Game Informer

Game Informer

Kena: Bridge of Spirits Release Date Slips Into September

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 04:18 PM PDT

Kena: Bridge of Spirits has been one of the most exciting PlayStation console exclusives since the debut of the console itself. It was originally supposed to launch during the 2020 holiday season before it slipped into this year with a new August 24 date. Unfortunately, developer Ember Labs needs a few more weeks to bring it home.

As such, Kena will now launch September 21. The team posted a tweet explaining that they simply want to give each version of the game those final spitshines of polish.   

"The team has been working extremely hard and we feel the extra time is critical to ensure the best experience possible. We know many of you are eager to play and we appreciate your patience as the team continues to work on delivering the best version of Kena," reads the message. 

Kena tells the tale of a young spirit guide who helps shepherd wayward souls into the afterlife. Kena finds herself in a land overtaken by a corrupted blight that only she can stop. She gains tiny helping hands in the Rot, cute little critters that decompose life and follow Kena around to assist in both combat and puzzle-solving. You can learn more about the game's creation and design by visiting our coverage hub. 

Delays can be a gut-punch but I'm sure most of us realize that they're usually necessary to ensure a better product. If nothing else, this gets Kena away from the particularly stacked month of August and into the … perhaps busier month of September. Well, at least it's not launching a day before Psychonauts 2 anymore. 

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is slated to launch on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via the Epic Games Store. 

Bummed out by Kena's delay or are you okay with waiting for another few weeks? Let us know in the comments! 

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster – New Gameplay Today

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 03:20 PM PDT

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Publisher: Square Enix
Release:
Platform: PC, iOS, Android

Few game series have the longevity of Square Enix's crown jewel Final Fantasy. For 24 years, it has grown and changed with each entry, starting with an ambitious open world adventure on NES. Now, going into its sixteenth numbered title and countless side stories, it's time to look back at where it all began.

Announced at E3 this year, the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series gives players a chance to experience the first six Final Fantasy games with updated pixel art that keep the look and feel of playing the original versions of these classics, but with some modern sensibilities. Not only are the visuals updated with new character sprites and world map overhauls, but the soundtracks have been enhanced with beautiful remastered tunes.

As of today, we're able to get our hands on the first three of these Pixel Remasters: Final Fantasy I, II, and III. Join our tour guide Dan Tack as he gives Alex Stadnik, and John Carson a look at these reworked relics. Our adventure begins in the first Final Fantasy where we witness some of the updated artwork, ogle at the water, and talk about how this maiden voyage differs from the games it precedes. We also take a quick look into Final Fantasy III which showcases updated battle animations and transitions, as well as the CRT filter which players can apply for a more authentic NES-era experience.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters for Final Fantasy I, II, and III are available now for PC, iOS, and Android with IV, V, and VI coming later. These aren't the only remakes Square Enix has been releasing in the past year. Check out our New Gameplay Today on Final Fantasy VII Remake here, and read our review of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intermission, the expansion released alongside an upgraded version for PlayStation 5.

Hundreds Of Ubisoft Employees Support Activision Blizzard Colleagues With Letter Demanding Accountability

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 12:59 PM PDT

As more and more details surface about the California lawsuit against Activision Blizzard over workplace harassment and sexual misconduct, many at Ubisoft are standing in solidarity with their colleagues in an open letter demanding accountability.  

In an open letter, Ubisoft alum are organizing efforts to support Activision Blizzard workers, criticizing how the company is handling sexual misconduct, both at Ubisoft and at Activision Blizzard. Organizers say that signatures include many from the Asia, Europe, and North American offices, with a call for accountability from leadership, including demanding accountability from Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. "It should no longer be a surprise to anyone: employees, executives, journalists, or fans that these heinous acts are going on," reads a part of the letter obtained by Axios. "It is time to stop being shocked. We must demand real steps be taken to prevent them. Those responsible must be held accountable for their actions."

