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Articles by Aidan SimondsFriday
Marvel's Avengers Ms Marvel Appearance Teased in SDCC Panel
Square Enix showed off gameplay for Marvel’s Avengers to the public (well, kind of) for the first time. While the demo was shown in full to attendees of the Marvel Games San Diego Comic-Con panel, it won’t be released to the public until late August. Of course, some sneaky attendees managed to secretly film footage of the event. Word of the demo content’s predictably began to spread around the internet, including a tease of one of Marvel’s newest Avengers: Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel.
Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled Sales Broke a Franchise Record
Nostalgia is alive and well. While we already knew that Beenox and Activision’s Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled was June 2019’s second-best-selling game, it also ended up breaking a record for the Crash series as a whole. The high-speed remake had the best launch month in the series’ history, beating out the previous record-holder, 2017’s Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy. The news was announced, unsurprisingly, by The NPD Group’s Mat Piscatella.
Cut Astro Bot Rescue Mission Multiplayer Mode Revealed
By now, it’s clear that Astro Bot Rescue Mission is one of the premiere titles on the PlayStation VR. However, SIE Japan Studio has recently lifted the lid on some content that didn’t manage to make the cut. While there are the usual suspects, like levels and enemies, one of the more notable pieces of cut content is a bit of a surprise: a four-person multiplayer mode. Astro Bot Rescue Mission was originally envisioned as a multiplayer title, keeping in-line with Team Asobi’s other titles.
Release Date for Kingdom Hearts VR Update Announced
After months of waiting, Kingdom Hearts fans can finally get their hands on the second part of Kingdom Hearts: VR Experience soon. The free experience lets fans go through the beloved series in a whole new way.
Expect Borderlands 3 News at the 'Celebration of Togetherness'
Gearbox Software has announced a new event, and you’re invited. On July 16, 2019, Gearbox will be hosting a “Celebration of Togetherness” for Borderlands 3 and, while details are slight, it’s likely a can’t-miss event for fans of all kinds. The event kicks off promptly at 7 AM PDT, so be sure to reserve your spot now. We hope to see you there. #Borderlands3 pic.twitter.com/JxDfmkSwcM — Borderlands 3 (@Borderlands) July 12, 2019 The event is currently a mystery.
Overwatch Hero 31 Will Release Later Than Expected
Some of the biggest conversations around Overwatch emerge when a new hero is announced. Everyone always enjoys (or maybe not) seeing how the newest character fits into the established game, and how they will change things up. Well, you may want to temper your expectations on an announcement just a little bit, as we may not get him anytime soon.
Cyberpunk 2077 Cover Art Will Be Reversible and Feature a Female V
When Cyberpunk 2077’s cover art was revealed, some were let down. One of the biggest tenants of Cyberpunk 2077is player choice. That begins with the player character, V. While we haven’t gotten a great look at the character creator in action, CD Projekt RED has ambitious goals for the final product. As such, some found it disappointing that the cover art fell victim to the “guy with a gun” cover art so many other games are also plagued with.
New Super Monkey Ball Game Gets Another Rating
Even more fuel has been added to the Super Monkey Ball fire. Another rating has been given to the still-unannounced title, this time from the Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea. By all accounts, a new Super Monkey Ball game is on the way, and possibly quite soon at that. The rating is again for Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. That’s the title that was first rated in Taiwan, and Sega trademarked that name back in May 2019.
Three Games Releasing Outside of Japan
Spike Chunsoft brought some big guns with it to the 2019 Anime Expo. It will be bringing not one, but three new titles to the West in the coming months. Conception Plus: Maiden of the Twelve Stars will be released in fall 2019, while the Robotics;Notes series will be heading Westward in 2020. Conception Plus is an enhanced version of the 2012 PSP title of the same name. It’s set in the fantasy world of Granvania.
People Can Fly Would Like to Make a Bulletstorm Sequel Eventually
Right now, Polish developer People Can Fly is fully focused on Outriders, a collaboration with Square Enix. However, that doesn’t mean the studio has forgotten its catalog of games, most notably Bulletstorm. While there are no immediate plans on a potential revival, People Can Fly wouldn’t mind seeing Bulletstorm make a return of sorts.
