Game Informer |
- PlayStation Releases Top Downloads Of 2021 And Sports Games Lead The Pack
- Is God of War Worth Playing On PC? | New Gameplay Today
- Stalker 2 Delayed To December
- A New Report Says Sony Is Making More PS4s To Deal With PS5 Shortage
- Pokémon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl: Head To Snowpoint City For A Special Easter Egg Today
- Kirby And The Forgotten Land Trailer Details Copy Abilities, Co-Op, March Release Date Revealed
- Call Of Duty: Vanguard Attack On Titan Crossover Brings Levi Ackerman To The Battlefield
- Watch A Clumsy Bidoof Prove Its Worth In This Pokémon Animated Short
- Ezio's Assassin's Creed Adventures Coming To Switch In February
- Phil Spencer Discusses Xbox's Relationship With Activision Blizzard And Dealing With Problematic Studios
- How Guerrilla Games Is Taking Aloy To New Places In Horizon Forbidden West
- Lego Delays Overwatch 2 Set Due To Ongoing Activision Blizzard Controversy
- New Destiny 2: The Witch Queen Trailer Showcases The Dangers Of Savathun’s Throne World
- Far: Changing Tides Arrives In Early March
- Days Gone Director Details What A Sequel Would Have Included
- Sega Opens New Studio Led By Former Phantasy Star Online 2 Producer
| PlayStation Releases Top Downloads Of 2021 And Sports Games Lead The Pack Posted: 12 Jan 2022 09:04 AM PST PlayStation has released the top 20 PlayStation 5 downloads and PlayStation 4 downloads of 2021, and as you might expect, sports games took home the platinum trophy. On the PS5, NBA 2K22 was the number one most-downloaded PS5 game in the U.S. and Canada in 2021 while in Europe, unsurprisingly, FIFA 22 took the top spot. Call of Duty: Vanguard was the number two game in both regions, which, while not necessarily surprising because Call of Duty games always sell well, it's pretty wild that a game released in November was the number two most-downloaded game of the entire year. Along those same lines, Among Us was the number six most-downloaded game of 2021 in the EU, despite releasing in December. Here's a full look at the top 10 PS5 games in the U.S. and Canada region:
On the PS4 side of things, Grand Theft Auto V was the most-downloaded game in the U.S and Canada, while FIFA 22 also took home the top spot in the EU, much like its PS5 counterpart. Here's a full look at the top 10 PS4 downloads in 2021 in the U.S. and Canada:
The company also released the top 10 PSVR downloads for both regions and Beat Saber holds the number one spot in both the U.S. and Canada, and the EU. Here's the top 10 PSVR downloads in the U.S. and Canada:
And finally, here are the top 10 most-downloaded free-to-play games on the PS5 and PS4 (combined) in the U.S. and Canada:
Are there any games on these lists that surprised you? Let us know in the comments below!
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| Is God of War Worth Playing On PC? | New Gameplay Today Posted: 12 Jan 2022 08:50 AM PST  Click to watch embedded media Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment Developer: Santa Monica Studio Release: (PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4), (PC) Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC It's 2022, but we're playing a game from 2018? Incorrect. We're checking out the PC version of the acclaimed God of War from Sony Santa Monica and letting you know if it's worth picking up. Join host Marcus Stewart and Alex Stadnik as they take you on a tour of the first hour of Kratos and Atreus' adventure. One of the significant additions to this version of the game is the upgraded visual fidelity. God of War can reach 4K visuals, but PC players will be able to utilize the unlocked frame rate to experience the smoothest way to play one of the best games of the last few years. PC fans should also be excited to hear that God of War features support for ultra-widescreen monitors. Another critical difference in this version of God of War is the freedom to pick your controller of choice. Both the DualSense and the DualShock are here, of course, but as our gameplay shows off, Microsoft fans can also have their fun and plug in an Xbox Series X/S controller (it had to be tested for science, ok?). If this is your first venture into the world of Kratos, Atreus, and the rest of the gods, be sure to check out our review of one of 2018's best games where we say: Kratos' reinvention serves as a narrative hook, but it also parallels the series' evolution as a whole; where God of War once relied on bombast and bloodlust, now it leaves space for strategy and nuance. It still has superb action and plenty of jaw-dropping moments, but it supports them with a new level of depth and maturity. God of War learns from its past while clearing an exciting path for the future, and emerges as one of the best games of this generation.For more looks at some of 2022's biggest games, be sure to check out our recent hands-on with Rainbow Six Extraction and our talk with the dev team behind God of War Ragnarok!
