s, but this event was not officially recorded by the Guinness crew.

Being a daredevil is such a fascinating, niche line of work. It's a way of life, in fact. It certainly isn't for me, I don't even like climbing up into the attic. There's quite a few steps, plus there's spiders up there.

Sea of Thieves launches (not out of a cannon) on PC and Xbox One March 20.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/human-cannonball-breaks-world-record-promoting-sea-of-thieves-494248.phtml

News:: For Honor now has a $15 Starter Edition similar to Rainbow Six Siege

In recent years, Ubisoft has experimented with a Starter Edition of Rainbow Six Siege, offering players a chance to get the game at reduced price in exchange for a more-limited starting selection of playable characters and the ability to earn additional heroes by grinding matches for in-game currency. Now, the company is adapting that model for another of its multiplayer-centric titles -- it's For Honor's turn.

For Honor Starter Edition is out today on Steam and Uplay for $15. Here's the breakdown per Ubisoft:

• Three fully unlocked Vanguard Heroes: The Warden, Raider, and Kensei will be fully unlocked (playable and customizable) at the start of the game.

• Three Launch Heroes from Players' Selected Faction: Three additional playable heroes will be granted to players based on the faction they choose when first launching the Starter Edition (Knight, Viking, Samurai); Players can progress and loot with these heroes, however customizations become available once the Heroes are "recruited" for 8,000 Steel each.

• Twelve Remaining Heroes: Players will also be able to fully unlock the six heroes from launch for gameplay and customization for 8,000 steel each. The six heroes released in post launch seasons can be fully unlocked for gameplay and customization for 15,000 Steel each.

It's a similar system to Siege, in other words. Whether or not it's a good deal will depend on how into the game you get and how much you can put up with drip-fed currency. For Honor is currently in its fifth season, and the Starter Edition is compatible with the game's season pass and add-on content.

With dedicated servers now supported, For Honor is worth another look.

For Honor PC Starter Edition Now Available! [For Honor]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/for-honor-now-has-a-15-starter-edition-similar-to-rainbow-six-siege-494303.phtml

News:: Hear Toon Zelda's cry in the latest Hyrule Warriors Switch footage

Like our own Jordan Devore, I'm not sure I want to spend hundreds of hours re-farming every item, skill, and level-up when Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition hits. I mean I already did it on Wii U, but those sweet, sweet 3DS characters are calling to me.

Toon Zelda is one of the better additions, but even the polarizing Agitha, as well as Zant, Midna, and Twili Midna are looking great. Are you ready to sell your body and soul all over again? We'll find out when Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition arrives in the west on May 18. It drops in just eight days in Japan, if you feel like "importing" it on the eShop.

I think I might break down and replay just the story. And a map or two. And...damn it.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/hear-toon-zelda-s-cry-in-the-latest-hyrule-warriors-switch-footage-494244.phtml

News:: Cute Helicopter Kirby toy back in stock at Japanese outlets

The very-cute and not-very-useful Kirby Hovering Helicopter is back in stock and available to pre-order at Japanese retail outlets. The dinky toy released last year and proceeded to sell out faster than the pink blob can gobble down enemies.

Kirby himself measures around 62mm (sizing up to 133mm with the twin rotors) and comes with a charge cable and a very basic remote control. Once activated, the Nintendo mascot glides through the air with a perpetual up/down motion. Sure to be a hit at parties... for a few minutes.

The Kirby Hovering Helicopter is priced around $15 / £11, obviously not including any shipping or customs charges. Pre-orders are open at Play-Asia until March 25, with the toy itself scheduled to ship around July 31.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/cute-helicopter-kirby-toy-back-in-stock-at-japanese-outlets-494242.phtml

News:: Blazing Chrome looks like a long-lost run-and-gun

Blazing Chrome sells itself pretty darn quickly. It's an authentic-looking retro run-and-gun game from Oniken and Odallus creator Joymasher in which one player is a resistance fighter and the other is a robot with a mohawk who's helping to overthrow the bad bots in power. You're down for that, right?

Don't answer until you've at least seen the trailer:

For Blazing Chrome, Joymasher is partnering with a new publishing label, The Arcade Crew, which was recently formed under Dotemu (Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, Windjammers, Ys Origin). "The Arcade Crew capitalizes on an existing framework of development and production within Dotemu but retains a different strategy of focusing on producing and publishing new games, whereas Dotemu will retain its core strategy of reviving loved and known franchises from the past," said CEO Cyrille Imbert.

"The Arcade Crew will harness the existing experience, passion, and infrastructure at Dotemu and integrate it with the creative fire of small development teams – the result will be polished, awesome games with a retro feel that people can pick up and enjoy, just like the games we grew up with."

Blazing Chrome strikes me as a good first pick. I'm curious to see what else is lined up.

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/blazing-chrome-looks-like-a-long-lost-run-and-gun-494292.phtml

News:: Super Bomberman R Xbox One listing backs up Korean PS4 rating

I was just talking about how odd it would be to have a Bomberman game not hit a Microsoft platform after years upon years of success on the Xbox Live Arcade, and here we are less than a week later.

While Super Bomberman R was originally a Switch launch title it seems to have had a year and change of exclusivity, as Konami has all but confirmed its existence on other platforms. Just recently a Korean rating was spotted for a PS4 edition, and now there's a very official looking listing for R on Microsoft's website, plain as day (and screencapped in case it went up early).