The PES 2019 PS Plus Swap Was Decided Solely By Sony
What exactly happened to the July 2019 PlayStation Plus lineup of free games? We may never know, but at least we know that apparently Konami had no say in the matter. Both Konami and Sony confirmed that the Sony was behind the change, though neither elaborated on why exactly the swap was made. To recap, Sony had originally announced the free games for July 2019 would be Horizon Chase Turbo and Pro Evolution Soccer 2019. This announcement led to a large fan outcry.
The Last of Us Part 2 Ellie Edition May be Available at Launch
With a game as heavily anticipated as The Last of Us Part II, many have been waiting patiently (or maybe not so) on a release date announcement. While Sony hasn’t made any official comments one way or another, there’s more evidence suggesting we’ll get to play this long-awaited sequel in early 2020. What’s more, there could be multiple versions for fans to choose from. This came from noted insider ZhugeEx, claiming once again that The Last of Us Part II will release in February 2020.
Here's why the Final Fantasy 8 Remastered Announcement Took So Long
One of the most pleasant surprises of E3 2019 was the announcement of a Final Fantasy VIII remaster. While not a remake on the scale of Final Fantasy VII, fans were relieved that the beloved, if polarizing, entry in the iconic series would finally become playable on the PlayStation 4, among other platforms.
A Gylt PS4 Release is Possible, but Currently Unconfirmed
One of the highlights of Google’s first Stadia Connect was Gylt. This is the newest game from Rime developer Tequila Works, and it looks to be a moody, horror-inspired title that caught the attention of many. While the announcement was worded as if it were an exclusive to Stadia (and it may still be, at least for a window of time), there appears to be a chance it could appear on other platforms, as well.
Yakuza 6 Actor Dropped From Talent Agency Among Scandal
Another scandal has hit a Yakuza series actor. Hiroyuki Miyasako, who portrays Tsuyoshi Nagumo in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, has been dropped by his agency after it was discovered he and ten other actors attended a party connected to organized crime. Related to this, media featuring Miyasako have begun to be removed from Japanese airwaves, though it’s unknown if Yakuza 6 itself will be impacted.
Overwatch Role Lock Could Be Implemented in the Near Future
The Overwatch League is apparently getting a major overhaul, one that could have big implications for the game itself. While it hasn’t been confirmed outright, a 2-2-2 role lock is reportedly coming to stage 4 of the Overwatch League. Players within the league have been speaking about it openly, though it seems like this is something Blizzard has been planning for a while. In addition, it seems quite likely that this restriction will be implemented in the main game.
EA Access PS4 Release Date Officially Announced
EA has announced when exactly its EA Access subscription service will be hitting the PlayStation 4. Fans won’t have to wait long, as the service drops in a little less than a month on July 24, 2019. The service gives unlimited access to a growing selection of titles from the Electronic Arts library. Subscribers to EA Access are allowed to play a wide variety of EA-published titles. While it’s not a streaming service, it does give you unlimited access to any title on the platform.
Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order Gameplay Described as 'Not Really Linear'
It was a bit of a head-scratcher when it was revealed that the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gameplay reveal wasn’t really indicative of the whole experience. Instead of a linear, Uncharted-esque experience, it’s actually more akin to Metroid games, with an open level design that encourages backtracking. A new interview with Respawn Lead Level Designer Jeff Magers gave a deeper look at how this new Star Wars game will play out.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Tifa Design Explained in New Interview
Some strange, but perhaps unsurprising controversy has emerged surrounding the much-hyped Final Fantasy VII Remake. Centering around the recently-revealed Tifa, fans in some circles have taken umbrage with what they are claiming is a reduction in the size of her chest. The flames were fueled even more when Tetsuya Nomura mentioned an “ethics department” during a leaked interview with Famitsu. However, more context has been given to the interview, revealing the full intent of Nomura’s words.
New Sonic Game Likely Planned for 2021, Which is Sonic's 'Next Big Year'
Not many game franchises endure for 30 years. As such, it’s almost always a momentous occasion when a currently-active series reaches that milestone. Evidently, Sega is aware of that, as it’s already planning big things for Sonic the Hedgehog’s 30th anniversary, which will take place in 2021. While Sega is keeping its lips tight for now, Takashi Iizuka, head of Sonic Team, teased big things for the blue blur. “The next big year for Sonic is 2021,” Iizuka said coyly.