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| Posted: 12 Jan 2022 08:15 AM PST S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl has been delayed to December 8. This news comes from developer GSC Game World on Twitter, who states they need more time to fulfill its vision of the game. The long-awaited sequel was previously scheduled to launch on April 28. GSC's message reads as follows: We have made a decision to postpone the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl to December 8th, 2022. These additional seven months of development are needed to fulfill our vision and achieve the desired state of the game. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is the biggest project in the history of GSC, and it requires thorough testing and polishing. We are convinced that development should take as long as necessary, especially in the case of such a project. This decision is not an easy one, but we are doing the best possible to deliver you a game that can live up to the expectations. With more information, updates, and showcases coming, we have an exciting and important year ahead. Thank you for your patience and understanding. With love, GSC Game World team.Fans have been waiting for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 since it was first revealed in 2010. The game has had a tumultuous development history, including being canceled and restarted, not to mention some developer/investor drama. The first-person shooter sees players exploring the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone to battle mutants, engage with factions, and more in a non-linear narrative. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 found itself embroiled in controversy last month when GSC announced plans to put real players in the game as NPCs…but as paid NFTs. Fans quickly revolted, which saw GSC first respond by standing its ground and defending the concept before reversing course and canceling all NFT plans just minutes later. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is slated to launch on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC, and will launch day one on Xbox Game Pass.
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| A New Report Says Sony Is Making More PS4s To Deal With PS5 Shortage Posted: 12 Jan 2022 07:12 AM PST Anyone still trying to get a PlayStation 5 knows that actually doing so is a struggle. They disappear in seconds any time they go live online and finding one on store shelves feels as rare as winning the lottery. A new report from Bloomberg says that in order to deal with this shortage, Sony is producing more PlayStation 4 consoles. The publication reports that as Sony anticipates 2022 to be another year where the supply of PS5s struggles to keep up with the demand for the new-gen console, it's ramping up production of the PS4. Despite what some might have thought, Sony said it did not have plans to end production on the PS4, although rumors said 2021 would be its last year. Click here to watch embedded media"It is one of the best-selling consoles ever and there is always a crossover between generations," a Sony spokesperson told Bloomberg, confirming that PS4 production is continuing. What's important to note here is that based on what Sony has publicly said, it isn't making more PS4's solely in response to the PS5 shortage – it's just continuing production as usual, which includes the manufacturing of PS4s. However, Bloomberg reports that someone familiar with Sony's plans for console manufacturing said PS4 production was going to end in 2021, but now, due to the new-gen shortage, it is going to produce another million PS4s in 2022. As Bloomberg notes, the PS4 uses older chips so it won't interfere with PS5 production, and due to the console's age, it's easy to produce and cheaper to manufacture. Plus, many of the most exciting releases for the PS5 – looking at you, Horizon Forbidden West and God of War: Ragnarok – are coming to PS4, too, so if someone was holding out on a PS5 as their first Sony console to play these games, they can technically experience them on the PS4 (which will be much easier and cheaper to obtain). This news comes after numerous reports of continued production woes from not just Sony, but Nintendo and Microsoft as well. [Source: Bloomberg] Have you managed to buy a PS5? Let us know how hard it was to obtain in the comments below!
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| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl: Head To Snowpoint City For A Special Easter Egg Today Posted: 12 Jan 2022 06:07 AM PST Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have been out for a couple of months and while many players have likely already conquered the Elite Four and captured their mascot legendary, there's still plenty to do in the Sinnoh region remakes. For example, today only, you can visit Snowpoint City to witness a fun and classic easter egg. Back in the original Gen IV games, if you visited Snowpoint City on January 12, you'd see "diamond dust" fall all over the town. While the game doesn't necessarily point it out, it's an easter egg that nods to Pokémon director and composer, Junichi Masuda, as noted by Eurogamer. You can see the diamond dust in Serebii's Joe Merrick's video on Twitter below:
As Merrick points out, January 12 is not just a good day to see a cool easter egg, but it's a great day to go searching for rare Pokémon, or attempt to hatch some eggs that require a lot of steps. That's because in addition to diamond dust, January 12 brings encounter and hatch rate boosts to Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While diamond dust seems quite fantastical, it's actually rooted in reality – it happens here on Earth. Basically, it's just tiny ice crystals that fall like snow. Because of the nature of their aesthetic, diamond dust is an apt description. Be sure to visit Snowpoint City for a once-a-year easter egg (although diamond dust does fall on other days, today's the only day where it falls in honor of Masuda's birthday). You won't regret it! For more about these Sinnoh remakes, check out our thoughts on them in Game Informer's Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl review. If you're just getting started on your journey, check out these six tips for new trainers in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and be sure to pick up this Sinnoh Starter mystery gift available until May after that. Will you be making a trip to Snowpoint City today? Let us know in the comments below!
