Saturday, April 21, 2018

News:: Valve acquires the creators of 'Firewatch'

Campo Santo has widely been regarded as the little game studio that could. Its very first game, Firewatch, won numerous awards and even landed a movie deal. It won't be quite so indie going forward, however: the development team is joining Valve. While the full terms aren't available, the team members are moving to Bellevue, Washington and will continue developing In the Valley of Gods as a Valve game. There's no word yet on how this will affect Idle Thumbs podcasts.

Source: Campo Santo



via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/04/21/campo-santo-team-joins-valve/

News:: Comments of the Week 46: We've got heads on sticks

Hi everybody! PlasticTree is back to bring you Comments of the Week. I fell ill on my birthday back at the end of March and have thus been out of the game for a little while. I'm all pumped up and back in business again.

So the recent announcement of a Spyro remake of the Insomniac games has me excited. I had my reservations and problems with the Crash remakes (a lack of Clancy Brown for starters), but also the new hitboxes and the look of it...like the realistic graphics just doesn't gel with the cartoonish nature of Crash. Spyro is looking promising given it's more laidback nature and approach to 3D platforming, colourful worlds, and the promise of Tom Kenny returning as Spyro. Anyway, what I've been trying to say that I've found myself playing 3D platformers again, starting with Sly 2 and Spyro 2, and I'm feeling like playing some A Hat in Time.

But I'm also feelin' your comments!

Comments of the Week 46: We've got heads on sticks screenshot

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/comments-of-the-week-46-we-ve-got-heads-on-sticks-498907.phtml

News:: Review: Super Troopers 2

It's been 16 years since Broken Lizard exploded onto the scene with their stoner-comedy Super Troopers. Ever since then, they have had ups and downs in terms of their movies but for the most part, their comedy has always tickled me in just the right parts where I'll always go back and enjoy their work for years to come.

When the sequel was announced through IndieGogo three years ago, I wondered if it was too late for a proper sequel. I also feared it would suffer the same fate of many other late comedy sequels, relying too heavily on the previous movie for its majority of laughs. I can gladly say Broken Lizard had the foresight to avoid going full-on referential humor while still paying respect to the movie that brought them to the game.

Review: Super Troopers 2 screenshot

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/review-super-troopers-2-499685.phtml

News:: A Profound Waste of Time available for preorder

As many of you already know, A Profound Waste of Time is a limited print magazine that includes contributions from Yacht Club Games (Shovel Knight), Rami Ismail (Ridiculous Fishing/Vlambeer), Toby Fox (Undertale), and our very own Jonathan Holmes.

This whole project is the love child of a Destructoid user, Caz, and it looks absolutely gorgeous so far. The fact that something bred from our own Community has gotten so huge brings a fucking tear to my eye. The list of talent involved is downright daunting, and all of the artwork I’ve seen so far has been spectacular.

A Profound Waste of Time available for preorder screenshot

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/a-profound-waste-of-time-available-for-preorder-499684.phtml

News:: You may have to commit a crime to purchase Persona 5's jailers, Justine and Caroline

Good Smile Co. are on a roll with the cool-looking gaming memorabilia at the moment. Joining their catalogue of Persona merchandise this week are P5's Velvet Room assistants, the incomparable twin jailers; Justine and Caroline.

Caroline, is the cooler, grumpier of the pairing, appearing here with her hair in buns and a sadistic grin on her delicate chops. Justine, as the good cop, looks a little more demure. Both gals are painted in colours designed to accurately reflect the tones of their in-game counterparts. The model stands a little over six inches.

Those gathering Persona merch are probably no stranger to its relatively high cost, and that's good, because these gals are no exception. Available to pre-order right now, Justine and Caroline are priced at ¥12,800, or around $119, not including shipping or any customs charges.

Justine and Caroline are available to pre-order now at the Good Smile Co. website. Pre-orders close on May 17, with the figure scheduled for delivery in August.

You may have to commit a crime to purchase Persona 5's jailers, Justine and Caroline screenshot

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/you-may-have-to-commit-a-crime-to-purchase-persona-5-s-jailers-justine-and-caroline-499701.phtml

News:: Recommended Reading: Tesla and Waymo's self-driving data quests

How Tesla and Waymo are tackling a major problem for self-driving cars: Data
Sean O'Kane,
The Verge

In order for cars to drive themselves, the vehicles and their systems require loads of data. And gathering those details are one of the main goals for companies developing the autonomous cars that will eventually take us to the office. The Verge takes a look at how two of the main players in the self-driving space -- Tesla and Waymo -- are gathering gobs of data in very different ways.



via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/04/21/recommended-reading-tesla-waymo-self-driving-data-quest/

News:: Grand Theft Auto V back to tear up the town with Premium Online Edition

Rockstar's 2013 magnum-opus Grand Theft Auto V has seen a re-release this week in the form of the new Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Online Edition. This definitive edition-style release is on retail shelves for consoles now, and will be coming to Steam and other digital storefronts next week.