Why is Ubisoft's added voice so important? Summer 2020 marked a massive shift in the gaming industry, particularly those who have suffered sexual misconduct and abusive leadership. After numerous reports regarding abuse, misconduct, and power corruption led to several high-profile execs being fired at Ubisoft, the investigations into the underbelly of this studio's culture continue. Investigations revealed that over 25 percent of employees experienced, or witnessed, workplace misconduct. While several notable executive roles became vacant due to these investigations, including Ashraf Ismail, Tommy Francois, and Maxime Beland, a new report shares that many employees feel unheard after numerous managers reported for misconduct remain in their leadership positions. Now, Activision Blizzard is under a similar microscope, and many around the industry, including Ubisoft, are rallying to support those in the thick of things. 

"We have stood by and watched as you fired only the most public offenders," the letter continues. "You let the rest either resign or worse, promoted them, moved them from studio to studio, team to team, giving them second chance after second chance with no repercussions. This cycle needs to stop."

While several notable names were fired from Ubisoft following the events of last year, a new report that broke earlier this Summer shows that not much else has been done and that much of the behavior reported is still allegedly widespread. 

Concerning Activision Blizzard, a walkout protest has been scheduled for today, following a public message to Activision Blizzard leadership that has amassed over 1,500 signatures. A/B CEO Bobby Kotick has also responded with special attention to rebuking an earlier statement made by the company against the allegations. To learn more, you can find our previous coverage here. 

New Activision Blizzard Lawsuit Details Reveal The Culture Behind 'Bill Cosby' Suite

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 12:50 PM PDT

Over the past week, new details have been uncovered following a lawsuit filed by the State of California against Activision Blizzard. The suit centers around allegations that focus on workplace harassment, sexual misconduct, and various other labor law infringements. Now, a new report shows off more about what the reported "frat-boy culture" refers to, this time surrounding what is being dubbed the Bill Cosby suite. 

Detailed in a new report from Kotaku, there is photographed documentation of the Cosby Suite that is named in the lawsuit. In the social media posts obtained by the site, it is further supported that more than just the named Alex Afrasiabi was involved in the alleged workplace behavior, though Afrasiabi remains front and center in the latest findings. 

The suite wasn't just a name. The developers seen in the obtained images show the men involved posing with pictures of Bill Cosby alongside the presence of alcohol. Alcohol during industry events is nothing new. However, this particular suite reportedly took things to the next level, not only drawing inspiration from Cosby, but one caption by a person involved proclaiming the suite to be a place of "gathering hot chixx for the Coz" when talking about potential hookups. 

"Bring 'em," the site notes was Afrasiabi's reply. "You can't marry ALL of them Alex," former Blizzard designer David Kosak said. "I can, I'm middle eastern," responded Afrasiabi. Jesse McCree, a lead game designer at Blizzard responded, saying: "You misspelled f****."

via Kotaku

The site notes that another lead designer, Cory Stockton, was an active participant in a group chat with the images, as well as Greg Street, who is now at Riot Games. A member of HR was also reportedly a part of the images shown, which may shed some light on the lawsuit plaintiff's claims attempts to go to HR for help being reportedly rebuffed. 

According to social media posts made by those involved, the Cosby Suite was what Afrasiabi's BlizzCon 2013's hotel room was called in reference to the actor Bill Cosby, who was convicted of rape, before his conviction was overturned on a technicality earlier in 2021. Afrasiabi, alongside Blizzard president J. Allen Brack, was explicitly named in the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard. "During a company event (an annual convention called Blizz Con [sic]) Afrasiabi would hit on female employees, telling him [sic] he wanted to marry them, attempting to kiss them, and putting his arms around them," reads the complaint. "This was in plain view of other male employees, including supervisors, who had to intervene and pull him off female employees. Afrasiabi was so known to engage in harassment of females that his suite was nicknamed the 'Crosby Suite' [sic] after alleged rapist Bill Crosby [sic]."