New Persona 5 Battle Theme for Persona 5 Royal Released
One of the most acclaimed elements of Persona 5 is its catchy, jazzy soundtrack. For the upcoming Persona 5 Royal, however, there looks to be even more for fans to love. Atlus recently gave a sneak peek at a new battle theme for the enhanced Persona 5 experience, called “Take Over.” While we’ll have to wait to hear the whole thing, it certainly looks like it’ll give fans’ ears a treat.
Marvels Avengers Multiplayer Will Not Be Featured in the Campaign
While the chance to beat up bad guys with your friends is no doubt one of the headlining elements of Marvel’s Avengers: A-Day, in reality, it appears to only make up a small part of the overall experience. Turns out, the main campaign can only be played in single-player, while co-operative play is reserved for missions that can be completed on the side. When Square Enix first revealed Marvel’s Avengers at its E3 2019 conference, the multiplayer element was touted.
Phantasy Star Online 2 PS4 Release Will Happen in the Future
One of the biggest surprises of E3 2019 was no doubt the announcement that Phantasy Star Online 2 would finally be releasing outside of Japan. Perhaps an even bigger surprise was the revelation that it would be debuting in North America exclusively on the Xbox One and PC. While it wasn’t clear at the time whether or not we would be seeing on Phantasy Star Online 2 on other platforms, it has since been confirmed that it will eventually make its way to other systems.
Cyberpunk 2077 Character Customization Will Allow Trans Characters
While, for the most part, it seemed as though E3 2019 created a lot of excitement around Cyberpunk 2077, some major controversy has been building up around the game. The discovery of an in-game advertisement has set the internet ablaze, thanks to what many are calling an offensive depiction of a transgender woman. That, and the use of “mix it up” as the advert’s slogan led many to question whether Cyberpunk 2077 will respectfully depict trans and queer issues overall.
Latest Overcooked 2 DLC Adds a Terrifying New Horde Mode
Team17 is bringing even more content to Overcooked 2, and this may be its spookiest update yet. Night of the Hangry Horde gives Overcooked 2 a devilish makeover, adding new cooking mechanics, new chefs, and even a brand new mode. Yes, Overcooked 2 has a horde mode, which should make every prospective chef shake in terror. The update was first released for the Nintendo Switch, but expect it on all platforms, including the PlayStation 4, soon.
Granblue Fantasy Versus English Release Coming from XSEED Games
Granblue Fantasy: Versus is officially coming to North America, courtesy of XSEED Games. Though it doesn’t have a release date yet, it should be out in the near future. Excitingly, it will even be playable at E3 2019 for anyone attending the show! Developed by Cygames and Arc System Works, Granblue Fantasy: Versus is a brand new fighting game set in the Granblue Fantasy universe.
FIFA 20 Release Date Announced Ahead of EA Play 2019
On the eve of EA Play 2019, EA has announced that FIFA 20 will be released on September 27, 2019. It will be fully unveiled on June 8th, but until then, we now know when the next entry in the hugely popular series will enter the field. The stadium is anywhere. Full #FIFA20 reveal tomorrow at 3pm UK Subscribe to EA SPORTS FIFA on YouTube to see it first: https://t.co/RRsUn909Wu pic.twitter.com/twTKgLv95N — EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) June 7, 2019 To see a new FIFA game this year isn’t surprising.
Yooka Laylee Sequel Coming in 2019 from Playtonic and Team17
Playtonic Games has announced Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, a sequel to 2017’s Yooka-Laylee. Unlike the first title, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair will be a 2.5D side-scrolling platformer, though it will still feature 3D elements. It will be released later in 2019 for the PlayStation 4 (and other platforms). Playtonic is once again teaming up with Team17, which will publish this sequel.
Destroy All Humans Remake Announced by THQ Nordic
THQ Nordic has announced a Destroy All Humans! remake. Launching in 2020, it is the third and final game announced by the publisher ahead of E3 2019. It is being developed by Black Forest Games. Check out the announcement trailer right here, provided via IGN: Destroy All Humans! is a full remake of the original 2005 title of the same name, which released for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. You’ll be put back in the shoes of Crypto, the little alien who’s tasked with harvesting human brains.
