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Elden Ring's network and co-op issues are fixed on Xbox
The issue temporarily prevented Xbox owners from playing the game online.
'Sekiro' GOTY Edition trailer offers a peek at fresh challenges
FromSoftware has shared a 'Sekiro' GOTY Edition trailer that reveals the game's new challenges, including player ghosts.
'Black Myth: Wu Kong' looks like a gorgeous Monkey King-inspired game
We don't usually see AAA-quality games from studios in China, which is why Black Myth: Wu Kong is so notable.
Demon's Souls is getting a PS5 remake
From Software's PlayStation classic, Demon's Souls, is being remade for the PlayStation 5.
George R. R. Martin and From Software collaborate on 'Elden Ring'
The rumors were true -- George R. R. Martin is involved in a video game, and it's not a Game of Thrones tie-in. The author has partnered with From Software to produce Elden Ring, a fantasy title coming to the Xbox One and PC. There are precious few details at this point, but it's set in a universe created by Dark Souls mastermind Hidetaka Miyazaki. Someone appears to have shattered the ring, and the consequences are dire.
Bandai-Namco E3 2019 leak reveals 'Tales,' George R.R. Martin games
E3 2019 is almost about to get rolling, but there's time for at least one more pre-show leak. Several games from publisher Bandai-Namco have apparently leaked out due to a flaw on the company's website. Those include a From Software (Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro) collaboration with George R.R. Martin, titled Elden Ring, coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC. There isn't much confirmed beyond the name and the logo at this time other than that it's an action-RPG, although Martin discussed a game he'd consulted on in a blog post after the Game of Thrones series finale aired. Screenshots revealed more of another game, Tales of Arise, an Unreal Engine 4-powered entry in the Tales series of RPGs. Meanwhile, Gematsu mentions information on a re-release of Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch for Switch (above), with a remastered version packing improved graphics coming to PS4 and Switch. We'll find out what's really coming out, and where it's headed, over the next few days as things get rolling in LA. The show floor doesn't officially open until Tuesday, but our first event of the show begins with EA Play at around noon ET Saturday.
'Dark Souls' developer eyes possible PlayStation VR release
From Software has made it very clear that Dark Souls is over, so that means it's time to look forward to a new franchise. This could very well include a new IP to be released on the upcoming PlayStation VR.
Swifter, Not Safer: Bloodborne trades Dark Souls' creep for speed
Bloodborne bummed me right out when it was announced back in June. Gothic action RPG from From Software, Japan's premiere purveyors of supremely weird, deeply punishing action games? Should be awesome. Unlike many of the converted, though, I've never cottoned to the Dark Souls games that Bloodborne is a spiritual successor to. Dark Souls' ethos is one I deeply respect. A game that thrusts you into a mysterious place that reveals its history through strange visuals, vicious combat, and patient explorations, the spirit of the series is deeply appealing. Feeling how that game plays, though, was an enormous turn off. The awkward, chunky pace of blocking, slowly attacking, meticulously dodging, then dying repeatedly only to try again just rubbed me wrong. Bloodborne's promise of improved access to the series seemed like a pyrrhic victory. The emphasis on fast action rather than patient blocking and enemy study seemed great, but wouldn't that dilute the series' stern soul? Apparently not. Bloodborne is a much swifter game than Dark Souls, but it's no less dangerous. Death is still waiting behind the corners of From Software's latest dank world, but how you move around that doom is potentially more inviting to the unconverted that never quite got Dark Souls.