The Premium Online Edition features the original carjacking crime epic with "all existing gameplay content and upgrades". This package is centered on the GTA Online multiplayer element, and includes the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack, as well as previous expansions Smuggler's Run, Bikers, Gunrunning, The Doomsday Heist and more.

Also included are a selection of high-powered vehicles and explosive weaponry, and cosmetics such as gear and tattoos. Finally, the game fills your GTA wallet with a cool million dollars of Itch & Scratchy money, to spend on more in-game items. Everything you need to start time-sinking your life into GTA Online's chaotic world.

Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Online Edition is available now for PS4 and Xbox One, priced around $80. It will release on Steam, Xbox and PlayStation Stores next week.

Grand Theft Auto V back to tear up the town with Premium Online Edition screenshot



via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/grand-theft-auto-v-back-to-tear-up-the-town-with-premium-online-edition-499713.phtml

News:: Take a look at the great characters and classes of Mario Tennis Aces for Switch

Over the course of the week, Nintendo took to Tumblr to reveal screens and details from the upcoming Switch title Mario Tennis Aces. Not only did we get to see cool images of the game's roster in action, but we learned a little more about the specific classes in the court-smashing sports title.

First up are the All-Round characters, such as Mario, Luigi and Daisy. As the name suggests, All-Rounders are competent in all areas of play, with strong game, solid shots and fair speed. Although they don't particularly excel in any field, they are a safe bet for beginners and more casual players.

Take a look at the great characters and classes of Mario Tennis Aces for Switch screenshot

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/take-a-look-at-the-great-characters-and-classes-of-mario-tennis-aces-for-switch-499703.phtml

News:: Ninja Theory to donate $25K from Hellblade's Xbox One sales to Mental Health America

This month saw the release of the BAFTA award-winning Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice on Xbox One. After shifting over 50,000 units in first few weeks, developers Ninja Theory are to donate thousands of dollars to the Mental Health America organisation.

The sombre adventure title, which launched last year on PS4 and PC, stars a young warrior woman who embarks on a nightmarish journey to save the soul of her lover, battle otherworldly monstrosities and the crippling anguish within her own mind, a psychosis which she believes to be a curse. The game was lauded for its sensitive treatment of mental illness, attained through the developers working alongside neurosurgeons and those who are affected themselves.

This isn't the first time Ninja Theory have donated money from Hellblade sales to mental health charities. On World Mental Health Day 2017, the proceeds from all sales of the game within a 24-hour period were given to UK charity Rethink; an organisation I myself have required the aid of many times. Ninja Theory have stated that although they didn't reach their intended goal of 100,000 units, they will donate a further $50K whenever they hit that milestone.

I said it then, and I'll repeat myself now; I sincerely hope that any members of our beloved community, who are affected by such issues, be it they themselves, or their loved ones, can find comfort, support and relief through friends, family, colleagues, forums and healthcare professionals. You are not alone in this, nor do you ever have to be, I promise you.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is available now on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Ninja Theory to donate $25K from Hellblade's Xbox One sales to Mental Health America screenshot

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/ninja-theory-to-donate-25k-from-hellblade-s-xbox-one-sales-to-mental-health-america-499700.phtml

News:: Yoot Saito worked on Mario Motors, a canceled DS game about building engines

In a talk about game design philosophy at Reboot Develop 2018, SimTower, Seaman, and Odama creator Yoot Saito revealed that he once worked on an unusual Nintendo DS game codenamed Mario Motors.

Saito told some heartwarming stories about his friendship with Nintendo's Satoru Iwata and Shigeru Miyamoto, some of which he has shared before in detail. Back in the early 2000s, the three would have get-togethers in which they would "chat over tea casually" and talk about ideas for games.

"During one meeting, Iwata-san asked me a question: 'Saito-san, what have you been interested in lately?' I immediately understood what he was getting at, so I answered 'sculpting chunk.' Miyamoto-san said 'huh?!'" (To help explain to the audience what he was referring to, Saito talked a bit about how things like watches, camera frames, and MacBooks are made. Sculpting objects out of metal chunks spoke to him and it was an idea he "really wanted" to make into a game.)

