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Lindsay Lohan sues Rockstar over GTA 5 character likeness
Following months of idle threats, actress Lindsay Lohan has officially filed a lawsuit against Rockstar Games, alleging that the Grand Theft Auto 5 creators borrowed her likeness for the character of Lacey Jonas. According to the suit, Lohan's virtual doppelganger mirrors the actress' struggles with the paparazzi, while also depicting her voice, image and personal style. Further, the suit points out that Rockstar included an in-game spoof of the famous Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, a hotel where Lohan herself lived for several months. Lacey Jonas is an "unequivocal" reference to Lohan, the suit claims, before asking for unspecified damages. Not mentioned in the suit are Lohan's recent financial woes, rumored drug abuse or her longstanding reputation as an unreliable actress, all of which has caused her stock to plummet among Hollywood studios over the past decade. Nor does the suit mention that Grand Theft Auto 5 ranks among the most successful game releases of all time, having earned over $800 million dollars on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 alone (and with more money to come from imminent PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox One versions). Then, of course, there's the legally-protected concept of "satire" to discuss - but we're sure a judge will cover all of these bases once this lawsuit finds its way into a courtroom. [Image: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]
Report: Murdered: Soul Suspect developer Airtight Games closes [update]
Developer Airtight Games has reportedly closed its Redmond office with no prior announcement, suggesting that the studio has ceased operations less than a month after launching its latest multiplatform game Murdered: Soul Suspect. GeekWire visited the studio's former office yesterday and found a locked door and a sign advertising a "blow out sale" on the equipment within. GeekWire's attempts to contact company representatives were not answered. Joystiq also received no response during our attempts to follow up. Airtight Games' credits include the Capcom-published action game Dark Void, Ouya roguelike Soul Fjord, and Quantum Conundrum, a first-person puzzler directed by Portal designer Kim Swift. The studio saw a round of layoffs in April, losing 14 employees as part of a "necessary restructuring." Update: Airtight has effectively confirmed the closure through tweets thanking those who "supported us and made the last 10 years possible." [Image: Square Enix]
November is where the Tales of Hearts R is for Europeans
Namco Bandai pumped out a Tales of Hearts R release date for Europe and Australasia this morning, confirming the JRPG is coming to the regions on November 14. There's no word on North America yet, but we'd expect the Vita remake stateside around the same time. The original DS game never made it out of Japan, but 7th Chord's remake brings the series' frenetic real-time combat to Western Vitas for the first time. As Siliconera reports, the remake introduces a fairly beefy array of additions, including full 3D graphics, new anime cut scenes, full voice acting across the main story, The localized version offers Japanese audio with subtitles, while Gematsu reports it'll be a GameStop exclusive in North America, though it'll also be available via PSN.
Telltale expects the next Walking Dead episode to hit this month
Up until today, we expected July to be made up of a more relaxing breed of decisions. We were thinking stuff like whether to go with hot dogs or BBQ chicken, which sports to melt in front of, and which unnecessarily flashy sunglasses to buy. Blissful, meaningless decisions. Then Telltale's Job Stauffer said the studio expects Season 2 Episode 4 of The Walking Dead to arrive this month, and all of a sudden we're faced with choices that have consequences. You know, it's very rare someone's suffered a gratuitously cruel death after we've plumped for the BBQ chicken. When we buy our Ray-Bans almost no-one gets left behind.
