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Disney's big holiday movie will skip French theaters in release window protest
In protest of France's content streaming rules, Disney has announced that its latest animated film Strange World (aka Avalonia) will go straight to Disney+.
Star Citizen expected to reach $100 million in funding
Wing Commander, and more recently Star Citizen creator Chris Roberts recently delivered his BAFTA Masterclass presentation in Los Angeles and via Twitch, revealing target launch dates for each phase of the game. As reported by Polygon, the beta programs for the game's first-person shooter and planetside components are due this spring, followed by arena commander 2.0 ships in summer. Additionally, the first episode of the story-based Squadron 42 single-player campaign will arrive this fall, with the backers-only alpha program for the persistent universe part of the game due by the end of the year. Roberts expects that Star Citizen will see its commercial launch in 2016. The designer discussed the community engagement and crowdfunding efforts of the space simulation game, noting that the developer is "now close to $70 million, and it's likely the carry-on will probably be over $100 by the time the game is close to public release." Roberts stressed that Star Citizen's crowdfunding efforts "isn't really about the money," but rather "it's really about bringing people in to create this community and have them sort of share that experience with you as you're building it." [Image: Roberts Space Industries]
Magnetic: Cage Closed entering dark portal in March
Swedish developer Guru Games announced a new first-person puzzle game this week, Magnetic: Cage Closed. Slated to launch in March for PC via Steam, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Magnetic imprisons players in a dark labyrinth with a magnet gun, solving environmental puzzles to progress through the industrial facility. The game's announcement trailer gives strong Portal vibes, showing multiple wall and floor switches being activated with the toss of a heavy metal cube. Magnetic: Cage Closed will launch at $14.95 with a special edition slated to cost $19.95. It will be published by Gambitious Digital Entertainment and will be playable at PAX South this weekend. Guru Games' other project in development is the Oculus Rift-supporting, first-person horror game Medusa's Labyrinth. The developer canceled its Kickstarter project for the game in November after it came to a "standstill." It drummed up 55,805 SEK ($6,824) in support, far short of Guru Games' 2,500,000 SEK ($350,000 USD) goal. Guru Games discussed its failed crowdfunding campaign in a blog, acknowledging that it wanted to time the campaign with the Scandinavian launch of Kickstarter despite spending two weeks "creating a prototype, a card house of a game," before putting "it out there for all to see." [Image: Guru Games]
First Evil Within DLC 'The Assignment' due in early 2015
The Evil Within's first piece of downloadable content will launch early next year, Bethesda announced. Named "The Assignment," the add-on is one of two pieces of content that follows Juli Kidman, the partner of Detective Castellanos, the game's main protagonist. The DLC will be available individually at an as-yet-unannounced price, and as part of the survival horror game's $20 three-pack season pass. The Assignment's follow-up is The Consequence, which sticks by Kidman's side before the third DLC, The Keeper, arrives. The Evil Within launched in October and was met with mixed reviews, including our own that noted the game "requires so much repetition that it can't possibly maintain any sense of tension or unease, and its story is told so aimlessly that you'll likely forget the plot between scenes." The game recently received a 1 GB update to fix various bugs and improve its performance. [Image: Bethesda]
Bandai taking motorcycles out for a Ride in spring 2015
Bandai Namco reminded us of a universal truth today: Motorcycles are awesome. Hence the reason the publisher announced that Ride, a "complete motorcycle racing simulator," will launch in spring 2015, a good time of year to break out super-cool motorcycles and take them for a spin. The game is in development for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. Ride will feature more than 100 bikes from real-life manufacturers usable in four different racing categories: Superbikes, Supersports, Naked and Historical bikes. The game will also allow players to customize their bikes and riders (we're hoping for some sweet leather jackets to wear in-game). Ride is being developed by Milestone Srl, an Italian studio credited with work on the MotoGP and MXGP motorcycle racing series. [Image: Bandai Namco]
Smite enters beta arena on Xbox One early next year