"This kind of sculpting is really appealing to a middle-aged guy like me," Saito said.

"I explained this crazy idea to them and they really listened to me very carefully in complete silence, and finally said 'that sounds interesting, let's give it a try.'"

The concept eventually morphed into Mario Motors, "a game where you created engines."

Saito summed it up as "shaving and sculpting out of a chunk of metal to make a cylinder [which then] decides the ability of your engines." He wanted to teach players how acceleration works in an interesting way and thought about having them blow into the DS microphone. "I scrapped this idea because this would cause children to get out of breath," he explained.

Reflecting back on his meetings with Iwata and Miyamoto, Saito said "I really understand just how much they respected each other, and how they formed the two wheels that pulled Nintendo's game business forward. They paid attention to me because they were always hungry for something new."

As for why Mario Motors never moved forward, Saito said "I can't tell you why, but please guess."

He didn't have any formal announcements to make during the talk, but it seems as if he's still interested in a SimTower-style game (he asked the entire audience to come up mid-presentation and look at a basic prototype on his iPad) as well as Seaman. For the latter, Saito would want it on mobile "without any endings for years" and that would require a sophisticated and nuanced AI engine that talks back to players. "Until that engine is done, I'm not going to create a sequel to Seaman, but I am working on that."

Yoot Saito worked on Mario Motors, a canceled DS game about building engines screenshot

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/yoot-saito-worked-on-mario-motors-a-canceled-ds-game-about-building-engines-499705.phtml

News:: The Morning After: Weekend Edition

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Welcome to the weekend. We have some news about Flickr's future plus a bundle of 4/20 stories from Friday.

We're upgrading Engadget's daily newsletter and want to hear from you.

Tell us exactly what you think by emailing us atthemorningafter(at)engadget.com.



via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/04/21/the-morning-after-weekend-edition/

News:: Stormdivers is the next game from Resogun creator Housemarque

Last year, Super Stardust HD and Resogun developer Housemarque ended its run of excellent arcade games on a high note with the Nex Machina, a Robotron-style shooter made in collaboration with arcade legend Eugene Jarvis. The studio said it would be leaving the genre and pivoting to something new, and while it has actually made non-arcade titles before (it's been around for decades!), arcade gaming has very much been Housemarque's identity. The news was seriously bittersweet.

Today at Reboot Develop 2018, Housemarque's Ilari Kuittinen and Mikael Haveri shared a first look at the studio's next project, a multiplayer-centric game that's been in the works for a couple years.

The studio describes Stormdivers as a "high flying and heavy hitting" experience, adding that "it will be the first title that we treat as an on-going service." The teaser video doesn't offer much insight, but the name itself is evocative and it's clear this won't be played from a typical top-down perspective.

"As a part of our recent transition away from our core genres, we've had a hard look at what really makes up an arcade game and how can we bring those elements to whole new heights," said Housemarque. "Fortunately a few greats have been able to show the way and bring gameplay centric experiences to wider audiences. We hope to expand that progress as we bring our explosive effects and second-to-second gameplay to new genres."

Another team at Housemarque is currently working on a AAA game, but it remains unannounced.

Stormdivers is the next game from Resogun creator Housemarque screenshot



via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/stormdivers-is-the-next-game-from-resogun-creator-housemarque-499698.phtml

News:: 'Resogun' developer teases multiplayer-centric 'Stormdivers'

Last November, Finnish game developer Housemarque declared that the arcade genre "is dead." The studio's last title, Nex Machina, was warmly received by the press and currently boasts an 88 rating on Metacritic. "Lackluster sales," however, meant the company needed to change direction if it wanted to keep making games. It vowed to make "something completely different" and today, we have our first tease of the team's new project. The game is called Stormdivers and it promises a "multiplayer-centric experience" blended with "hard flying and heavy hitting gameplay." What that means in practice, though, is a mystery.



via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/04/21/housemarque-stormdivers-multiplayer-game-reveal/

News:: 'God of War' director's video shows the human side of making games

It's easy to forget that real people create games. For them, the eventual launch is as much terrifying as it is exciting -- they've poured years of their life into a project whose success is far from guaranteed. And if you need an illustration of that point, you just have to ask God of War director Cory Barlog. He posted a video of his reaction to early reviews of the PS4 action blockbuster, and it adds a sorely-needed human element to an industry where developers are often reduced to a list of faceless names in the credits.

Via: Eurogamer

Source: Cory Barlog (YouTube)



via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/04/20/god-of-war-directors-video-shows-the-human-side-of-making-gam/