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The demons of Disgaea 5 take on Japan in March 2015
Disgaea 5 already has a March 26, 2015 release date for Japan, just weeks after it debuted at Sony's pre-Tokyo Game Show conference. The PS4 tactical RPG is coming in both download and retail forms, and as Gematsu notes, a demo is headed for the PlayStation Store in Japan sometime next month. For gameplay footage, check out the new trailer below the break. The next entry in Nippon Ichi Software's off-the-wall mix of demonic heroes, turn-based tactics and volatile penguins is exclusive to PS4, and according to reports NIS wanted to make a game that took advantage of Sony's new hardware. For example, NIS says Disgaea 5 can feature 100 characters on the screen at the same time, compared to just 10 on a PS3 version.
Battleborn engages cooperative gameplay trailer
Here's about 15 minutes of Borderlands developer Gearbox's "friendly shooter" Battleborn. The trailer takes its time showing off the different attacks and skills of the characters. The game is expected to launch on Xbox One, PS4 and PC in 2015.
Thomas Was Alone making the leap to PS4 this year
Brave rectangle Thomas and his geometric pals will soon journey to the PlayStation 4, publisher Curve Studios announced at Sony's PlayStation Blog today. Thomas Was Alone is a minimalist platformer starring a gang of four-sided heroes that all boast their own unique traversal abilities. After launching for PC platforms, Thomas Was Alone premiered for the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita, and was later featured as a free PlayStation Plus title. Players who own the PS3 or Vita versions of Thomas Was Alone will get the PlayStation 4 edition for free when it premieres later this year. Creator Mike Bithell revealed that the "Benjamin's Flight" DLC will also transfer across all Sony platforms with a single purchase. [Image: Curve Studios]
Tales of Zestiria out in North America, Europe by summer 2015
The next PlayStation 3 entry in the long-running "Tales of" JRPG series is due to hit store shelves in North America and Europe by next summer, a Bandai Namco representative told IGN this week. The representative stated that Tales of Zestiria will debut in North America and Europe "no more than six months after its Japanese launch," pegging it for a spring or summer release. Tales of Zestiria hits Japan on January 22, 2015, and if Bandai Namco's worldwide release schedule pans out, its localization will be the quickest the series has seen to date. Bandai Namco revealed the sequel late last year, and showed off its protagonist and lush scenery in the weeks afterward. Zestiria follows up on Tales of Xillia 2, which launched digitally and at retail last month for the PlayStation 3. [Image: Bandai Namco]
Destiny attracts 5 million unique viewers on Twitch in first week
Destiny drew in 5 million unique viewers and 20 million total views on Twitch last week, making it the "biggest console game launch of the year" on the streaming service, Activision said in a press release. Viewers watched 240 million minutes of Destiny gameplay during the week. It's difficult to directly compare these numbers to other console game launches on Twitch, since those stats aren't readily available. "We can't provide those numbers since it is up to our partners to determine what they want to publicize about their channel's engagement," a Twitch spokesperson told Joystiq. However, there are Twitch engagement numbers for the Xbox One and PS4: Titanfall was the game most often broadcast on Twitch via Xbox One in its first month, with 10 million minutes of streaming. Players broadcast 23 million minutes of gameplay in Xbox One's first month with Twitch, and on launch day, Xbox One players accounted for 30 percent of all Twitch streams. In its first month, PS4 players accounted for 10 percent of all Twitch streams, with 20 million minutes of live broadcasting. [Image: Activision]
Minecraft's PS4 incarnation reaches retail stores in October
Following the recent digital debut of Minecraft on the PlayStation 4, Sony has revealed that the sandbox construction game will also appear on store shelves on October 7. Like its Xbox One counterpart, the PlayStation 4 version of Minecraft is based largely on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 ports of the game, which are themselves stripped down versions of the PC original. Owing to improved hardware however, the PlayStation 4's Minecraft feature worlds "36 times bigger" than its PlayStation 3 counterpart. As with the digital version of Minecraft, players with existing saved games on either the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 will be able to transfer their progress to the PlayStation 4 game and quickly resume where they left off. Lacking from this announcement is any word on the long-awaited Vita version of Minecraft, but Sony claims that more information on that game will appear "in a few weeks," including word on how cross-buy functionality will work for those who already own Minecraft on another Sony gaming machine. [Image: 4J Studios]
PlayStation Now PS3 open beta starts
PlayStation Now, Sony's oddly priced game streaming service, will enter open beta on PS3 in the US and "parts of Canada" today. The PS Now library currently has over 150 games. Good news for those interested in the future of the service: Sony reiterated it's still in the early days of the program and is listening to feedback, along with "working towards a PS Now subscription option." PS Now is currently also in open beta on PlayStation 4. The service will make its way to Europe in 2015, with a quick stop in the UK first before crossing to the mainland.