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| Kirby And The Forgotten Land Trailer Details Copy Abilities, Co-Op, March Release Date Revealed Posted: 12 Jan 2022 05:18 AM PST Kirby and the Forgotten Land was only just announced back in September of last year, but thanks to a new trailer for the upcoming game released today, we know it's releasing very soon. Kirby and the Forgotten Land was revealed as a Spring 2022 game, which could've placed its launch during any of the year's earlier months, but today's trailer reveals that it will be released on March 25. That's just around the corner and it seems Nintendo is ready to reveal even more details about the game, with a gameplay trailer that showcases Kirby's copy abilities and news that co-op will be a feature in the colorful (seemingly) post-apocalyptic title. Click here to watch embedded media"Join Kirby in an unforgettable journey on a delightful 3D platforming adventure," the trailer's description reads. "Explore in 3D stages as you discover a mysterious world. Inhale enemies to gain copy abilities like the new Drill and Ranger. Use these skills to save the kidnapped Waddle Dees from the Beast Pack. You can also bring along a second player to control Bandana Waddle Dee and take on the forgotten world." Breaking down some of the copy abilities we spotted in the trailer, it looks like Kirby can become a mage of sorts, a tornado, a hammer-wielding fighter (which Kirby can use to open up new areas), and of course, a sword-slashing warrior. As for what else is shown in the trailer, we also get a better look at the open-world-esque Forgotten Land. While it doesn't appear to be completely open, we do see Kirby flying to different parts of the map, be it a city or a beach, landing, and immediately jumping into the action. The stages look quite big, too – somewhere between a level from Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario Odyssey. We also get a glimpse at an impending faceoff between Kirby and Meta Knight. Kirby and the Forgotten Land is looking great, and this trailer has us pumped to play it on Switch on March 25. For more, check out the original Kirby and the Forgotten Land reveal and then read about why one Game Informer editor thinks this game, and many others, makes 2022 an exciting year to be a Nintendo fan. Are you excited for Kirby and the Forgotten Land? Let us know in the comments below!
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| Call Of Duty: Vanguard Attack On Titan Crossover Brings Levi Ackerman To The Battlefield Posted: 11 Jan 2022 03:11 PM PST There aren't any Titans to kill in Call of Duty: Vanguard or Warzone Pacific that we know of, but if there were, they'd be trembling soon because Levi Ackerman is joining the fray. Revealed today by way of an official Call of Duty blog post, this collaboration was cooked up to celebrate both the half-season mark of Vanguard and Warzone Pacific's first season and the final season of Attack on Titan, which just started this week. Starting January 20, players can purchase the Tracer Pack: Attack on Titan – Levi Edition Bundle.  "This 10-item store bundle is not just for superfans of the franchise; it has the style and firepower to become a leader among soldiers, just like Levi Ackerman," the blog post reads. "One of the most notable additions to this bundle is the 'Titan Piercer,' a weapon blueprint that models the very blade that can slay Titans. Made of ultrahard steel, the only material that can cut through Titan flesh, this one-edge blade is more than capable of slicing through squads with ease." Also available in this Levi-themed bundle is the legendary "Steel Cut" finishing movie as well as the "Vanguard-exclusive Vertical Maneuver" highlight intro and the "Ultrahard Steel" MVP highlight. There are two more weapons in this bundle as well: the legendary "Historia" SMG and "Ymir Curse" assault rifle weapon blueprints. "Ymir Curse is built for Operators who pride themselves on accurate shots downrange," the blog post reads. "With a nine-attachment configuration, near-zero horizontal recoil, and almost-maximum effective range and bullet velocity, this legendary weapon blueprint is phenomenal at a distance, especially when an Operator is mounted."  "As for the Historia SMG, it's best used by run-and-gun Operators who want to shoot accurately from the hip while sprinting. It includes a smaller-caliber magazine that offers better speed and a faster fire rate, which works great for Gung-Ho strategies in Vanguard's multiplayer and Warzone Pacific." The blog says that any Operator can wield these weapons, but that Sgt. Daniel of the Hellhounds will be fully geared up for battle with the "Survey Corps" Operator skin included in this Levi bundle. A price for the bundle was not announced, but if it's similar to other bundles of this kind, expect it to cost around $20. For more about this bundle, including a look at the weapon charms, and more about what's coming in the mid-season update, be sure to check out the full blog post. After that, check out Game Informer's Call of Duty Vanguard review and then read about how Activision is taking legal action against a large Call of Duty cheat distributor. Are you excited for this Levi Ackerman bundle? Let us know in the comments below!
