Game Informer |
- Enter for a Chance to Win a THE BATMAN Digital Movie
- Xbox Series X/S Was Best-Selling Console In Dollar Sales In US Last Month And Overall First Quarter
- Dying Light 2 New Game Plus Update Out This Week
- Ubisoft Announces Project Q, A Team-Based Arena Combat Game
- Several Private Equity Firms Reportedly Looking Into Ubisoft Acquisition
- Raven Software: National Labor Relations Board Rules QA Workers Can Vote Whether To Unionize This Month
- Diablo Immortal PC First Look – Gameplay + Interview
- Diablo Immortal Hits Mobile Devices And PC This June With Crossplay And Cross-Progression
| Enter for a Chance to Win a THE BATMAN Digital Movie Posted: 25 Apr 2022 10:00 AM PDT
From the studio: This is your opportunity to own a THE BATMAN digital movie, yours to keep forever, all you need to do is enter below by 5/4/2022 for your chance to win. We have 10 movies available. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. THE BATMAN is rated PG-13. Full rules are available with each entry method below. Good Luck! MUST REDEEM DIGITAL MOVIE OFFER BY 10/31/2022. Consumer must reside in the U.S. and register for a digital service provider account (go to wb.com/RedeemMovie for a list of digital service providers (e.g., Movies Anywhere). May only include HD Main Feature. NOT COMPATIBLE WITH ALL DEVICES. SOME DISPLAY RESOLUTIONS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING OR DOWNLOAD ON ALL DEVICES FROM ALL DIGITAL SERVICES. Consult your digital service provider for compatible devices, available display resolutions, streaming and download capability and Terms of Service. Ultimate display resolution on playback is dependent upon connection and device characteristics, including screen resolution. High-speed Internet connection required. Go to wb.com/RedeemMovie for additional details, requirements and technical support. Neither Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. nor any affiliate is responsible for maintaining any digital service. THIS DIGITAL MOVIE OFFER MAY NOT BE RESOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERREDEnter the giveaway
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| Xbox Series X/S Was Best-Selling Console In Dollar Sales In US Last Month And Overall First Quarter Posted: 25 Apr 2022 09:47 AM PDT
March 2022 was a great month for Microsoft because the Xbox Series X/S was the best-selling hardware platform last month in the U.S. in terms of dollar sales. It was also the best-selling console in dollar sales for the entire first quarter of the year. This news comes by way of The NPD Group's Mat Piscatella in his usual monthly NPD numbers round-up. While Xbox Series X/S took home the gold medal in terms of dollar sales, the Switch sold the most units in March 2022 and in the first quarter of the year. Xbox's great March sales led to March 2022 being an all-time high March record for the hardware platform. NPD reports that previous Xbox bests for March were set in March 2011 (in terms of unit sales) and in March 2014 (in terms of dollar sales). Overall, hardware dollar sales dropped 24% in March 2022 compared to March 2021, to $515 million in total. First quarter sales reached $1.2 billion, which is down 15% compared to the first quarter of 2021. This decline in hardware sales led to an overall decline in video game spending in March 2022. "March 2022 spending across video game hardware, content, and accessories declined 15% vs YA, to $4.9 billion," Piscatella writes on Twitter. "Declines were seen across all major categories of spend. First quarter 2022 spending fell 8% vs Q1 2021, to $13.9 billion." On the software side of things, despite big new tentpole releases like Gran Turismo 7, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, and more, Elden Ring came out on top. Taking the throne of best-selling game of March 2022 after being the best-selling game in February too, Elden Ring experienced "double-digit percentage dollar sales growth compared to its Feb 2022 launch," The NPD Group says. It was first place for dollar sales on PlayStation and Xbox platforms, and PC as well. Gran Turismo 7, which debuted near the start of March, was the second best-selling game of March 2022, ranking second (to Elden Ring) on PlayStation platforms. Its launch set a new all-time launch month dollar sales record for the franchise, according to NPD. Here's a look at the top 20 best-selling video games of 2022:
This list does not include digital sales. For more, be sure to read Piscatella's entire NPD thread. After that, read Game Informer's Elden Ring review and then read Game Informer's Gran Turismo 7 review. |
| Dying Light 2 New Game Plus Update Out This Week Posted: 25 Apr 2022 09:02 AM PDT
