News:: Review: Moonlighter

I once read an article that some teachers are feeling forced to moonlight and take second jobs to supplement their low teaching salaries. As a teacher, it made me a bit sad to read, especially since I know other professions are in the same boat. Since when is having a career not enough? 

Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not really sure that the main character in Moonlighter is actually moonlighting. He heads into the dungeon to get the goods he sells in his own shop -- isn't that the same job, and he's just cutting out the middleman? Maybe this game should be called Middleman. 

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/review-moonlighter-505010.phtml

News:: Oh hey, that dockless Nintendo Switch bundle isn't going to be released outside of Japan

Just a few days ago we learned that Nintendo of Japan would be peddling a new Switch bundle: one that would entice more households to pick up multiple units in a dockless format for roughly $50 less. It's a genius idea, one that could put the 3DS out of business entirely, but it's not coming west for the foreseeable future.

Speaking to USgamer, Nintendo explains that they have "no plans" to extend the bundle to other regions. Welp, case closed! At least for now. Nintendo is clearly testing the market out to see if their "multiple per household" concept is going to work right now; likely because the Switch is selling like hotcakes and timelines have been pushed up. Momentum is important after all, and it's one of the major concepts they screwed up with the Wii U.

After all, basically anything corporate Nintendo says can't be taken at face value, as they constantly shift goal posts or open up/close vaults when they feel like it. We could very well see a dockless version of the Switch one day (note that the statement just pertains to that particular bundle, not a special completely portable-only Switch that could launch with the new Pokemon).

Nintendo's Plan for Getting Multiple Switch in Every Household Starts With a New Bundle [USgamer]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/oh-hey-that-dockless-nintendo-switch-bundle-isn-t-going-to-be-released-outside-of-japan-505006.phtml

News:: Atari co-founder Ted Dabney passes away at 81

Samuel "Ted" Dabney, electronics engineer and co-founder of legendary studio Atari, passed away this weekend at the age of 81. The sad news was broken by friend and gaming historian Leonard Herman.

Dabney, who was born in San Francisco in 1937, picked up a taste for electronics during a three-year stint in the United States Marine Corps. After attending university to hone his skills, Dabney would later work at data processing service Ampex, where, in 1969, he would meet another soon-to-be industry legend, Nolan Bushnell.

Together Bushnell and Dabney would form Syzygy, (later Atari Inc.) in 1971. The duo would create Computer Space - the first arcade game ever made - and later, along with fellow Ampex employee Al Alcorn, Atari would develop the immensely successful bat-and-ball title, Pong.

Dabney would leave Atari in 1973, continuing to work in the field of computers and electronics, before leaving the industry completely in the early '80s. The video game pioneer would then settle for a quieter life, managing grocery outlets with his wife, Carolyn.

While Ted Dabney's contributions are not always referenced as often as those by his former colleagues, his impact on building the industry that we know and love today is etched indelibly in video game history. We at Destructoid offer our condolences to his friends and family.

Ted Dabney, Atari co-founder, passes away. [Leonard Herman]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/atari-co-founder-ted-dabney-passes-away-at-81-504977.phtml

News:: Oh hey, we might be getting our first look at a boss from the Final Fantasy VII Remake

Eagle-eyed fans managed to locate a picture on the recruitment site for the Final Fantasy VII Remake, and could have uncovered a little extra snippet of information.

And snippets is all we're getting, it seems, as Square Enix has been pretty mum on anything regarding VII's remake since they announced it, keen to slip directive changes behind the scenes in the form of job listings (it's there where we learned that the project was shifted to a more internal focus rather than third party studios).

Anyway, a listing for dev lead Naoki Hamaguchi showcases a clear picture of a remade version of the Air Buster boss that the team fights in the Sector 5 Reactor following the more iconic Guard Scorpion. It's a tiny tidbit, but another glimpse at the art direction that the remake is going for. It's definitely more formidable than the giant vacuum cleaner motif!

Job Recruitment [Square Enix via Siliconera]

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/oh-hey-we-might-be-getting-our-first-look-at-a-boss-from-the-final-fantasy-vii-remake-505002.phtml

News:: Solo made the Kessel Run in under 100 million dollars

It's memorial day weekend here in the states, one part remembrance for veterans that have died in the past, one part start of summer.  Memorial day also has a historical significance to the Star Wars franchise as all of the films prior to The Force Awakens came out on or around the holiday weekend.

For some reason, the execs at Disney decided to forgo the new norm of December holiday-palooza release for their newest venture Solo: A Star Wars Story and returned to the warm embrace of Memorial Day. Was it a gamble? Well if it was it fell flat on its chiseled face because, by all accounts, Solo is a major flop in regards to the Star Wars franchise.