Baldurs Gate PS4 Release Date and More Announced
We knew a group of iconic RPGs were coming to consoles, but we finally have a timeframe of when. Skybound Games announced we can expect games like Baldur’s Gate, Planescape Torment, and Neverwinter Nights to make their console debut in fall 2019. You’ll be able to play Planescape Torment, Icewind Dale, and the first two Baldur’s Gate games on September 24, 2019 in North America and September 27th in other territories.
PS Plus Price Increase Being Reported in Europe and Japan
Sony appears to be raising the price of PlayStation Plus memberships in certain parts of the world. Members in countries like Japan, Germany, France, and more have reported receiving emails detailing upcoming price changes. The increases will go into effect on August 1, 2019, though the changes don’t appear to be consistent across regions. In Japan, the prices for one- and three-month subscriptions will be raising to 850 yen and 2150 yen, respectively.
Judgment Escape Room Opening this Summer in Los Angeles
You won’t be able to escape Judgment—but you can try, at least. Sega and Escape Room LA have teamed up to introduce a special escape room theme around Sega’s upcoming Judgment. The limited-time engagement will be open from June 30-July 13, 2019. Tickets are available now on Escape Room LA’s website. “The Detective: Judgment” will turn players into detectives for the Yagami Detective Agency. They’ll team up with Judgment main protagonist Takayuki Yagami, once again portrayed by Greg Chun.
Call of Duty 2019 Will Reportedly be Titled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
At this point, it’s pretty much an open secret that 2019’s Call of Duty will be a new entry in the long-running Modern Warfare sub-series. However, if a new leak is to be believed, it won’t simply be Modern Warfare 4, as many have been expecting. The newest entry in the iconic series will reportedly simply be titled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and is being designed as a “soft reboot” of the series. No other information is known about this title outside of the reported moniker.
Sonic the Hedgehog Release Date Pushed Into Early 2020
The forthcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie has been officially delayed. Originally scheduled to rush into theaters on November 8, 2019, it will now be released on February 14, 2020, about three months later.
Overwatch Replay System Finally Lets You Watch Past Matches
A highly-requested feature is finally coming to Overwatch, and it is just in time for its third anniversary. Blizzard has announced the new Replay feature, which, as you can likely guess, will allow players to relive their past matches. However, the new feature will allow players to do more than simply rewatch themselves on the field and see their battles in new ways. This new addition will allow players to view your last ten matches in every mode besides Tutorial and Practice Range.
London Detective Mysteria Vita Physical Release Announce
Limited Run Games, the last champion of the PlayStation Vita, will be selling yet another game for the teflon-coated handheld. The latest physical release from the fan-favorite company will be London Detective Mysteria, an otome visual novel that first appeared on the PlayStation Portable in 2013. Mark your calendars now, as it will go on sale on May 31, 2019 and supplies will be limited.
Expect no Major Capcom 2019 Releases Outside of Iceborne
Capcom has had a big 2019 already, releasing two heavy-hitters, Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry 5, almost back-to-back. However, expect the rest of the year to be a little quieter for the Japanese publisher, as the only “major” release planned for the company is this fall’s Monster Hunter: World expansion, Iceborne. According to Capcom, this is due to the increasing length of AAA video game development.
Warren Spector Believes There Should be More Disney Video Games
It wasn’t all too long ago when Disney attempted to make a serious push into the video game industry. Attempting to create both original IP and games based off it’s wide catalog of properties, the venture didn’t last long, with Disney shutting down the majority of its development studios. However, there’s one person in particular who thinks the mega corporation should get back into game development—gaming icon Warren Spector. Considering his history with Disney, his words hold a little more weight.
Another Lords of the Fallen 2 Developer Dropped from the Project
Lords of the Fallen 2 has hit another major roadblock, as it has been revealed that developer Defiant Studios has been dropped from the game’s long and troubled development. CI Games, the company behind the project, will be taking development in-house, though it will be outsourcing some of its development, as well. In a statement (originally written in Polish), CI Games accused the New York-based developer of “inadequate execution” of a “so-called vertical slice” of Lords of the Fallen 2.
Monster Hunter World Free Trial Available Exclusively on the PS4
Monster Hunter: World is gearing up for a major expansion this Fall, but if you haven’t become a hunter yet, now’s the time to do so. Capcom is giving players a free trial of its hugely popular 2018 game, allowing them to get a taste of hunting monsters for themselves. The trial is live now, and lasts until May 20th. It’s available exclusively on the PlayStation 4. The trial lets players experience the beginnings of the Monster Hunter: World adventure.