Techland has announced that Update 1.3.0 will hit Dying Light 2 Stay Human this week, and it brings with it a fan-requested feature, New Game Plus. More specifically, this update will hit the zombie parkour title this Wednesday, April 27. It will not only bring New Game Plus to Dying Light 2, but address numerous co-op issues and add completely new endgame content as well. Called New Game+ Mode, it will be available to all players who have completed the base game and automatically includes new scaling, new difficulty options, greater bonuses for completing quests, and more. "In New Game+, players will keep the character progression of their initial adventure, while enjoying many new rewards exclusive to the mode," a press release reads. "Find 30 new inhibitors, well-hidden and testing every ability, to maximize Aiden's health and stamina. Enemies now scale their challenge to Aiden's level, but for those seeking a more challenging skirmish, Techland has prepared encounters with golden marks. "Those special battles will sorely test even the bravest Pilgrims out with unique enemies and unexpected behavior. And for the ultimate challenge, find the quest 'Something Big Has Been Here.' New infected with new attacks await." Techland says many of the new encounters in Dying Light 2 New Game+ will reward players with greater "Legendary" weapon rarity and valuable items. Plus, a new Platinum medal for parkour challenges, with goal times based on the community's best results, has been added. "A host of co-op-related bugs have been patched, alongside a few death loops," the press release reads. "And for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X players, a new FOV slider feature allows perspective-changing in-game." While waiting for Update 1.3.0 to hit Dying Light 2 this week, read Game Informer's Dying Light 2 review, and then check out this interview with the game's lead designer about what's in store for the game's future. After that, read about the recent new-gen patch that hit Dying Light 2. Are you excited for New Game Plus in Dying Light 2? Let us know in the comments below! |
| Ubisoft Announces Project Q, A Team-Based Arena Combat Game Posted: 25 Apr 2022 08:20 AM PDT
Ubisoft has officially revealed Project Q, a multiplayer arena battler that leaked last year. In September 2021, a list of upcoming PC games was datamined and leaked from Nvidia's GeForce Now. As Eurogamer reported at the time, Project Q was one of four codenamed titles listed by Ubisoft, who issued a DCMA takedown of the list once it hit online. The French publisher confirmed Project Q's existence on Twitter on Saturday, stating that the game is in early development and that players can register for upcoming gameplay tests. The timeframe for these tests is unknown. Ubisoft subsequently clarified in the same Twitter thread that Project Q is not a battle royale and will feature several PvP modes. It also states there are no plans to add NFTs to the game, evidently a concern given Ubisoft's enthusiastic foray into the concept with its ill-received Quartz platform.
Leaked playtest footage from Exputer shows a couple of matches from the game. It appears to be a colorful third-person shooter not unlike Fortnite with zany weapons such as a fireworks gun and melee items such as a staff and even Thor's hammer, Mjolnir. According to Project Q's registration site, the game is launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Ubisoft Connect. It does not have a release window. In other recent Ubisoft news, several private firms are apparently looking to acquire the publisher. In terms of other new multiplayer titles, a new Ghost Recon game has entered development. |
| Several Private Equity Firms Reportedly Looking Into Ubisoft Acquisition Posted: 25 Apr 2022 07:39 AM PDT
Ubisoft could be the next company to be purchased amidst ongoing industry-wide acquisitions that include Microsoft buying Activision Blizzard, Sony buying Bungie, and Take-Two acquiring mobile giant Zynga. That's because Bloomberg is reporting that multiple private equity firms, including Blackstone Inc. and KKR & Co., have been studying the French business, eyeing it for potential acquisition, according to sources the publication says are people with knowledge of the matter. However, despite this, Ubisoft hasn't reportedly entered into serious talks or negotiation proceedings with these potential purchasers and Bloomberg's sources say it's unclear whether Ubisoft's major shareholder is even wiling to pursue a transaction such as this in the first place. That major shareholder is Ubisoft chairman Yves Guillemot, who owns a 15% stake in the Assassin's Creed and Far Cry publisher. In the past year, Ubisoft's stock has fallen roughly 41%, bringing its overall market value down to about $5.2 billion. Bloomberg says its sources say "deliberations are at an early stage, and there's no certainty any of the suitors will proceed with offers." Ubisoft told Bloomberg that it has built a strong portfolio and is positioned "to capitalize on emerging opportunities amid rapid growth in the industry," although it declined to comment specifically on any acquisition interest. Since news of this potential acquisition interest broke, Ubisoft's stock has risen by 11%, as reported by Video Games Chronicle. Ubisoft could attempt to fend off a potential acquisition like it did back in 2018 when it avoided a Vivendi takeover. It remains to be seen whether Ubisoft wants to be acquired or if it's prepared to stave off such a purchase. If Ubisoft ends up being acquired this year, it would join a lineup of other purchases that have largely defined gaming in 2022 thus far. It started with Take-Two Interactive, the parent company behind the Grand Theft Auto series, announcing back in January that it was acquiring mobile giant Zynga for nearly $13 billion. Then, a week later, Microsoft announced that it was acquiring Activision Blizzard, the company behind Overwatch and Call of Duty, for a colossal $68.7 billion, and then two weeks later, Sony revealed it was buying Bungie for $3.6 billion. A few weeks later, Sony also announced it had acquired Jade Raymond's new studio, Haven. [Source: Bloomberg] |