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/solo-made-the-kessel-run-in-under-100-million-dollars-504950.phtml

News:: Resident Evil 7 Switch 'makes no promises' preserving your save file

Is the future of gaming not actually owning anything but licenses, with no guarantees regarding your progress? Possibly. It's not the full reality right now but some companies are pushing for it, and there's something you should probably know about the cloud version of Resident Evil 7 on Switch.

Okay so you're basically renting the game, we knew that when it was announced. But did you know your save data might not be safe even if you paid to rent it? According to a clarificaiton post by Capcom, there are "no promises" that your save will be preserved, and since you can't save it locally, you'd be out of luck if it decided to nuke itself.

It's a stark contrast to say, an MMO, particularly World of Warcraft, where Blizzard guarantees user data for years. It's an experiment, that's for sure, and I wonder if it'll do well enough in Japan to warrant a worldwide test. If it gets to that point hopefully all the save kinks will be worked out by then.

Resident Evil 7 [Capcom via Nintendo Everything]

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/resident-evil-7-switch-makes-no-promises-preserving-your-save-file-504909.phtml

News:: Singapore PSN may have outed Mega Man 11's release date, teases 'Double Gear system'

Oh hey, it's Mega Man 11 news!

Capcom has been rather quiet since its initial announcement, biding its time to give us more information and even a firm release date, but thanks to a leak from the Singapore PSN, we may have an inkling. According to a listing on the region's storefront, Mega Man 11 will arrive on October 3. Now that could be erroneous or was put up in haste, but that seems far off and specific enough to not be a placeholder -- we'll likely know for sure during E3, when some publisher will claim it as part of their press conference.

Curiously the listing all denotes something called a "Double Gear" system, which "boosts Mega Man's speed and power for a new twist on the satisfying gameplay the series is known for." On paper it sounds a lot like the Mighty Gunvolt Burst mechanic from Inti Creates, which allows players to equip gear to the main character to create different builds. Again, we'll probably know more in a few weeks!

Mega Man 11 [PSN via Gematsu]

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/singapore-psn-may-have-outed-mega-man-11-s-release-date-teases-double-gear-system--504936.phtml

News:: Dirt will be flying when MXGP Pro releases this July

Milestone S.r.l. is releasing so many games this year, it's difficult to keep track of them all. Earlier in 2018 saw the release of Monster Energy Supercross and Gravel, next month marks the launch of MotoGP 18, and later this year it's releasing Ride 3. Sandwiched between those last two is MXGP Pro, the next entry in the MXGP franchise. 

Pro will introduce several new features to the series that have already been implemented into other games from the developers. Players will be able to greatly customize their bikes with new gear and sponsorships, the implementation of Unreal Engine 4 -- now the standard for Milestone games --will allow for better physicals and visual details, and players will be able to practice to their heart's content with the new Compound.

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/dirt-will-be-flying-when-mxgp-pro-releases-this-july-504948.phtml

News:: EA Sports picks the winner of this year's World Cup

Predictions are less of a science and more of an art, especially when it comes to high-pressure sporting events where anything can go. EA Sports, with one eye on an attention-grabbing headline, is hoping to prove its bona fides by saying that it has predicted which nation will win this year's World Cup.

Source: EA Sports

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/05/28/ea-sports-world-cup-2018-prediction/

News:: Anyone can be an esports champion with MotoGP 2018

Milestone's MotoGP franchise has been at it for more than a decade and this year's iteration, MotoGP 18, is set for release worldwide next month. Any longtime fans of the series would do themselves a favor picking it up right away because, in July, the MotoGP eSport Championship starts anew and players can win their way into the tournament.

MotoGP 18 is the latest entry in the series and it brings with it the Unreal Engine 4, something that is becoming the standard for Milestone games. The engine is allowing the developer to further refine the niche series with better graphics, more realistic damage, and authentic looking tracks, including the Buriram International Circuit in Thailand, which makes its debut in 18.

If players feel confident in their skills on a crotch rocket, beginning July 18, there will be a set of four challenges they can compete in. The 12 fastest racers from around the world will be invited to compete in Italy as part of the Championship semi-finals. Players who make it to the grand finals will have a chance to win themselves a BMW M240i Coupe.

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via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/anyone-can-be-an-esports-champion-with-motogp-2018-504945.phtml

News:: The Morning After: Dropping phones and upgrading your BBQ

Hey, good morning!

The week begins, but kind of doesn't, as most of us are enjoying a three-day weekend. To celebrate, we're reporting on the best phones to drop on the floor (well, you know what I mean), BBQ upgrades for Engadget readers and amateur pitmasters, as well as the potential for facial recognition to save primates.

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/05/28/the-morning-after-phone-drop-test-tesla-atari-smart-bbq/