PS4's DualShock 4 now works wirelessly with PS3
Sony's latest PS3 firmware update quietly introduces DualShock 4 wireless support for the system, as we get the growing impression the poor old DualShock 3 is being quietly shoved off a cliff. Previously you had to plug in the PS4 controller to use it on PS3, but now you can sync it up via Bluetooth and go new-gen on the last gen wirelessly. We've tested it out and it's easy to set up. First, head to Settings on the PS3 media bar, then Accessory Settings and Manage Bluetooth Devices and finally Register New Device. After that the PS3 will scan for Bluetooth controllers, so to make your DualShock 4 show up hold the PS and Share button at the same time. After a few seconds the controller's light bar will start blinking, and then it'll show up on the PS3 screen ready to be connected. A few words of warning: This will de-sync your DualShock 4 with your PS4, but re-syncing it is simply a matter of connecting the gamepad to the PS4, turning the system on and then pressing the PS button. Also, our pal Engadget reports compatibility with various games is "somewhat spotty," so don't be pushing your DualShock 3 off a cliff just yet. [Image: Sony]
Dragon Age gets Dorian, a gay guy with a 'stache of magic
BioWare writer David Gaider believes his personally penned Dragon Age character, Dorian, may be "controversial in some corners," but "a fully realized character to fans in the end." Dorian, a gay mage from Tevinter, joins the cast of Dragon Age: Inquisition having rejected the ruling hierarchy of his homeland.
Watch Dogs DLC with 3 new missions goes live today
DLC adding three single-player missions, new weapons and bonuses makes its way into Watch Dogs today. Season Pass holders received this round of DLC last week, but everyone can purchase it today for $7. The three missions are The Palace, Signature Shot and Breakthrough. In The Palace, you must sneak into the mansion of an internet mogul and wipe his hard drive before a planned police raid takes place, and then silence the mogul. Signature Shot has you intercept a biometrics weapon intended for the captain of the Black Viceroys gang. In Breakthrough, you have to get into a meeting between The Chicago South Club and a group of CEOs, but first you must take out the vehicles blocking surveillance devices positioned around the meeting. The pack also introduces the Biometric Rifle and Auto-6 Pistol, as well as bonuses, outfits and weapons boosts. [Image: Ubisoft]
PSN Tuesday: Sniper Elite 3, July's PS Plus freebies
PSN this week gets a bunch of goodies for PS4, PS3 and Vita, and a sneak peek at the free games heading to PS Plus in July. PS4 gets Sniper Elite 3, Puddle and Guacamelee Super Turbo Champion Edition, and PS3 has Sniper Elite 3, ConstantC, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn and El Chavo Kart. Vita this week gets Ubisoft's "playable poem," Child of Light. In July, PS Plus members can snag Doki Doki Universe, Muramasa Rebirth, Vessel, Dead Space 3, Strider and Towerfall: Ascension for free. [Image: 505 Games]
Evolve wins E3 Game Critics Awards, PS4 leading platform
As voted on by 29 publications, here are the winners of the Game Critics Awards: Best of E3. Spoilers: Evolve won quite a few, along with No Man's Sky and Smash Bros...
Paint the PS4 red when Crimsonland hits on July 15
Crimsonland is "not a complicated game," admits 10tons PR co-ordinator Jaakko Maanemi. The top-down shooter, hitting PS4s in North America on July 15 and Europe on July 16, is certainly aptly named. In Crimsonland your task is to gun down aliens using 30 ridiculous weapons, splatter blood everywhere, try to survive, and then shoot some more aliens and splatter more blood everywhere. Truly an avant-garde concept for gaming. Not that we're being snobby, it's just refreshing to see a studio put forward a game as it is. So, the lowdown on 10tons' remake of its 2003 affair: The new version adds HD visuals and a few fresh modes, with four-player local co-op supported across the whole game. A total of 60 campaign missions and full leaderboard support should keep PS4 and Windows PC players busy - the game's out now on Steam - while Mac, Linux and Vita versions are also on the way. The game is $14/£10.59 on Steam so expect that price on PSN, too. [Image: Sony Computer Entertainment]
USA! USA! (GTA Online picks up Independence Day Special)
We'd like to tell you about Grand Theft Auto Online's Independence Day Special update. We'd love to inform you that it will grant access to all kinds of patriotic gear, like an antique musket, an American flag T-shirt, a glorious mullet hairstyle and a fireworks launcher. We'd really like to explain that it also includes a handful of tweaks and the new On Call Matchmaking feature, which lets players accept a job invite and keep playing free mode until the match is full. We'd like to tell you all of those things, but we took one look at the above image and burst into a fit of patriotic tears. [Image: Rockstar]
John Cena sucks up the spotlight on WWE 2K15's cover
2K Sports revealed the cover art for WWE 2K15 this week, the second game in the series from the publisher. The cover art features the face of the WWE and current champion John Cena, posing in a way that indicates he's contemplating his unwavering commitment to his unchanging "never give up" persona. Fans will have the chance to make Cena give up via submission when WWE 2K15 launches on October 28 in North America and October 31 internationally. The game is in development by Yukes and Visual Concepts for PS4, Xbox One, PS3 and Xbox 360, and will be the first WWE game to step into the next generation's squared circle. [Image: 2K Sports]