| Posted: 25 Apr 2022 06:23 AM PDT
Raven Software quality assurance workers at Activision Blizzard will get the chance to vote whether or not to unionize starting this month, after a ruling from the National Labor Relations Board. This news comes by way of Polygon, which reports that the NLRB ruled Friday that the 21-person QA unit in question is eligible to unionize after Raven's parent company, Activision Blizzard, challenged the effort, attempting to make it so that the entire 230-person team must vote on the decision. Now, the 21 people in question can begin voting once ballots, which are going to be mailed out on April 29, have been received. The ballots will be counted on May 23 and if a supermajority of yes is reached, the Game Workers Alliance union will be official and can begin negotiations with Activision Blizzard. This news comes months after at least a dozen QA contractors at Raven were laid off. Following that, QA employees at the studio began to strike in response, and soon after that, 34 workers attempted to unionize. Raven asked Activision Blizzard to voluntarily recognize this union by January 25 but hours after the deadline, an Activision Blizzard spokesperson said it had declined to do so, citing that the two parties could not reach an agreement. Earlier this month, Activision Blizzard converted all of its U.S.-based QA testers to full-time employees with benefits and increased wages, but the company said current Raven workers would not receive the new pay initiatives, "due to legal obligations under the National Labor Relations Board." "Whether Raven workers choose to unionize has nothing to do with the salary increases elsewhere for Activision's QA workers," an Activision Blizzard spokesperson told Bloomberg at the time. Many, including Game Workers Alliance secretary-treasurer Sara Steffens, have stated that this move by Activision Blizzard is the result of Raven's push for better working conditions and pay, but Steffens said "it's especially galling then that Activision has excluded Raven Software QA workers, who have been at the forefront of this effort, from these benefits," in a statement to Fanbyte earlier this month. In response to the NLRB giving Raven the green light to vote on whether or not to unionize, an Activision Blizzard spokesperson told Polygon that the company is reviewing its potential appeal options. "While we respect the NLRB process, we are disappointed that a decision that could significantly impact the future of our entire studio will be made by fewer than 10% of our employees," the spokesperson told the publication. "We believe a direct relationship with team members is the best path to achieving individual and company goals. We are reviewing legal options regarding a potential appeal." As Polygon notes, the Game Workers Alliance tweeted "We are so proud to announce that the NLRB ruled that our unit is eligible for election. Thank you to everyone supporting our campaign since our initial strike up until this very moment. Time for democracy." Amidst all this, Microsoft's nearly $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard grows closer but Microsoft has said it will not interfere with unionization efforts happening at the company. For more, read Game Informer's original coverage of the Raven Software layoffs and then catch up on the Raven Software strike that happened as a result, including Activision management's response to it. [Source: Polygon] |
| Diablo Immortal PC First Look – Gameplay + Interview Posted: 25 Apr 2022 04:40 AM PDT
Platform: PC, iOS Diablo Immortal was revealed by Blizzard Entertainment four years ago, in 2018, and when it was announced, it was said to be a mobile-only game for iOS and Android devices. That remained the case for quite some time, but in recent betas, the team came to realize that if it truly wanted to embrace the spirit of bringing a Diablo experience to more players than ever before, Diablo Immortal needed to come to PC, too. And now, Blizzard has announced that it is, and the team has revealed an official release date, too. More specifically, it will hit iOS and Android on June 2, and that same day, the game will hit PC in Open Beta. Now, don't fret – the entire Diablo Immortal experience will be live on PC despite it being an Open Beta. The team is just looking for feedback and suggestions on this version of the game. Game Informer learned that and so much more by sitting down to interview Diablo Immortal game director Wyatt Cheng and the head of the Diablo franchise, Rod Fergusson, about today's exciting news. You can listen to that entire interview in the latest