One source told the site that when the suite began its connotation, it was in relation to Cosby's "ugly sweaters" and not the rape allegations against him in 2013, but that later it transformed into a focus on more sexualized context. Another source said that the ugly connection, aesthetically speaking, was also a jab at an "ugly boardroom back at Blizzard's main office" with outdated designs; like Cosby's sweater. Kotaku notes that this justification doesn't quite line up with the images presented, where the walls were bare and without design.

Another image showed a woman sitting on a bed in the room whilst holding a portrait of Cosby with another woman holding someone else's breast. Male colleagues cheered on the action, calling it "Coz Approved," which sources say is indicative of Afrasiabi's alleged "predatory behavior." 

Another source told the site that while Kosak was involved, he was one of the few that would step in when things were taken too far, including protecting colleagues when sexual harassment was apparent. To read the full report, and see more images obtained by the site, you can see Kotaku's full report right here. You can also learn more about everything going on currently, including Bobby Kotick's statement, the planned walkout, and more, here.

Xbox Is Getting Over 75 New Games This Summer For Spotlight Event

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 11:29 AM PDT

The Xbox Summer Spotlight has been around for seven years. Each event comes with dozens of new Xbox games to close out the summer. 2021 is the biggest yet, with the announcement that over 75 new titles are joining Xbox's already expansive catalog. Between July 27 and September 6, you can hop into numerous new game worlds. Of course, there's more than just that. You could be eligible to receive prizes too when partaking in the gaming festivities.

According to a post that was uploaded on the official Xbox website, Microsoft Rewards and Gift Card combo are returning to this year's Summer Spotlight, "The Microsoft Rewards and Gift Card combo was so popular last year that we decided to bring the offer back for buying Summer Spotlight titles, which will also include some popular selections from Microsoft Movies & TV," the article reads. "As an added bonus, spend $50 on eligible titles and you will receive 5,000 Microsoft Rewards points and a $5 gift card. The deal gets even better for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members who will receive a $10 gift card."

While a large majority of the incoming games are still relatively unknown, here are a few that are already out or launching soon that you should be aware of:

Death's Door

Death's Door is an action-adventure game with gorgeous art and fun gameplay. Our very own Marcus Stewart reviewed the game and gave it a 9, "Death's Door is more lighthearted than it looks, and that's to its benefit. These amusing moments complement weightier themes about respecting the dead (no matter how terrible they were in life), the fear of death's inevitability, and whether anything we accomplish truly matters when our time is limited."

You can download Death's Door right now!

Hades

Hades is an incredible isometric rogue-like from the minds behind Bastion and Transistor. It was also my Game of the Year in 2020. Matt Miller enjoyed his time with it and stated, "Supergiant's latest opus is a beautiful and thoughtful twist on Greek mythology, flipping these old stories on their head and transforming them into commentaries on modern relationships. High-octane action gameplay may pull you into hell for the first time, but I suspect you'll stay to find out about this eccentric and fascinating family."

Hades launches on August 13.

Other titles, like The Ascent, 12 Minutes, The Forgotten City, and Aliens: Fireteam Elite are slated to come out this and next month. 

Are you planning on entering the Summer Spotlight sweepstakes? What games have you kept on your radar all this time?

Free PS Plus August 2021 Games Revealed

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 09:18 AM PDT

Microsoft just revealed its Xbox Games With Gold lineup for August, and now it's time for PlayStation to show off its lineup. Where Xbox is leaning into that Lost Planet love, PlayStation is going in a different direction with Hunter's Arena: Legends and some Tennis-inspired adventures. 

Just like every month, the new lineup is yours to keep as long as a PlayStation Plus membership is active. 

PS Plus Free Games For August 2021 

  • Hunter's Arena: Legends
  • Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
  • Tennis World Tour  2

I don't have any experience with Tennis World Tour 2, personally, so I can't recommend that but Plants vs. Zombies is a fun little adventure if you're looking for something a little more light-hearted. Plus, all three games are free, so if you don't like them? Simply uninstall! Easy peasy. 