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| Watch A Clumsy Bidoof Prove Its Worth In This Pokémon Animated Short Posted: 11 Jan 2022 01:45 PM PST The last few years have seen Bidoof emerge as one of the more popular Pokémon in the fandom. Not so much because The Pokémon Company has rolled out the red carpet of marketing for it as often as it does for Pikachu and Eevee. Nay, it has largely been fans that have willed Bidoof to the stratosphere thanks to a plethora of cute memes and tributes. The Pokémon Company is leaning into this movement, releasing a charming animated short called Bidoof's Big Stand. The eight-minute story stars a cowardly and accident-prone Bidoof who just can't seem to do anything right, much to the chagrin of its fellow Bidoof and other wild Pokémon. It's not until a chance meeting with a human trainer that it realizes its true potential. If you proudly identify as a Bidoof stan or simply need a cheerful pick-me-up, Bidoof's Big Stand offers a cute and humourous tip of the cap to the beaver-like critter. Click here to watch embedded mediaIf the animation has you pining to capture a Bidoof of your own, you're in luck! You can find plenty of them roaming the Sinnoh region in the recently released Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. With any luck, we'll also bump into a Hisiuan version in the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
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| Ezio's Assassin's Creed Adventures Coming To Switch In February Posted: 11 Jan 2022 01:00 PM PST Ubisoft has announced Ezio Auditore's adventures will finally grace the Switch next month. Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection will be available for Nintendo's portable hybrid console on February 17. The collection, which was originally released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2016, features the Italian Renaissance trilogy starring the aforementioned Ezio Auditore. Included in the package are Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin's Creed Revelations, all with enhanced visuals and now Switch-specific features. Other than the apparent new portability of these games, developer Virtuous has added support for HD Rumble, a touch screen interface, and an optimized HUD. Click here to watch embedded mediaCheck out the trailer above to see how the second generation of Assassin's Creed translates to the Switch. If it's looking like an offer you can't refuse, it'll only set you back $39.99. Otherwise, grab The Ezio Collection on PlayStation or Xbox if you can't wait a few weeks. Which game of the Ezio trilogy is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
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| Posted: 11 Jan 2022 11:30 AM PST In an audio interview with Kara Swisher of The New York Times, head of Xbox Phil Spencer spoke on a variety of topics surrounding the Xbox brand, including his company's response to the myriad of ongoing sexual harassment, assault, and gender discrimination lawsuits at Activision Blizzard. Spencer had previously told his staff in an open letter that leadership was "evaluating all aspects of our relationship with Activision Blizzard and making ongoing proactive adjustments." He clarified what that means as well as the publisher's larger philosophy on maintaining relationships with partners embroiled in workplace controversy. When asked to describe how exactly Xbox has changed its business practices with Activision, Spencer stated he couldn't publicly discuss specifics, only saying, "We have changed how we do certain things with them, and they're aware of that." He went on to say that Xbox's mission isn't about "virtue-shaming" other studios, admitting that its own record on such matters "is not spotless." Spencer specifically brings up Xbox's 2016 Game Developers Conference dance party that featured half-naked female performers, an event he later apologized for. He states that the situation served as a catalyst for the team to become better. Because of this, Spencer says he wants to use those lessons to focus on helping companies improve their culture rather than to strictly punish them. "And I really, honestly, I apply most of my energy in that space. And any of the partners that are out there, if I can learn from them or I can help with the journey that we've been on [at] Xbox by sharing what we've done and what we've built, I'd much rather do that than get into any kind of finger-wagging at other companies that are out there." "I don't think my job is out there to punish other companies," says Spencer.  