Tag: News

I am a big Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fan. That whole world that Tolkien created fills me with an immense amount of wonder and awe. While I don’t fancy coming face to face with an orc anytime soon, I would relish the opportunity to explore Middle-earth with my backpack full of lembas bread and a pint from the Prancing Pony in hand.
That is why when I was scrolling through X the other day, I stopped and did a brief double take. In a welcome change to some of the rubbish on social media these days, my algorithm had presented me with a beautiful, photorealistic re-imagining of Lord Of The Rings’ The Argonath scene, made in Unreal Engine 5.
For a tranquil minute and a half, I was transported from my desk to a small boat on the River Anduin, as the two monumental statues made famous in Fellowship of the Ring watched over me. After playing the video again, I quickly got in touch with the footage’s creator Micah Malinics to find out more about his project, and – importantly – if I would ever get the chance to play through this fan-made recreation myself.

PlayStation live-service Concord won’t sell you a battle pass – would it be better if it did?

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This week on the Eurogamer Newscast, we discuss the downsides and upsides of the video game battle pass.

In a week where PlayStation live-service hopeful Concord trumpeted the fact it won’t sell you a battle pass as a marketing beat, and Apex Legends dialled back (some of) its battle pass changes following fan fury, we consider the options available to video game makers hoping to ensure their latest releases keep being played – and paid for – well after release.
Would more people play Concord if it was a free-to-play title with a battle pass? Or is it better served by being a £40 launch? Not everyone can promise they’ll never sell post-launch content, as Stardew Valley’s creator did this week. But there’s clearly a balance to be struck to ensure players don’t feel fleeced, particularly when full-priced launches like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League are getting in on the act too. Joining me this week are Eurogamer’s Ed Nightingale and Victoria Kennedy to discuss.

PlayStation live-service Concord won’t sell you a battle pass – would it be better if it did?

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Lego has revealed a 2D-style Super Mario World set featuring Mario and Yoshi.

The set is viewable today at San Diego Comic-Con, and official product images of it are already circulating online (thanks, Jay’s Brick Blog).

Reportedly, the set will launch on 1st October and feature 1215 pieces. We’ll update again when it’s officially announced with details of pricing.

The set is the latest entry into Lego’s adult-orientated Super Mario range, following earlier impressive sets such as the fold-out ? Block and Bowser statue.

This time, the focus is firmly on Nintendo’s earlier heritage once again – with a design based on 1990 SNES platformer Super Mario World.

There’s a new Super Mario World Mario and Yoshi sprite set on display at LEGO’s booth at SDCC(This is assumed as the other cases have sets in them) https://t.co/Eo3LtcDAHo pic.twitter.com/TRyY9pLNxA— PenPlays (@PenPlays_) July 25, 2024…

The internet was all in a flap last week after Microsoft promised to place Deadpool’s pert posterior into the hands of a lucky few by way of a new limited edition controller. But if red spandex doesn’t do it for you, there’s now a second superhero butt in town, courtesy of a bright yellow, Wolverine-themed Xbox Wireless Controller.

Both controllers (as you’ve probably already guessed) have been created to promote Marvel’s upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie, which arrives in cinemas across the world later this week. And to coincide with its release, there’s a global sweepstake going on at the moment via Twitter/X for anyone wanting to get their hands on those superbuns.

Full rules can be found on Microsoft’s website, but the gist is you’ll need to follow the official Xbox account then repost one of its designated promotional posts containing the hashtag #xboxcheekycontrollersweepstakes before the competition closes on 11th August.

Image credit: Microsoft

Unfortunately, Microsoft is being pretty tight with its butts, and only one winner will walk away with Deadpool and Wolverine’s plastic posteriors when the competition ends. On the plus sid…

Sega has unveiled a first look at two new Shadow x Sonic Generations levels, delving into the Sonic nemesis’ past.