Devolver Digital E3 2019 Press Conference Dated
Get ready, everyone! Devolver Digital has finally dated its E3 conference. The fan-favorite video game publisher will actually be one of the convention’s earliest showings, with its conference taking place on June 7, 2019 at 7 PM PDT. Devolver is always a wild card when it comes to its E3 showing, so it’s always exciting to see what’s up its sleeves.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Multiple Parts Release Still Planned
Square Enix came through for many fans when it re-revealed the long-awaited Final Fantasy VII Remake. While we still don’t have an idea of when it will come out, it was a big sigh of relief for fans who may have been worried at the state of this highly-requested project. Again, details are light at the moment, but a follow-up from Square Enix reaffirmed that the remake will still release in “multiple parts.” Just in case there was any doubt in that regard.
Disc Jam PS4 Updated to Support PSN Name Changes
When the ability to change PlayStation Network IDs were finally enacted worldwide, the feature came with a mountain of risks. One of these risks was the fact that there were certain games that simply were not compatible with the change. This included Disc Jam, which was grouped as with the other games with “critical issues.” However, Disc Jam developer High Horse Entertainment is saying that it fixed these issues, meaning Disc Jam now fully supports PSN ID changes.
There are Borderlands 3 Microtransactions, but for Cosmetic Items Only
In what’s shaping up to be one of the strangest controversies of 2019, 2K Games finally confirmed that Borderlands 3 will, in-fact, have cosmetic-only DLC. This confirmation comes after the Borderlands 3 gameplay reveal event caused some controversy over whether or not the upcoming looter shooter would feature microtransactions.
Some Upcoming PlatinumGames Games Will be Self-Published
For a small studio, PlatinumGames is certainly taking on a large number of projects. Despite having a load of announced projects already in the pipeline, the Japanese developer has even more cards up its sleeve. Studio head Atushi Inaba has said that, in addition to currently-announced projects, Platinum has two unannounced projects in the works, based on original IP that the studio owns itself.
Monster Hunter World Spring Festival 2019 Is Happening Now
Spring is in the air, and on your screens! Capcom has brought back the Spring Blossom Festival in Monster Hunter: World, perfect for getting you in the mood for the changing weather. Featuring new gear, quests, and decorations, the events is on now, and lasts until May 16, 2019. The festival follows the special Appreciation Fest anniversary event in January.
PS5 Release Date Confirmed to Not be in Early 2020
We still don’t have a solid idea of when to expect the PlayStation 5, but Sony has narrowed down that timeframe a little more. According to Wall Street Journal reporter Takashi Mochizuki, Sony confirmed that its newest system will not be releasing in its fiscal year 2019, which Sony is currently in. This news probably won’t be surprising to almost anyone, but it does confirm at least that we won’t see it in early 2020.
Don't Expect Titanfall 3 News as Respawn Focuses on Apex Legends
While Apex Legends has been a hit (to put things mildly) for Respawn Entertainment and EA, its success may have come at a slight cost. Apex Legends Executive Producer Drew McCoy recently put out a blog post giving fans an update on what the future of Apex Legends looks like. One of the more notable tidbits was that, in order to focus on fine-tuning Apex Legends, Respawn is “pushing out” plans for future Titanfall games.
Ace Combat 7 DLC and Season Pass Coming this Summer
Fresh off of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown’s soaring launch, Bandai Namco has announced the Ace Combat 7 season pass. It will come with plenty of new gear to push your piloting skills to the next level. Expect three new aircrafts over the summer, in addition to new skins, weapons, and more. The first DLC pack will be landing on May 22, 2019, with the other packs landing over the rest of the Summer. Take a look at the upcoming season pass right here: May 22nd will see the release of the AD-11F.
PlayStation Store Flash Sale for Easter 2019 Weekend Happening Now
It’s a holiday weekend for many, and what better way to spend it than playing some video games? Sony certainly wants to take advantage of the extra time off, and a brand new Flash Sale is now live on the PlayStation Store. Some of this year’s biggest games, like Ace Combat 7, Metro Exodus, and The Division 2 are available at a reduced price, as well as some of 2018’s notable titles like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and the Spyro Reignited Trilogy.
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