Swisher then pressed Spencer on how Xbox can reconcile doing business with a company whose allegations include multiple counts of sexual assault against female employees, including rape, as well as one reported instance of suicide due to sexual harassment. Especially when CEO Bobby Kotick evidently knew of these issues for years and did little to address them while obscuring the details from shareholders. In terms of responding to these issues in a broader sense, Spencer believes that change requires making workers feel safe about reporting toxic practices by maintaining open lines of communication. "And to get there, it's a cultural effort of how do you build that trust so people feel like when they whistle blow, when they raise their hand about topics that are going on, that they won't face repercussions," says Spencer. "Rather, they'll see action." Addressing Bobby Kotick's allegations, Spencer explains, "I would say in terms of individuals that are in leadership positions at other companies, it's not obviously our position to judge who the CEOs are. Like, CEOs are chosen by shareholders and boards. At Xbox, I know who I'm accountable for here in terms of the business and the operations. It's my teams here, my management chain. And that's the thing that we continue to focus on, is to try to grow. And whether that's us sharing, again, the experiences that we have with other partners, if we can help them on their own journey or on the things that happen in our own teams." The full interview is worth a read/listen as Spencer also discusses Xbox's approach to battling online player toxicity, using Xbox Live as a platform for free speech, his opinion on the metaverse, the pandemic's effect on Xbox sales (spoiler: it's been very good), and gaming as an addiction. As previously mentioned, 2021 had not been kind to Activision Blizzard. It has spent the last several months battling major lawsuits from the State of California and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the latter of which it recently settled with), as well as an exodus of employees, either due to being perpetrators of abuse or as victims of it. The publisher is also dealing with a weeks-long strike at Call of Duty support studio Raven Software due to QA team lay-offs. [Source: The New York Times]
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| How Guerrilla Games Is Taking Aloy To New Places In Horizon Forbidden West Posted: 11 Jan 2022 11:00 AM PST Aloy's resilience, passion, and curiosity made players fall in love with her in Horizon Zero Dawn. For the sequel, she's not the same underdog we watched come into her own. She's proven herself, becoming a hero in the eyes of the populace around her. Of course, once you succeed and earn the title of "greatest machine hunter in the land," the pressure's on to live up to people's expectations, and Aloy isn't going to have it easy this time around. When it rains, it pours. Six months after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn, Aloy heads westward to find out more about a mysterious Red Blight, which signals the degradation of the biosphere. If the stakes weren't already high enough, her journey to new soil also brings new threats. This time peril comes not just in the form of harrowing machines, but also a dangerous rival tribe that can likewise override mechanical beasts. Throw in a mysterious incoming storm, and Aloy has her work cut out for her. Guerrilla Games saw Aloy's newfound fame as an intriguing narrative thread to explore in Forbidden West. During our demos, we often saw Aloy reminded of her legacy and showered with praise. She's no longer an outcast that's scoffed at; she's treated as a savior and put on a pedestal, but has the biggest task of all on her plate: ensuring Earth has a future. "It's a lot of pressure, and that pressure just gets more and more intense as the game goes on," says narrative director Benjamin McCaw. "It actually winds up being a big part of her arc as a character ... this idea of carrying the world on her shoulders."  Aloy has always been self-reliant because she's had to be. After all, being shunned by your own tribe doesn't make you eager to depend on others for support. But with so much more on her shoulders, it might be time for Aloy to let more people in and accept help where she can find it. This conflict of "leaning on others" versus "trying to do everything herself" will continue to surface in Forbidden West. "On one level, Aloy really wants to live up to the example of Elisabet Sobeck, her mother figure, and do whatever it takes to stop the blight and save the world, even if that means doing it single-handedly," McCaw says. "But she'll also discover that it's lonely being a savior. And ultimately, it's the connections with others that make the world worth saving in the first place." Aloy has always had an aloofness to her, but seeing Guerrilla explore more of the loneliness that comes with success has us intrigued. McCaw hinted more about this recently on PlayStation Blog: "Although she has made many friends during her adventures, she still feels like an outsider, and the truth is, she has no real home. These aspects of her character will be explored in depth as she ventures into the mysterious frontier of the Forbidden West." It's probably no coincidence Guerrilla keeps reiterating that this entry focuses much more on giving you more time with Aloy's companions, hoping players form stronger connections with them than in Zero Dawn. We're anticipating this not only gives more weight to Aloy's relationships, but also brings out new facets to her personality. New experiences often bring change, and we can't wait to see how this journey challenges Aloy to grow as a person. Where would you like to see the character of Aloy go in Horizon Forbidden West? Still want more on Horizon Forbidden West? Check out our online cover hub below, which details the new machines and improvements coming to the game.