As with the original Sonic Generations, the new separate Shadow campaign will reimagine stages from Shadow’s past. So far we’ve seen the Space Colony level, inspired by Sonic Adventure 2’s Final Chase.

Now, in a new teaser video comparing old and new, two more stages have been revealed based on zones from Sonic Heroes and 2006’s Sonic the Hedgehog.

Sonic x Shadow Generations is pure 2000s nostalgia

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With the closure of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 digital store looming, the company has announced a final batch of heavy discounts on earlier-gen titles, as well as the release of a new Xbox Series X/S dynamic background, inspired by the Xbox 360’s much-loved “blades” dashboard design.

Microsoft announced the impending closure of its Xbox 360 digital store last August, revealing it would no longer be possible to purchase games, DLC, or other entertainment content via the Xbox 360 console or web-based Xbox 360 Marketplace from 29th July this year.

It did, however, confirm previously purchased Xbox 360 games and DLC would remain downloadable and playable – including via backward compatibility on modern consoles – even after the store’s closure. And since then, it’s been working with third-party publisher to offer heavy price reductions on its digital Xbox 360 catalogue.

Takes you back, doesn’t it?Enjoy some sweet nostalgia with the new Xbox 360 Blades dynamic background, available today. pic.twitter.com/AYElkktM9K— Xbox (@Xbox) July 16, 2024…

The early access beta for Firewalk’s 5v5 sci-fi shooter Concord has been extended.
The beta – which was initially meant to wrap up last night – will now run until this evening, culminating at 8pm UK time on 15th July.
This beta includes four maps to try out: Freewater, Star Chamber, Water Hazard, Shock Risk. It also has three modes: Clash Point, Trophy Hunt and Cargo Run. In addition, all 16 Freegunners (the player characters) are available to put through their paces during the beta.

Concord – Gameplay Trailer | PS5 Games

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UPDATE 11/7/24: Following yesterday’s Famitsu reveal, Arc System Works has released a first trailer for Double Dragon Revive, its 3D take on the long-running beat-’em-up series.

As per the accompanying English press release, Double Dragon Revive promises “renewed, stylish character graphics” with arcade favourites recreated in 3D, plus the “ultimate belt-scroll experience”, and “thrilling strategic action”.

“Experience the same simple and intuitive gameplay,” the studio writes, “with controls and balance refined for the modern era.” It adds Revive’s combat will require “adaptation and variety” and is “more than a simple button-masher”, encouraging players to “delve into the strategy by learning enemy patterns and finding the most effective attack timings.” There’s also promise of weapons and area gimmicks enabling players to “seize the upper hand in battle”.

『Double Dragon Revive』 – Announcement Trailer

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Piranha Bytes, the Embracer-owned German studio behind the Gothic, Risen and ELEX series, has reportedly shut down.

The embattled publisher Embracer had been seeking a buyer for Piranha Bytes as part of its vast and brutal swathe of cost-cutting that saw multiple studios shut and more than 4500 people lose their jobs – though ultimately was unsuccessful.

Job losses at Piranha Bytes were first reported at the end of last year and the company acknowledged earlier this year “a difficult situation” as it faced potential closure. Now a fresh report today by German website GameStar has confirmed the studio formally shut at the end of June, with its leaders now founding a new indie studio.

Newscast: With the death of Keystone, will Xbox give up its streaming console plans forever?

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Whilst acknowledging that game development has a “close relationship” with “AI-like technologies”, Nintendo says it is focused on “delivering value that is unique to Nintendo and cannot be created by technology alone”.
When asked by a shareholder to expand on “Nintendo’s initiatives using AI”, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said that although generative AI was undoubtedly a “big topic” across the games industry, he believed the company’s “decades of know-how” was more valuable than AI when it came to “creating the best gaming experiences for our players”.
Furukawa also reflected on the issues of intellectual property rights, too.

Newscast: With the death of Keystone, will Xbox give up its streaming console plans forever?

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