Final Fantasy Type-0 HD trailer shows before and after
Previously limited to PSPs in Japan, Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is coming to PS4 and Xbox One in North America on March 17, 2015, and Europe on March 20. It's priced $60 for the consoles, and as an extra incentive Square Enix is bundling in vouchers for the upcoming FF15 demo. A new trailer - which you'll find below the break - showcases the visual leap from PSP to 1080p on current-gen hardware, while also providing a idea of what to expect from the fast-paced, mission-based action-RPG. While there are recognizable FF themes of magic mixed with sci-fi and a beautiful but war-torn world, the way you control, fight and explore using students from the Class 0 military academy isn't as familiar.
Gran Turismo 6 gets its first original track in 1.12 update
It's been 10 months since Gran Turismo 6 first hit retail shelves, but developer Polyphony Digital is still adding new content to the PlayStation 3 racing simulation. The latest update, version 1.12, brings with it a handful of bug fixes and gameplay tweaks, but is most notable for the additional content it adds to the game. Two new vehicles highlight the update, including the Nissan GT-R NISMO and the Toyota FT1 Vision Gran Turismo (pictured above). While the latter is a fancy concept car available exclusively to Gran Turismo 6 players, the former vehicle is a bit more commonplace - assuming that's a descriptor that could ever reasonably be attached to a machine that once set the record at Germany's legendary Nürburgring racetrack for the world's fastest volume production car. Additionally, the 1.12 update adds a new track to Gran Turismo 6, the "Circuito de la Sierra." This mark's Polyphony's first attempt at crafting an original long course for Gran Turismo 6, though, according to the developers, the track draws aesthetic inspiration from the Ronda region of Southern Spain. As with all updates, everything included in the 1.12 patch is available at no charge to Gran Turismo 6 owners. Simply fire up your PlayStation 3, start the racing sim and you should be prompted to download the update, assuming your console hasn't already done so. For more information, visit the Gran Turismo website. [Image: Sony]
Alien: Isolation Season Pass is for Survivor Mode DLC
Alien: Isolation's Survivor Mode is simple and scary: survive against the clock and the alien, with limited resources on each map. The first Survivor Mode map, Basement, is included with the game when it launches on October 7. Alien: Isolation is getting a Season Pass for all five of its Survivor Mode map packs, the first of which launches on October 28. Each Survivor Mode pack includes three maps. The first map pack has its "own set objective and challenges, a new playable character and a variety of enemy types between you and your escape," Sega writes in a press release. "Over the following months, four more add-on packs will release, each featuring a new playable character, and a mix of new maps and game modes to challenge even the most proficient player." All of the Survivor Mode maps are due to be out by March 2015, Sega says. There's no word on a price for the individual packs or the Season Pass, but the pass gives players a discount of "up to" 25 percent. [Image: Sega]
Unity Pro now free for all licensed PlayStation developers
Unity Pro is now available for all licensed PlayStation developers at the low, low cost of nothing. Those that become approved developers for Sony's platforms will have access to "PlayStation ready versions" of Unity Pro, which offers developers the tools to create 2D and 3D games and applications. Unity Pro normally costs $1,500 or $75 per month, as listed on Unity's store. Unity entered a partnership with Sony to offer optimized tools for the PlayStation platforms in March 2013. Sony has since shown greater interest in hosting the creations of independent developers, adding "fully-integrated solutions" for PS3 and Vita this past March. PlayStation Mobile developers received free access to Unity for PSM in June before Sony killed support for PSM on Android last month. [Image: Unity]
Capcom slashes prices on PSN, from Okami to Street Fighter
Capcom fans with access to the PlayStation Network have good reason to be excited, as the publisher has unleashed a deluge of discounts on games ranging from classic 2D fighters to modern survival horror epics. Highlights of the sale include fan-favorite PlayStation 2 crossover fighter Capcom vs SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001 at $5 and Lost Planet 3 at $13.49. The Resident Evil games are likewise discounted, with Resident Evil 4 HD at $6.80, Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition at $15 and the HD remake of Resident Evil: Revelations at a mere $13.49, among other sizable survival horror discounts. Capcom's discounts on Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max and Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen are especially tempting, as both the classic 2D fighter and the uneven but compelling third-person fantasy adventure can be purchased together for less than $10. For full details on all of Capcom's newly-announced discounts, visit Capcom Unity. Not only are all of the discounted games listed in an easy to read format, but Capcom also links directly to the Sony Entertainment Network, saving potential customers the hassle of looking up each game individually on their Sony console of choice. [Image: Capcom]
Joystiq Streams: When a Canadian coaches a scrub in NHL 15
The Rangers versus Kings Stanley Cup final this past June was one of the most watched Stanley Cup finals in a generation. NBC reported it had about 5 million viewers total. To put that in perspective, the Super Bowl snagged 111.5 million viewers in February. Who cares, though! So the NHL doesn't have the same kind of following as the NFL. Big surprise. That doesn't make the league or the sport any less fascinating. What we need is a guide to walk us through those confusing frozen halls. Lucky for us, Joystiq has a secret weapon: Xav de Matos! Starting at 4:00PM EST on Joystiq.com/Twitch, Xav (@Xav) is going to teach Anthony John Agnello (@ajohnagnello), a complete NHL neophyte, how to play NHL 15 on PlayStation 4. Don't know what icing is? We're going to find out. How weird is it going to get? Pretty weird. Joystiq Streams broadcasts on Joystiq.com/Twitch every Tuesday and Thursday at 4PM EST, but we regularly broadcast other days of the week so make sure to follow us on Twitch to know when we go live. [Images: Electronic Arts]
CastleStorm: Definitive Edition catapults to Xbox One, PS4 next week
If you missed out on CastleStorm's multiplatform launch last year, you'll have the chance to catch up next week with an expanded edition premiering for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, developer Zen Studios announced today. CastleStorm: Definitive Edition bolsters its physics-driven tower defense gameplay with a visually updated 1080p presentation and a collection of new gameplay modes and features not found in the original release. The package also includes the "From Outcast to Savior" and "Warrior Queen" expansions, both previously released as DLC for the PlayStation 3 and other platforms. CastleStorm: Definitive Edition will be available for $9.99 when it hits the PlayStation 4 on September 23 and the Xbox One on September 24. [Image: Zen Studios]
Destiny sales reach $325 million worldwide
Activision has pegged sales of Destiny at $325 million worldwide in its first five days, which follows last week's announcement that the MMO-shooter dungeon crawler shipped over $500 million into retail. We don't have time to explain how Activision has time to explain where it got those numbers. "Destiny is a platform that will grow and evolve and we will continue to work closely with our partners at Bungie to bring a long line of new experiences and content to life in the game," said Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg. The company spoke to Joystiq yesterday about changes coming to the game, saying it has already "more than doubled" the number of public events players will encounter.