For those that haven't scooped up the current month's lineup, it is not too late to grab July's free games, which you can find here. Just remember that an active PS Plus membership is required for all of the aforementioned titles. Sony's online services membership includes free games each month, exclusive sales on select titles, and more. The free games downloaded due to the PS Plus service remain yours to keep unless you cancel your membership. 

Thoughts on the free PS Plus August 2021 games lineup? What do you hope gets added into the freebie lineup next? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below! 

Xbox Games With Gold August 2021 Free Games Revealed

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 08:27 AM PDT

Just like every month, there are four free new games for players to claim as part of the Xbox Games With Gold program. For those that have Xbox Live or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, here are the freebies you can scoop up in order to start a new gaming adventure. 

Whether you want to slay foes as an archetype of destruction or just have some fun in a playful and colorful environment, the choice is yours with the August 2021 lineup! 

Xbox Games With Gold August 2021

  • Darksiders III ($59.99 ERP): Available August 1 to 31
  • Yooka-Laylee ($39.99 ERP): Available August 16 to September 15
  • Lost Planet 3 ($19.99 ERP): Available August 1 to 15
  • Garou: Mark of the Wolves ($9.99 ERP): Available August 16 to 31

Personally, I can't recommend Darksiders III enough, it's an enjoyable adventure that took the franchise in a different direction with Fury front and center. Or, if you felt like having a horrific single-player experience, Lost Planet 3 is a solid choice as well. It's a prequel but allows players to revisit the adventures of Jim Peyton while also uncovering all sorts of mysteries related to E.D.N III. 

Xbox Game Pass is a deal that has been a huge talking point in the gaming community,  and Ultimate members can enjoy the games above at no additional cost. For those that simply have Xbox Gold, the standard membership before Game Pass was even a concept, the above titles are free to own as long as your membership remains active.

With the new lineup on the way, it's not too late to scoop up July's freebies! You can learn more about those here. 

Thoughts on this month's lineup? What do you hope to see Xbox include in the future? Sound off with your hot takes in the comment section below! 

Audio-Driven Adventure Game The Vale: Shadow Of The Crown Launches In August

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 08:25 AM PDT

Click here to watch embedded media

If you're looking for an experience you don't often see in games, how about an adventure you don't "see" at all? The Vale: Shadow of the Crown is an audio-only action RPG arriving this August that we first laid ears on at PAX West 2019. By controlling a blind warrior, you'll embark on a medieval quest guided only by sound for an adventure unlike any other. 

You play as a royal noble, born blind, who is second-in-line to the crown. Unfortunately, your older brother just ascended to the throne and banished you from the kingdom because he's kind of a jerk. You're all alone in a world you can't see so you must use your remaining senses to battle enemies and find resources to stay alive.

So how do you play something you can't see? To the surprise of no one, headphones are a must. The Vale combines binural audio tech with diverse soundscapes to provide realistic, 3D surround sound to guide you through environments. The game also features full voice-acting to further assist players and keep them on track. Besides offering a unique form of exploration, The Vale offers a fantastic option for visually impaired players. 

The game features a complete combat system as you'll battle a variety of enemies and even bosses. Again, you'll rely on sound to determine exactly when to attack or defend. The Vale is still an RPG, so you'll improve your character by equipping sets of armor and learn upgradable magic spells. You'll also purchase new items from vendors or gather ingredients by hunting animals. 

The Vale packs in 20 locations, just as many side quests, and dozens of audio cutscenes into a 5+ hour adventure. If you're down to try something totally different, it launches August 19 for Xbox One and PC via Steam and itch.io. There's also a free Steam demo you can try to see if The Vale is for you. The game will launch on the Epic Games Store a short time later. 

What do you think of The Vale: Shadow of the Crown? Are you willing to play an audio-only action RPG? Let us know in the comments!