Hi-Rez Studios plans to kick off its closed beta for Smite on Xbox One in early 2015. The developer revealed plans for its console beta at PAX Australia, as discussed by co-founder and COO Todd Harris in a recap video found after the break. The studio intends on launching the Xbox One beta in the first half of next year. The MOBA first arrived on PC in March, and has since reached over five million registered players. Smite was among a lengthy list of independent games confirmed for Xbox One during Microsoft's Gamescom press event in August. It will be the first console game from the developer, whose other PC efforts include Tribes: Ascend and Global Agenda. [Image: Hi-Rez Studios]
Shelter 2's first gameplay trailer says 'click this lynx'
Stockholm-based independent developer Might and Delight offered up its first gameplay trailer of Shelter 2 today, the studio's next PC exploration game. Found after the break, the video demonstrates the motherly lynx's survival and protection methods, including tracking down prey and cautiously trotting close to her cubs. The survival sequel features "more elaborate gameplay features than its predecessor," according to the game's site. Shelter 2 will add stamina as well as a greater variety of movement and killing abilities. Players will also be able to call their cubs to their side, carry them and encourage them to drink from streams. First announced in March, Shelter 2 is expected to launch on Steam, GOG and other digital platforms in February 2015 following its delay earlier this month. [Image: Might and Delight]
Hearthstone shuffles to iPhone, Android phones in early 2015
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft will reach iPhone and Android phones in early 2015, Blizzard revealed in a blog today. The developer said it is close to issuing versions of the collectible card game to smartphone players, but that "it's become clear that we need a little more time to get that version right." As a result, the small-screen smartphone version of Hearthstone won't be available until "early next year." As of September, Blizzard expected those versions to arrive by the end of the year, which is when it still plans on launching on Android tablets. "One of the biggest challenges with that is revamping the user interface so it feels intuitive and offers the same quality Hearthstone experience, but this time from the palm of your hand," the developer added. The CCG based on the World of Warcraft universe has already became mighty popular without getting a glimpse of the Google Play store: The free PC and iPad game reached 20 million downloads in September, and Blizzard also revealed that over two billion hours of the game have been played to date. Hearthstone began receiving its multi-part "Curse of Naxxramas" single-player expansion in July. [Image: Blizzard Entertainment]
SteamWorld Heist goes turn-based in spring 2015 [Update]
Image and Form Games announced its next project today, turn-based strategy game SteamWorld Heist. The next entry in the SteamWorld series is all about "space adventures and survival," according to the developer's announcement blog. In it, players captain "a team of ragtag robots" that loot the ruins of a destroyed world, boarding the ships of enemies and partaking in turn-based battles. The game follows the events in last year's SteamWorld Dig after a "cataclysmic event" crushed the planet and forced its citizens to spaceships. Still, Image and Form Games carefully noted that it's not a direct sequel to the game, just that it takes place in the same universe. The developer is aiming to launch SteamWorld Heist in spring 2015, and has not yet listed its targeted platforms. Update: According to a Nintendo of Europe interview with Image and Form, the game has been confirmed for 3DS. [Image: Image and Form Games]
Super Time Force Ultra finding time for Steam this summer
An "Ultra" version of Super Time Force will time travel to Steam this summer, developer Capybara Games announced today. The Steam version of the time-shifting game will include some "very cool (but presently very secret) stuff." The difficult, twitchy shooter first launched in mid-May for Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Additionally, Super Time Force's OST is now available via BandCamp and iTunes. The chiptune album includes 53 tracks and costs $7.99 ($9.99 on iTunes). Those that prefer to listen to the retro-style tunes in a more authentic fashion can buy the vinyl version on BandCamp for $19.99. [Image: Capy]
Cooking Mama 5 gets served on 3DS this September