Bloodborne's European limited editions target bookish goths
Sony has unveiled the European limited edition contents of From Software's PlayStation 4-exclusive action-RPG Bloodborne, revealing that early adopters will receive a collection of gothic knickknacks in addition to bonus in-game goodies. The Bloodborne Collector's Edition (retailing for €79.99) includes an art book, a downloadable soundtrack, and a copy of the game in a steelbook case. Shell out some extra cash for the €119.99 Nightmare Edition and you'll also get a cracked bell trinket, a tin that resembles a stocked bookshelf, a themed notebook, and a quill pen complete with a vial of blood-red ink. The Nightmare Edition also includes an exclusive skin that equips the game's Messenger character with a dapper top hat. A pair of retailer-exclusive pre-order skins optionally equip the Messenger with a fedora or a bandaged scalp. Limited edition contents for Bloodborne's North American release have not been announced. Bloodborne hits retail stateside on March 24. [Image: Sony]
Bloodborne is less scary with friends
What's better than slaughtering juicy, demonic beasts? Slaughtering juicy, demonic beasts with friends. The Bloodborne trailer shown at The Game Awards on Friday features some co-op dicing and slicing action. Relive the gory glory. [Image: From Software]
Bloodborne due date pushed back to March 2015
Bloodborne isn't delivering on February 6, 2015 as scheduled, after Sony announced a month-and-a-half delay for the PS4 game. The new action-RPG from Souls studio From Software is now due to launch on March 24 in North America and March 25 in mainland Europe. Japan follows suit on March 26, then UK and Ireland are last up on March 27. "While development continues unabated, we would like our team to deliver the best possible final experience," Sony's Masaaki Yamagiwa said on the PS Blog. "We were gratified by the feedback and data we received from those who participated in our limited alpha test. The extra production time will also allow us to better integrate these learnings."
Praise the sun: Dark Souls PC moving from GFWL to Steam next month
The Windows PC version of Dark Souls will transition from the moribund Games for Windows Live platform to Steam next month, publisher Bandai Namco Games announced this week. Starting in November, players who purchase Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition will be able to redeem their Games for Windows Live Tokens on Steam. Existing save data and achievements will also transfer over to user Steam accounts during a brief migration period next month, though Games for Windows Live Rankings will not survive the trip. Bandai Namco notes that Dark Souls' transition will kick off "sometime in November 2014 with more specific dates to come." [Image: Bandai Namco]
Dark Souls 'Crown of the Ivory King' review: Burning bright
PC, Xbox 360, PS3 It sounds strange, but one of the best environments in the latest downloadable chapter of Dark Souls 2 DLC is hardly an environment at all. It's called the Frigid Outskirts, and it's a vast, nearly empty expanse – a long, curving valley only occasionally dotted with small, dilapidated stone structures. Like much of Dark Souls 2, however, this area of "The Crown of the Ivory King" DLC differentiates itself from the rest of the game with a few outstanding features. Specifically: a constant, unrelenting blizzard. What should be a simple jaunt from one end to the other becomes considerably more difficult, as near whiteout conditions make it impossible to see more than a few feet in front of you, only clearing once every thirty seconds or so. It's a smart mechanic that not only imparts a sense of fear, but also elevates what would otherwise be a boring, linear quest. And then there are the lightning-spewing horse bastards that accost you at regular intervals, but we'll get to those later.
Bloodborne alpha returns this weekend for one postponed hurrah
Players of Bloodborne's alpha have one more chance to check out the build this Sunday, October 19, after developer From Software postponed the final day's session during the initial test run. The Souls studio canceled the October 5 session "due to some issues," but an email sent to Joystiq by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe detailed the encore with co-op play for up to two extra players included. According to a PlayStation Japan support page, the delayed alpha session is due to run between 5PM and 8PM PT in North America (8PM-11PM ET), while in Europe it's scheduled for 6PM-9PM BST (7-10PM CET). Meanwhile, Sony Europe notes voucher codes for the alpha have been extended beyond the stated expiry date, and advises users who've deleted the Alpha Test client they can re-download it.