Grand Dames Interview: Ageism In Gaming, Skyrim Grandma Has A Sword, And The Beauty Of The Gaming Community

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 07:49 AM PDT

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From Grandma Shirley talking about her love of killing people and her hidden dagger to Miss Jessa talking about the beauty of the community they built, here is why you should be paying attention to the Grand Dames. 

Everyone knows Shirley, AKA Skyrim Grandma, by now. Her community loves her so much, for good reason, because of the calming gaming experiences she has to offer the public through her adventures in Tamriel. In fact, she is even a fully voiced follower in Skyrim now thanks to this mod, and she's even going to be an actual character in The Elder Scrolls 6. But what you may not know is that she's a part of a group of phenomenal women called the Grand Dames, and we sat down with these amazing gamers to learn more about their journey and hear more about their thoughts on the gaming community. 

Meet the Grand Dames

You can learn more about these amazing women right here, but here's an intro into each Dame before diving into our video interview! 

Haughty

According to the official Dames website: Dame Haughty has been gaming for over 40 years, starting with Pong and moving on to many types of games from survival, MMORPGs, RPGs, and simulations. She plays and streams World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14, but also loves Fallout 4 and 76, Minecraft, and Rust. She has built a very chill, inclusive & safe community, called the Coop, which joins her for livestreams on Twitch. Haughty proves that you can play your game however you choose and loves to show the many different ways one can enjoy games.

After returning to college in her 50s to get her Bachelors in Social Work and a Masters in gender and sexuality, she is now studying for her Ph.D. in domestic violence and social work practice and loving every minute of her academic studies.

You can find Dame Haughty, her beloved husband Mal, and her community at Twitch.com/HaughtyChicken or on Twitter: @HaughtyChicken.

Jessa

Dame Jessa loves the roleplaying and storytelling aspects of gaming. Rather than the highest score, Jessa seeks the deepest side of any character she is playing. From her epic elf Mala the Dragonborn and Kinlen the swordswoman and spy in Skyrim to her quaint and tiny little Sims 2 villages of Acanthop and Kettle Falls, Jessa is always looking for more connection with her fans through voice-acting her endearing stories and her love of Indie games. She brings her technical and communication skills to the tea table by being the host of The Grand Dames monthly livestream and administering their channel. When she is not attending to the needs of The Grand Dames channel, Jessa tells her stories on YouTube at The Jessa Channel, and posts cat pictures that make her giggle @TheJessaChannel on Twitter. You can learn more about Jessa at TheJessaChannel.com.

Merrie

Dame Merrie is a team player—literally. She loves co-op gaming and the joy of playing with others for a shared goal, and shooting skags and outlaws in Borderlands with her gaming group, the Borderlands Babes. Merrie loves all things gaming merch: hats, plushies, pins and tons of gaming gewgaws, and while at one of the many games conventions she attends, she will happily put on her chicken hat while sharing how she conquered nations in Civilization 5! Dame Merrie has a keen eye, a warm heart and a quick trigger finger. You can catch Merrie live from time to time on Twitch.tv/LadyMpire or touch base with her on Twitter @LadyMpire.

Shirley Curry

Dame Shirley Curry has nearly a million grandkids that she greets with a gentle smile and the words, "Good morning, grandkids'' every episode. Shirley loves The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim because it gives her the chance to do what she loves most: tell stories and wander the windy, snowy, rugged lands of Skyrim taking photos of every beautiful vista she sees. She loves to share her screenshots on Twitter with her many caring fans. What Shirley loves most about being a Dame is the opportunity to actually visit with fans in the afterparties when the monthly livestream is finished. Shirley wants to hear the stories of those who love what she loves, the gentle joy of gaming. Shirley can be found in many newspaper and magazine articles that celebrate the fact that she is still gaming and thriving at 85 years of age. Shirley can be found hanging with her followers on Twitter @ShirleyScurry.