Cookiing Mama 5: Bon Appetit will launch in North America this September. The 3DS game first took to digital kitchens in Japan this past November, bringing with it over 60 recipes for appetizers, drinks, main courses and desserts. The game includes six modes, one of which is a new "Cooking Dojo," and features more than 30 extra activities around players' houses and burger shops. Players will also have the option to customize Mama's outfit and kitchen with decorations obtained through the console's SpotPass feature. Majesco noted in its announcement that the Cooking Mama series has sold more than 13 million copies globally. The first game debuted on Nintendo DS in 2006. Cooking Mama 5 will arrive three years after the previous one for 3DS, Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic, which launched in November 2011. The upcoming game also features a four-player local multiplayer mode that uses the console's download play feature, allowing three friends to participate in a cook-off with one player that owns a copy of the game. [Image: Majesco]
Shin Megami Tensei 4 finally journeys to Europe in Q3 2014
After being lost and presumed KIA, Shin Megami Tensei 4 finally has a targeted European window of Q3 2014. In 2013 Atlus confirmed a European arrival for the 3DS JRPG, but the game only hit Japan and North America last year. This week, Atlus said it's self-publishing Shin Megami Tensei 4 as an eShop-only game, and it'll be English-language only. The news follow's Zen United returning Persona 4 Arena's digital rights in Europe to Atlus, suggesting the Japanese publisher may be starting to self-publish its games in European territories. On the other hand, there remains no word on European release details for the four recently announced Persona games, including Persona 5. [Image: Atlus]
Co-op shooter Helldivers drops this summer on Sony systems
As the weather clears up, we tend to break out our list of items well-suited for summer. Namely, we like to cruise in drop-tops and play top-down shooters once the sun is out and the temperature rises, and a recent PlayStation Blog post noted that Arrowhead's Helldivers will be one of those two to toy with in the sun (as a game, not a car). The multiplayer-focused, twin-stick action game will debut this summer for PS4, PS3 and Vita after it was first announced at Gamescom in August. Players on those three systems can come together in online cooperative missions to tear apart procedurally-generated levels thanks to its Cross-Save and Cross-Play support. Arrowhead locked in friendly fire for Helldivers however, so the term "cooperative" gets an extra point of emphasis for the game. There's still no word on whether Helldivers will be Cross-Buy-eligible, though. [Image: Arrowhead Game Studios]
NHL 15 skating to PS4, Xbox One this fall
Now that the NHL playoffs are in full swing, EA decided it's the perfect time to offer the first details for its next hockey game, NHL 15. As the first game in the series to grace Xbox One and PS4 this fall, much of its features focus on its visuals and physics. For starters, next-gen versions of the game will feature "12 player NHL collision physics" as well as rebuilt puck physics, the former governing all actions by every player on the ice (like when they slam into each other) with "real-world physics."
Minecraft to hit PS4, Vita in Q2/Q3, can transfer PS3 worlds
Earlier this month, Minecraft developer Mojang announced May 16 (North America) and May 14 (Europe) release dates for the game's boxed PS3 edition. In the comments of the PlayStation Blog announcement, Mojang's Owen Hill noted that the developer is "aiming for Q2/Q3" of this year for the PS4 and Vita versions. While Hill mentioned that Mojang will have news on Cross Buy and PS3-to-PS4 upgrade options in the near future, he did note that the developer hopes to include world transferring features. "The plan is to enable users to transfer from PS3 to PS4," he wrote. "We're still working out how it'll work with the Vita version." Mojang also recently showed off the PC version's upcoming world customization options, which will arrive in an update down the road. The sand-blocks adventure game finds success in every game box it lands in, as the developer recently said it surpassed 21 million downloads for Minecraft: Pocket Edition. [Image: Mojang]
Disney Infinity 2.0 arrives this August with Marvel heroes [Update]
Update: D23 has since posted a correction, noting it "erroneously reported about the launch of the next chapter of Disney Infinity" and that the information it provided was incorrect. It added that further information on the future of the series will be revealed on April 30. Original story: Disney Infinity 2.0 is slated to launch this August, according to a since-removed snippet from Disney's official fan club site, D23. While the D23 blog entry in question is still available to view, a cached version of it notes that the Disney Infinity follow-up "is coming in August 2014, and a teaser trailer can be viewed at Marvel.com," likely referencing the teaser posted by Marvel earlier this month. "The teaser promises such Marvel-ous additions to the game as familiar Marvel characters, objects, and vehicles-the possibilities are infinite," the site continued. The previous sandbox-style adventure game from Avalanche Software did wonders for Disney Interactive, driving its revenue to $403 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2014. The company also saw losses in Q2 2013 and Q3 2013 to the tune of $54 million and $58 million, respectively. That led to layoffs in its games and Internet divisions in March that numbered 700, at which point Disney said it plans to scale back annual game output "by as much as 50 percent." We've reached out to Disney to confirm the release window for Disney Infinity 2.0 and will update as we learn more. [Image: Disney]