It seems like Microsoft has it slated for June 12 but no price is set yet (it originally went for $40).

Super Bomberman R [Microsoft] Thanks Jason!

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/super-bomberman-r-xbox-one-listing-backs-up-korean-ps4-rating-494281.phtml

News:: Call of Duty: WWII's St. Patrick's Day event contains an actual leprechaun hunt

Call of Duty: WWII's new event is now live. Operation: Shamrock and Awe began yesterday, runs until April, and features a host of oddly juxtaposed Irish iconography, including rainbows and an actual leprechaun. This is not an early April Fool's gag.

The DLC includes new green-coloured weaponry and uniforms for use in multiplayer mode as well as various leafed-clover motifs to decorate your clothing, guns and base of operations. There are also themed charms and ammo types, as well as the inclusion of two new guns, the MG-38 and the MG-81.

Not mentioned in the trailer below is an actual leprechaun, who can be found randomly dashing through maps in the game's multiplayer mode. Taking out the creature rewards the player with scorestreaks.

Also live for Season Pass holders, is new map Shipment 1944, which will be made available to all other players on March 16. A selection of new weapon skins, charms, uniforms and emotes have also been added to the WWII shooter.

Operation Shamrock and Awe is live in Call of Duty WWII now. The event ends April 3.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/call-of-duty-wwii-s-st-patrick-s-day-event-contains-an-actual-leprechaun-hunt-494251.phtml

News:: Microsoft’s inclusive Xbox avatars could arrive this spring

Microsoft announced last year that it was overhauling its avatar system and while the more diverse and customizable Xbox Live avatars were initially due out last fall, the company has kept us waiting. But a source familiar with Microsoft's Xbox plans has told The Verge that the new system will be available to Xbox Insiders for preview this month and is set for a wider rollout in April.

Via: The Verge

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/03/14/microsoft-inclusive-xbox-avatars-could-arrive-spring/

News:: Skyrim VR releases on Steam next month for $60

It's been a bit of a wait for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR on PC, but the wait is almost over.

Bethesda is bringing its rebuilt-for-VR version of the open-world RPG that just won't die to Steam on April 3, 2018 with support for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets. As with the original PlayStation VR version of Skyrim VR, the new PC release will cost a full $60.

I didn't get around to checking this out on PSVR (I'm over Skyrim at this point), but I know people really dig it. Now, if only Capcom could throw Resident Evil 7 PC players a bone with VR support...

Skyrim VR Comes to SteamVR [Bethesda]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/skyrim-vr-releases-on-steam-next-month-for-60-494283.phtml

News:: Cancelled Star Wars Battlefront IV was headed to strange places if this concept art is anything to go by

Maybe in another time line far, far away, we could have already experienced developer Free Radical's now cancelled Star Wars: Battlefront III. Judging by the plethora of pre-release footage available online -- that showcases seamless transitions from ground-to-space battles -- it probably would have been a magical experience.

Sadly though, we're in the darkest of time lines. The same one that ironically doesn't include Free Radical's version of a dark Star Wars time line that they were seemingly already in the early stages of planning if this massive dump of concept art is anything to go by.

Read more...

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/cancelled-star-wars-battlefront-iv-was-headed-to-strange-places-if-this-concept-art-is-anything-to-go-by-494224.phtml

News:: Google opens Maps to bring the real world into games

Pokémon Go and other games that use real-world maps are all the rage, but there's a catch: they typically depend on semi-closed map frameworks that weren't intended for gaming, forcing developers to jump through hoops to use that mapping info. Google doesn't want that to be an issue going forward. The search firm is both opening its Maps platform's real-time data and offering new software toolkits that will help developers build games based on that data.

Source: George Portillo (YouTube), The Verge

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/03/14/google-opens-maps-to-game-developers/

News:: Upcoming big Monster Hunter: World update adds Deviljho, cuts load times

Capcom has been steadily updating us with free and premium content that's going to hit Monster Hunter: World, and given that it's the most successful game in the series, we're probably going to be seeing a whole lot more of it.

Announced today during their spring live stream, a new update is coming on March 22: one that will introduce the monster Deviljho into the mix, and most notably, reduce loading screens. Pesky research level degradation will also be lowered, and there's going to be a few other minor tweaks involving menus, mostly multiplayer.

It's all steps in the right direction, and updates that include both quality of life adjustments and content are my cup of tea.

Spring 2018 Live Stream [YouTube via Siliconera]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/upcoming-big-monster-hunter-world-update-adds-deviljho-cuts-load-times-494234.phtml

News:: Sony is running a massive PSN sale right now, which includes Bloodborne's only DLC

I have little things I like from every major hardware publisher in the game, and one thing Sony does really well is sales. When Sony has a sale I generally listen, and this "Great Indoors" sale is worth checking out.

Most notably, Bloodborne's one and only DLC, The Old Hunters, is $5.99 if you have a PlayStation Plus account ($7.99 without, which is still a steal). That's notable because Bloodborne is now free with a Playstation Plus subscription, and is hosting an unofficial "welcome back" community event.

Over 500 items are on sale, including Rocket League, Grand Theft Auto V, the Jack and Daxter Bundle, and LittleBigPlanet 3. If you're flipping through and looking for a rainy day game, don't hesitate to ask the community for help!

The Great Indoor Sale [PSN]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/sony-is-running-a-massive-psn-sale-right-now-which-includes-bloodborne-s-only-dlc-494218.phtml