So join Alex Stadnik and Liana Ruppert as we sit down with the Grand Dames themselves to talk silliness, the love of games, and get real about some of the uglier aspects of the industry such agesim. It's a great chat, we hope you enjoy what they have to say and fall in love with this group like we have! 

Nintendo Was Originally Supposed To Be A Part Of The Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony With Lady Gaga

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 07:25 AM PDT

The Tokyo Olympics kicked off just last week and the opening ceremony featured amazing tracks from some of our favorite gaming franchises. With music from Monster Hunter, Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, Soul Caliber, and more, the absence of Nintendo was glaring. Apparently, the company was initially slated to be a part of the Tokyo Olympics commencement ceremony, including a scrapped concept of Lady Gaga coming out of a Super Mario warp pipe. 

In a new report from the Japanese site Bunshun (via Resetera), there is documentation of the opening ceremony's "collapse," detailing what was initially thought to be the show starter. According to the site, the original plan was to have a red motorcycle rush in to the theme of the main character from Katsuhiro Otomo's manga Akira. A song written by Yasutaka Nakata was meant to play, and the overall vibe was meant to be "sunny" and "cheery." But what actually ended up making the final production was a very different picture, which makes the leaked showcase plans all the more interesting. 

The report states, "On July 19, four days before the performance, Keigo Oyamada, who was in charge of composition, was forced to resign because he had made statements in the past that boasted of 'bullying for people with disabilities.' Kentaro Kobayashi, who was in charge of the production as a show director, was also dismissed after discovering that he had been ridiculing the Holocaust in the past." With those changes, many visions regarding the event were altered.

The documentation details several major ways that the opening ceremony changed just before the final curtain call. Nintendo's participation, as of June 16, was meant to include the main theme of The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Suite, Kirby Super Star Medley, and the opening of Pokemon. The article details that all of those plans were scrapped "just before the show," though Nintendo did not comment when inquiries were made outside of "We are not in a position to answer." 

The proceedings were also meant to feature Lady Gaga and Naomi Watanabe coming out of a warp pipe donning Mario-related gear: 

Bunshu

While the Olympics are in person this year following a year of lockdown due to COVID-19, it is reported that nearly 80% of Japanese people that were asked if they were for or against the Olympics taking place this year (in person) said that they were against it. Given the current situation of Japan in relation to COVID-19, that hesitency is understandable. 

For those interested in which songs did make the Tokyo Olympics cut, check out our previous coverage here. 

New Back 4 Blood Open Beta Trailer Shows Off More Co-Op And PvP Action

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 06:43 AM PDT

Back 4 Blood is essentially the Left 4 Dead 3 experience we've been hoping for. The same team that created Left 4 Dead is back with a new co-op experience (and no, the creator doesn't mind the constant Left 4 Dead tie-ins either, he told us himself!). We know that there are no microtransactions regarding the cards, we know about the PvP element, but now Turtle Rock wants players to dive once more to learn more about the co-op experience. Because of that, an open beta is just around the corner in addition to a brand new trailer. 

The open beta early access period kicks off on August 5 and will run until August 9 for those that pre-ordered the game or registered through this link. The regular open beta will continue on August 12-16 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC players. Take a look at the latest trailer below: 

Click here to watch embedded media

The Back 4 Blood beta includes: 

  • Two maps for the "Swarm" PvP mode
  • Two co-op maps to fight off Ridden with your friends 
  • Play as Mom for the first time, as well as other Cleaners: Evangelo, Holly, Walker, and Hoffman
  • Play as six different Ridden variants in "Swarm," including the Bruiser, Retch, Hocker, Exploder, Crusher and Stinger
  • Various weapons to check out, cards to build decks, and Ridden to slay
  • Explore the Fort Hope communal hub
  • Cross-play and cross-gen support

To catch up on what else we've learned about the zombie co-op experience, you can check out our Back 4 Blood game hub here. We also recently had an interview go up with the creator himself to talk about pay-to-win concerns, seasonal events, the beta, and more. 
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