LittleBigPlanet celebrates July 4 with free DLC costume
America celebrates its independence on July 4, and to properly ring in the holiday, LittleBigPlanet will offer a free DLC costume dubbed the "Sacktue of Liberty." In what has become sporadic tradition, come July 3, players of LittleBigPlanet, LittleBigPlanet 2 and LittleBigPlanet Vita will be able to download the burlap Lady Liberty from the PlayStation Network at no charge. This offer is only available for a week, however, so those hoping to flesh out their collection of Sackboy duds should grab the Sacktue of Liberty as soon as possible. Alongside the announcement of the gratis costume, Media Molecule notes that new levels have been added to the LittleBigNetwork's Team Picks section, including a pair of levels created for the recent SackQuest design competition. As with all community-crafted content, you can download these additional stages at no charge by visiting the LittleBigNetwork. [Image: Sony]
Just Dance is now an eSport
The realm of eSports isn't confined to fighting games, competitive FPSes, and MOBAs anymore. Ubisoft's Just Dance series has joined the Electronic Sports World Cup as the organization's first casual game. Just Dance competition finalists will be chosen during qualifying rounds taking place globally and online between June 24 and September 21. A group of 20 top players will then compete in a final round at Paris Games Week to determine the world's best money-maker-shaker. Awards will be announced soon. Players who would rather cavort in the privacy of their own homes can submit entries for the Electronic Sports World Cup through Just Dance's World Dance Floor mode during qualifying sessions on July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 31, September 7, September 14 and September 21. [Image: Ubisoft]
Gran Turismo creator, FIA plot to 'revitalize' motorsport
Following a recent collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile in which the FIA lent official certification to a number of Gran Turismo 6 tracks - a first for any racing game - series mastermind Kazunori Yamauchi took to Reddit to explain his plans for this new partnership. "In the collaboration that was announced with the FIA, my objective now is to really revitalize and reconstruct motorsports," Yamauchi wrote. "That's also the dream of the FIA chairman and so that's the goals that we're working toward." "The last message in the FIA press conference was that this is for the expansion and prosperity of motorsports for the next 100 years. That's exactly it - I've always wanted motorsports to become as popular as football or soccer and my feelings haven't changed regarding that." For those unaware, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit that governs a massive number of motorsport events around the world. It represents 213 organizations in 125 countries, and is widely seen as the world authority in racing high-tech, exotic vehicles. Obviously it would behoove the FIA to raise interest in motorsport, which ties right into Yamauchi's stated goals to push the sport to new heights of popularity via his development team's fan-favorite racing simulation. [Image: Sony]
Have faith Natural Doctrine will be out this September
Tactical RPG Natural Doctrine arrives in North America on September 16, before coming to Europe three days later on September 19. Kadokawa's PS4, PS3 and Vita game is now up for pre-order on the NIS America store, with the publisher's traditional array of limited edition extras available for each platform. Regular copies of the game are $60, $50 and $40 on PS4, PS3 and Vita respectively, with limited editions upping that by $20 on each platform. For that, your bonuses include an art book, poster and - oh - an "explorer's bag." A Vita tactics-RPG and a backpack is all you really need for a half-decent ramble, right? Perhaps some food and water too, at a stretch. As for Natural Doctrine itself, NIS America promises challenging turn-based combat across multiple characters in battle, while players can cross-play and cross-save across all three systems. Meanwhile, the story focuses on a group of explorers - ah, that explains the bag - who head underground to mine a rare resource. Things take a turn for the worse when they run into monsters, but luckily they have fantastic shampoo advert hair on their side. [Image: NIS America]
Sniper Elite 3 zooms up UK charts
EA Sports' UFC managed one week as the British king of the ring, but it failed to spot Sniper Elite 3 lurking in the audience. Rebellion's shooter displaced the fighter this week, marking the series' second time on top of the UK charts. Incidentally, how would you camouflage at a UFC event? What would you disguise the rifle as? Inquiring minds want to know. Anyway, UFC slipped to third with Watch Dogs resuming its watch in second place. GRID Autosport was the other new release to make the top ten, placing 7th, while Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark fell just short in 12th. Also outside the top ten and for the first time are 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil and Mario Kart 8, dropping to 11th and 13th respectively.