Bloodborne alpha glitch reveals unannounced content
Players slicing their way through the alpha version of From Software's PlayStation 4-exclusive Dark Souls follow-up Bloodborne can escape the alpha's boundaries and access not-yet-announced content, the fan-made video above demonstrates. YouTube user "Sanadsk" shows off weapons, armor and locations normally inaccessible in Bloodborne's alpha. Throw a couple of pebbles at the pit shown in the first minute of the video above and the floor will become solid, allowing players to flip a switch and access a gated gameplay area featuring giant pigs, mutated rat creatures, and other hidden content. Players who access Bloodborne's secret area can also battle Priest Gascoigne, a boss enemy who is not normally encountered in the alpha. At one point during the battle, the boss utters the word "Umbasa," which supposedly ties the game to From Software's 2009 PS3 release Demon's Souls. Bloodborne hits retail in North America on February 6, 2015. [Video: Sanadsk / From Software]
Bloodborne demo defeats players at PAX Prime, TGS
Recent public playtests indicate that From Software's Dark Souls series successor Bloodborne is shaping up to be just as difficult as its predecessors, DualShockers reports. During Tokyo Game Show last week, producer Masaaki Yamagiwa and marketer Yasuhiro Kitao revealed that less than one percent of players at PAX Prime were able to complete the Bloodborne demo. Only 20 out of approximately 3,500 players were able to kill the Cleric Beast boss and complete the quest at PAX Prime. Around 40 out of 1,250 attempts at TGS were successful. Dark Souls fans who thrive on challenge may take these results as a positive sign, as the series has traditionally focused on gameplay that require patience, preparation, and a willingness to learn through failure. Bloodborne launches exclusively for the PlayStation 4 on February 6, 2015. [Image: From Software]
Dark Souls 2 DLC officially delayed in North America
Yesterday we brought you word that the Crown of the Ivory King DLC for Dark Souls 2 had been delayed in Europe. At the time there was no word on the status of its North American counterpart, though now we know that it, too, has been pushed back. "The sheer scope of Crown of the Ivory King facilitated the need for a bit more time to deliver a level of polish that the previous two chapters of The Lost Crown trilogy embodied," stated developer From Software via publisher Bandai Namco. "It is From Software's intent to only release Crown of the Ivory King with the highest level of quality possible." Those who read our earlier article will note that this is the same statement we received from Bandai Namco Europe when we looked into the European delay. On a positive note, the delay is not a lengthy one. Bandai Namco now plans to launch the Crown of the Ivory King DLC on September 30. While you're waiting, you can pass the time by reading our reviews of the first two DLC packs released for Dark Souls 2, Crown of the Sunken King and Crown of the Old Iron King. [Image: Bandai Namco]
Dark Souls 2's 'Crown of the Ivory King' pushed back [update: NA too]
Update 2: Bandai Namco has confirmed that Crown of the Ivory King has been delayed in North America. Like its European and Japanese counterparts it will now debut on September 30. Update: We've yet to hear back from Bandai Namco America, and the game's US homepage is still advertising the DLC for tomorrow, September 24. Once we confirm if the delay includes North America or not, we'll update this story. Bandai Namco Europe announced a week's delay for 'Crown of the Ivory King,' the third and final chapter in the coronation trilogy of Dark Souls 2 DLC. The add-on content was due on September 24, but according to Bandai Namco's European branch launch it's due now on September 30 for Xbox 360 and Steam, and October 1 for PS3. Also, Famitsu reported a delay to September 30 in Japan. We've reached out to Bandai Namco America for stateside info. When approached, Bandai Namco Europe provided Joystiq with From Software's statement on the delay: "The [sheer] scope of Crown of the Ivory King facilitated the need for a bit more time to deliver to level of polish that the previous two chapters of The Lost Crown trilogy embodied. It is From Software's intent to only release Crown of the Ivory King with the highest level of quality possible."
Bloodborne in the USA February 2015 (Europe too!)
From Software's Bloodborne is bringing its Victorian violence to North America and Europe on February 6, 2015, just a day after it lands Japan. The news hits as Sony Europe began issuing out alpha invites for the Souls dev's latest action-RPG, but there's no word yet if we can expect similar tests stateside. Also, there's a new trailer (which you'll find below the break) offering a glimpse at the game's yet-to-be disclosed online systems, which Sony Japan's Masaaki Yamagiwa noted includes "co-operative and asynchronous play." Yamagiwa also teased that some of the asynchronous play is tied to companion nightmarish creatures called Messengers.
First Bloodborne alpha invites roll out to Europe
Alpha testing invites for Bloodborne are now appearing in select email inboxes. Joystiq's own Sinan Kubba received an invite to the "small-scale test," which features early access to the game and "a sample of its online features," according to the email. Those that would like to take part in the testing phase for From Software's next sort-of-like-Dark Souls game can apply on the PSN Beta page. The trial is for European players only, as invites are granted at SCEE's discretion. The enrollment period ends on Tuesday, September 23 at 11:59am BST (6:59am EST). Bloodborne will launch on February 5 in Japan and early 2015 in Europe. [Image: From Software]