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| Lego Delays Overwatch 2 Set Due To Ongoing Activision Blizzard Controversy Posted: 11 Jan 2022 10:04 AM PST Lego has delayed the upcoming release of its Lego Overwatch 2 Titan set as a result of the ongoing Activision Blizzard controversy. This news comes by way of TheBrickFan, which reports that Lego is pausing the release of the set in order to review its partnership with Activision Blizzard in light of allegations against the company and leadership within. The latest of said controversy was revealed back in December when a current Blizzard employee said in a press conference that she was demoted after filing an HR complaint about sexual harassment. Here's Lego's official statement regarding the indefinite delay: "We are currently reviewing our partnership with Activision Blizzard, given concerns about the progress being made to address continuing allegations regarding workplace culture, especially the treatment of female colleagues and creating a diverse and inclusive environment. While we complete the review, we will pause the release of a Lego Overwatch 2 product which was due to go on sale on February 1, 2022."This decision by Lego must have come in the final hour because the Overwatch 2 Titan set was due out very soon. With less than three weeks to go, it wouldn't be surprising if these boxes were already being sent to retailers before today. There's no word on when this set will be released or when Lego's review of its partnership with Activision Blizzard will be complete. [Source: TheBrickFan]
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| New Destiny 2: The Witch Queen Trailer Showcases The Dangers Of Savathun’s Throne World Posted: 11 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST Bungie revealed way back in 2020 that Savathûn, the sister of Oryx from Destiny's The Taken King, would be getting her own expansion and last year, the studio revealed that our guardians would be taking on The Witch Queen come February. With February 22 right around the corner, Bungie's marketing for the upcoming Destiny 2 expansion has been ramping up and today, the company released a trailer all about the new exploration area in it: Savathûn's Throne World. As seen in other trailers, Savathûn is a big fan of anything with a dark hue of green and her throne world is no different. However, all is not as it seems there as Savathûn considers the area to essentially be an extension of her mind. Click here to watch embedded media"Tell me, oh honored guest," Savathûn says in the trailer. "Why would you want to escape? This Throne World is indistinguishable from my own mind, Guardian. Every step taken, every bullet fired, I keep and count them all. It's not too late to turn around." That's not foreboding at all… As you can see in the trailer above, the Throne World looks quite unique compared to other places we've visited in Destiny 2, with a distinct horror feel to it all. It also looks quite diverse, too, which is exciting. The trailer's description mentions Savathûn's "glistening palace" and "gnarled roots in the swamp" so it sounds like there's a journey ahead of us before actually reaching Savathûn's Throne. We'll all learn more when The Witch Queen hits Destiny 2 on February 22. While waiting for this expansion, check out Game Informer's Lore Refresher on Savathûn and then read about how you'll need need the digital deluxe edition of The Witch Queen to play through its dungeons, less you want to purchase them separately. Watch this narrative-focused trailer for Destiny 2: The Witch Queen released back in December after that. Are you excited for The Witch Queen expansion? Let us know in the comments below!
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| Far: Changing Tides Arrives In Early March Posted: 11 Jan 2022 09:00 AM PST Far: Changing Tides, the sequel to 2018's Far: Lone Sails, has secured a release date, and it's not too far (eh?) away. The meditative post-apocalyptic adventure sets sail on March 1. Like its predecessor, Changing Tides tasks players with piloting and maintaining a large makeshift vessel, this time to explore a flooded world. Along the way, you'll explore underwater cities and other vestiges of humanity while solving environmental puzzles in the ship or on foot. The adolescent protagonist can dive beneath the surface to recover scrap and other materials as well. Like in the first game, don't be surprised if you grow attached to your ship as you constantly tinker with it in order to overcome new obstacles. A new release date trailer offers a fresh, albeit brief, look at what's in store. Click here to watch embedded mediaFar: Changing Tides will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. You can read our review of the first game here.