Fairy Fencer F reaching Europe, limited edition up for pre-order
Grudges between godly powers are no new thing, but Fairy Fencer F's divine powers of yesteryear were particularly careless in their battles – both the Goddess and Vile God formed weapons from their own energy to fight with, eventually sealing each other away and leaving their war toys strewn across the world for others to find. We already knew that North America would be showered with weapon-shaped debris on September 23, but Fairy Fencer F's official site lists a September 26 date of impact for Europe as well. If you're excited enough to drop $75 on Fairy Fencer F's Limited Edition, you can also go ahead and pre-order that from NIS America's online store right now, though Europeans should note that a dedicated storefront for their region will open on July 1. The bundle includes the PS3 RPG, a hardcover art book, a soundtrack and a 7" +1 Beanie of Dedication. [Image: NIS America]
Disney Infinity Toy Box Summit to challenge creators in August
For many of us, imagined adventures with toys are short-lived and typically concluded with 20-minute, WWE-esque brawls between TMNT's Raphael, G.I. Joe and Fashion Model Barbie. The more creative types among us have a knack for crafting tales from a box of ho-hum, mismatched toys, and we imagine they're the sort of people Disney will bring to its Toy Box Summit. Hosted by Disney Infinity developer Avalanche Software, the Toy Box Summit will run August 15-17 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and host a competition between the highest-rated content makers from Infinity's create-an-adventure Toy Box mode. The best work showcased at the Summit will be "leveraged" during the launch of Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes. Those that aren't directly invited aren't totally shut out from the event though – Disney will also run a video contest challenging fans to showcase their favorite Disney movie through Infinity's Toy Box mode. Contest Fan Kits will be distributed to participants, and though it's unclear how entrants obtain them, they will include "approved music, graphics, and game capture tutorials." Three winners will receive an all-expenses paid trip to join the Toy Box Summit, with 10 runners up getting a consolatory Captain America figurine for Marvel Super Heroes. Interested directors will submit videos to the Disney Infinity website, but the site's related post for the Toy Box Summit states that more will be revealed about the competition "in the coming weeks." In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to brainstorm pitches for your envisioned hybrid of Disney characters with the WWE universe. [Image: Disney]
Catlateral Damage knocks its funding goal off the shelf
We've got another game to be added to the rapidly-expanding genre of animal simulator games: Catlateral Damage, which started as a game jam project and charmed its way into our hearts back at the beginning of the year with a limited demo build, has met its $40,000 Kickstarter goal. The feline festivities are anticipated to make their way to Mac, Linux, PC and Ouya in Q4 of this year. The kitty train doesn't stop here, though. Developer Chris Chung has 12 more days to reach his stretch goals, which include extra levels, a PS4 version and support for Steam Workshop. Chung is also participating in Ouya's Free The Games Fund, which means that his financial support will double upon a successful close of the crowdfunding campaign - with some caveats. Meanwhile, at Catlateral Damage HQ ... [Image: Chris Chung]