installment of New Gameplay Today, which features more than 20 minutes of new Diablo Immortal footage, including video captured from mobile gameplay, PC gameplay, and a few minutes of footage from both, running side-by-side. If you're excited about Diablo Immortal, hopefully this new look featuring never-before-seen gameplay can tide you over until the game's release, which is set to happen on June 2 when it hits iOS and Android devices, as well as a PC Open Beta the same day. For more about Diablo Immortal, be sure to head to the official Game Informer Diablo Immortal hub, which contains first looks at the game, news stories, and more. For more previews of some of the biggest games of 2022 and beyond, be sure to head over to our YouTube page for early looks at Cult of the Lamb, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers, Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong, Forspoken, and so much more! Thanks for watching today's video. |
| Diablo Immortal Hits Mobile Devices And PC This June With Crossplay And Cross-Progression Posted: 25 Apr 2022 04:40 AM PDT
Blizzard has revealed that its Diablo MMOARPG, Diablo Immortal, will finally be released to mobile devices on June 2 and in a surprise announcement, it will hit PC in open beta on the same day. First announced in 2018, Diablo Immortal is not just the first Diablo game to hit mobile devices – iOS and Android – but it's also the first MMO for the series. Blizzard has also revealed that Diablo Immortal will feature crossplay and cross-progression on day one, meaning you can end a session on PC and pick right back up where you were on your mobile device. Diablo Immortal will be available on June 2 in most regions, with some Asia-Pacific regions gaining access a few weeks later. "The demons of the Burning Hells are ready to be slain in the most expansive Diablo game that Blizzard has ever released," Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Ybarra said. "As Blizzard's first game designed from the ground up for mobile, it was important to us to deliver an experience worthy of the franchise, so we did a lot of testing, incorporated a lot of feedback, and created a game that we're very excited to share with players. We're looking forward to unleashing this epic new entry in the Diablo franchises, and we can't wait to join everyone in Sanctuary." While the PC version of Diablo Immortal will be in open beta on June 2, Blizzard says this version of the game "will contain all features, including crossplay and cross-progression, and upon conclusion, all progress will be maintained." Diablo Immortal game director Wyatt Cheng and Diablo's franchise head, Rod Fergusson, sat down with Game Informer to talk about today's news, including the PC open beta, the first-ever PvP experience in Diablo, the game's story, and more. You can listen to that interview while watching new Diablo Immortal gameplay in the latest installment of New Gameplay Today. In Diablo Immortal, players will choose between six classic Diablo classes – Barbarian, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Monk, Necromancer, and Wizard – as they embark on a journey through eight unique zones in Sanctuary as well as the city of Westmarch. New and familiar Diablo characters, like Deckard Cain, will make appearances throughout the base story that takes place between the end of Diablo II and the start of Diablo III. "Diablo Immortal features an MMOARPG social experience that's completely new to the series," a press release reads. "Players will share a massive world with others as they explore Sanctuary, form Warbands with up to eight members to take on group challenges such as the intense Helliquary raid bosses, and join Clans with up to 150 friends to earn challenging Clan Achievements. The game also features a robust faction-based PvP system. With the Cycle of Strife, players can band together to fight in an ongoing war in which the top player of the server will earn the Eternal Crown to become the leader of the Immortals. This puts them in the position of having to continuously defend their reign across a series of modes including brutal 1v30 showdowns."            Diablo Immortal is a free-to-play MMOARPG that hits iOS and Android devices on June 2. The same day, it hits PC in Open Beta, and the game will feature optional in-game purchases. You can listen to the game's director talk about those purchases here. "Over 30 million players have already pre-registered across all platforms to gain access as soon as the game launches, preparing themselves for the battles to come," a press release reads. "All players will receive the stunning Horadrim Cosmetics Set to celebrate this significant milestone when the game launches. This is just the beginning, as new content will be released regularly to players for free in the years to come, including new zones, dungeons, and character classes." For more about Diablo Immortal, be sure to watch the latest New Gameplay Today, which features more than 20 minutes of new gameplay on both mobile devices and PC. Are you excited for Diablo immortal? Let us know in the comments below! |
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