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| Days Gone Director Details What A Sequel Would Have Included Posted: 11 Jan 2022 08:20 AM PST In an interview with USA Today gaming verticle For The Win (FTW), former Sony Bend Studio director Jeff Ross gave more details on what he would have liked to see in the sequel to Days Gone that was never greenlit. Ross spoke rather freely with FTW about his philosophies of creating games, stories from the creation of Days Gone, and what he felt went right and wrong with the project. He also spoke about iteration in games, which he was hoping to do in a potential sequel to the open-world zombie/biker adventure. Comparing Days Gone to other popular franchises, Ross points out how the Batman: Arkham series or Uncharted build upon the ideas and features as the installments go on. "So you create the minimum viable entry and then hope you get to build the second one," Ross says, "Because you're not arguing over the foundations, you're arguing over the epic new ideas that you're gonna be putting into it." The potential sequel to Days Gone would have been the director's chance "to create the definitive version," an opportunity to keep and expand on what worked and change what didn't. It looks like Deacon would have stayed in the spotlight for Days Gone 2 along with his wife, Sarah. Ross mused in with FTW about the direction the couple would take moving forward. "Yeah, they're back together, but maybe they're not happy," Jeff said. "Well, what can we do with that? Okay, we were married before the apocalypse, but what about the future?" They'd also have their hands on some more high-end NERO tech utilized by the government, bringing the survivor's combat capabilities up a step. Ross also revealed a no-brainer element to carry forward, saying, "We would have kept the bike, obviously." As for improvements to the original's systems, animals were to have more to do in the wilderness. Ross wanted to give bears actions like digging through trash or expanding on how wolves would scour for prey. Human NPCs, enemies and allies alike, were also meant to have more dynamic behaviors. As for improving what Deacon can do, Jeff expressed that the main character would have been able to swim, an action not possible due to technical limitations in the first game. For all kinds of information on Jeff Ross' experience at Sony Bend and his thoughts on game development and Days Gone, read the full interview conducted and written by Kirk McKeand at USA Today's FTW. Want more Days Gone stories? Good, because Jeff Ross has been talking plenty about the game in the last week. Read about the potential sales figures of Days Gone, and the pitched open-world Resistance title that never came to be. [Source: USA Today FTW]
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| Sega Opens New Studio Led By Former Phantasy Star Online 2 Producer Posted: 11 Jan 2022 07:14 AM PST Sega has announced that it has established a new studio called Sega Sapporo Studio. This studio was formally created on December 1, 2021, as a "second development base in Japan," as first reported by Gematsu. Sapporo was established to focus on new software development and debugging. It will be led by former Phantasy Star Online 2 chief producer Takaya Segawa, who was promoted to a senior corporate position for Sega in April of last year. Click here to watch embedded media"Under the policy of continuing to take on the challenge of creating even more innovative content and providing the world with new and exciting experiences, we will use the know-how that Sega has accumulated over its long history to participate in the development of entertainment that we will present to the world from the attractive city of Sapporo," Segawa said, as translated by Video Games Chronicle. "Sega Sapporo Studio will strive to provide a moving experience to customers, and to create a studio that values its staff." As the name suggests, Sapporo is located in the city of Sapporo and the studio will hire locally to build a staff dedicated to designing, programming, and debugging game software. Sapporo is not requiring all of its workers to relocate to the Sapporo-based office as Gematsu reports that "Sega hopes to expand employment opportunities for those who would like to work in their native prefecture." As expected with the creation of a new studio, Sapporo already has a website, which can be viewed here. VGC notes that Sega has multiple in-house development studios like Sonic Team and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (Yakuza, Judgment), but that they all work out of Sega's main development base in Tokyo. Sapporo will serve as another development base akin to the original. For more about Sega, read about how it and Microsoft created a "strategic alliance" to create "large-scale global games" in November of last year, and then check out the latest trailer for Sonic Frontiers. Read about how Sonic Frontiers was originally due out in 2021 for the series' 30th anniversary after that. [Source: Gematsu] Are there any dormant franchises you hope Sega's new studio brings back? Let us know in the comments below!
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