Destiny's Vault of Glass already cleared
The Primeguard clan of Destiny guardians were the first to break through the Vault of Glass, some 11 hours after the raid launched yesterday. The six-person team posted proof of their exploits on Twitter, and soon after Bungie acknowledged them as first to finish the mission, while coyly suggesting they now do it on the harder difficulty. Bungie posted Primeguard's Vault of Glass stats, and they show the marathon mission was tough going for the team. As DestinyDB elaborates, the sextet of three Titans, two Hunters and a Warlock, all across level 26 to 28, died a staggering 1,606 times in total with a combined kill-death ratio of 3.59. The team's average lifespan? Just 2 minutes and 22 seconds.
Report: Final Fantasy 15 demo in 2015, Type-0 HD release date
Players can sample Final Fantasy 15 next year through a downloadable demo, according to a now removed Game Informer post. The report claimed the demo is titled Episode Duscae - a name Square Enix trademarked earlier this year - and it features some opening sections from the PS4 and Xbox One game. Square Enix hasn't as yet announced a Final Fantasy 15 demo, and we've reached out to the publisher for clarification. The JRPG wasn't included in Square Enix's announced Tokyo Game Show line-up, but today's report will fuel speculation that'll it'll nonetheless appear in some form at the Japanese expo this week. Game Informer also reported a March 17 release date in North America for Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, the PS4 and Xbox One port of the 2011 PSP game released only in Japan. The post said the game includes a voucher for the Final Fantasy 15 demo, adding, "A representative from Square Enix could not confirm that the demo will be available the exact same day as Type-0 HD, but it will be coming to both PS4 and Xbox One when it does release." We'll update this story as we learn more.
Mortal Kombat X controllers from PDP are lopsided, not final
Gaming accessory manufacturer PDP is working on new gamepads designed specifically for Mortal Kombat X, and the company showed off designs for Xbox One and PS4 at GameStop Expo last week. Iron Galaxy Community Manager Alex Jebailey snapped some photos of the gamepads and posted them on Instagram. The controllers displayed at the conference featured six big buttons on the stumpy right side of the gamepad – A, B, X, Y, LB and RB for Xbox One – and a directional stick on the left side. It's not an analog stick, PDP told IGN. "The stick that you see is actually a series of micro-switches as well (just like the buttons), not an analog stick. It helps to bring the player closer to the classic arcade feel." PDP clarified that the gamepads shown at GameStop Expo were not final products. "The Mortal Kombat X controller that we showed at the GameStop Expo is still in development, so platforms have not been finalized," PDP said. "We like to work with the manufacturers to get a licensed product when possible. The controllers are designed along the lines of our VS Fight Pads which came out for the Xbox 360 and PS3 a few years back." Mortal Kombat X is due out on April 14, 2015, for PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC. [Image: PDP]
PSN Tuesday: Murasaki Baby, Fibbage
This week's PlayStation Store update brings a handful of games to PS4 that began life elsewhere. The future-set strategy game Anomaly 2 arrives ($14.99) after first emerging on PC and mobile platforms, alongside a "special edition" of the originally PS3/Vita exclusive rhythm game, KickBeat ($9.99). Fibbage ($6.99), a local co-op party game that first launched on Xbox One, is also now available for PlayStation platforms. The marquee game of this week's release list is Murasaki Baby ($14.99), a Vita-only platforming title that Sony put in the spotlight during its Gamescom 2013 presentation. A Joystiq review for the game is forthcoming. For more PlayStation Store updates, including details on a number of discounted items across all platforms, check the official PlayStation Blog. [Image: Sony Europe]
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]