Atlus elects to publish non-Kickstarted Citizens of Earth
Atlus announced plans to publish Citizens of Earth, a quirky RPG that follows the Vice President of the World on his quest to investigate the bizarre happenings in the town. Developed by Eden Industries, Citizens of Earth fell short of its $100,000 CAD ($91,600 USD) goal on Kickstarter in October 2013, raising just $36,875 CAD ($33,778 USD). The modern RPG takes after popular SNES classic Earthbound, with its humorous approach to world-saving adventures and includes recruiting mechanics in line with the Pokemon and Suikoden series. The Vice President brings "regular characters into the spotlight as heroes" for them to do his dirty work in battle, continuing their day jobs when not engaged in combat. The game includes 40 citizens, though ambitious fans are encouraged to enter a contest by Friday, April 18 on Atlus' site to create the 41st one for the game. Citizens of Earth is in development for PS4, Vita, 3DS, Wii U and PC and is expected to arrive on each platform's digital channels in North America and Europe in September 2014. [Image: Atlus]
Telepathic crime and noir stealth due in spring with Third Eye Crime
Third Eye Crime, the telepathic stealth game from a team of former Bungie developers at Moonshot Games, is due out in spring for mobile devices from publisher gameblyr. Moonshot will have a playable iOS build at PAX East later this week. Third Eye Crime stars Rothko, a criminal with the ability to predict the moves of his enemies – Rothko must use his telepathic powers to set up false leads for the authorities, allowing him to get away with nasty deeds. It's top-down puzzle and stealth in a noir setting, and it was almost a completely different game. Moonshot Games entered the indie industry with Fallen Frontier, a downloadable co-op shooter for consoles, but funding fell through. Moonshot switched up its business plan, targeting the mobile market, and until now it funded Third Eye Crime from the team's own pockets. "Post-PAX [2011] we came to the grim realization that the market had shifted pretty substantially since we first started working on the game," Moonshot co-founder Damian Isla said in 2013. "The console downloadable platforms had plateaued somewhat, and publishers were less excited about investing there. A game that had sold itself easily the first two times all of a sudden became a much harder sell the third time. By that time, the real interest and the accompanying dollars seemed to had moved on to mobile and social." We'll see if Moonshot is still on the right path with Third Eye Crime in spring. [Images: gameblyr]
Human Element set for Nov. 2015, Ouya prequel canceled
Human Element, the first-personal survival game from Robert Bowling's studio, Robotoki, will launch in November 2015 on PC, Bowling confirmed on Twitter. He added that the Ouya-bound prequel to the game was canceled "early on" as the developer shifted its focus to the CryEngine-based PS4 and Xbox One versions of the open-world game, which don't currently have a release date. Bowling left Call of Duty developer Infinity Ward in April 2012 to open Robotoki and announced Human Element in June 2012. The Ouya prequel was revealed soon after in July, at which point Bowling donated $10,000 to the microconsole manufacturer. The Human Element prequel was also slated to be the first console exclusive game for Ouya. [Image: Robotoki]
Killzone Shadow Fall drops new weapons and modes in April DLC
Killzone: Shadow Fall's first multiplayer expansion will launch in April with new weapons, abilities and game modes for the PS4 launch game. Titled "The Insurgent Pack," the expansion is headlined by the addition of the insurgent character class, which features hack and steal abilities. The assault, scout and support classes will also receive new abilities: Assault characters will gain access to a guard drone, scout players get an e-pulse emitter and support characters can send out a tactical echo emitter to stall infiltrating enemies. Insurgent Pack owners will also receive a single-player "elite mode," limiting them to three lives on hard difficulty in the Shadow Fall campaign, in addition to collectible crates that will spawn once per online match for a limited time. The DLC also includes the M82 assault rifle from Killzone 2 and Killzone 3, as well as the L512 SMG Pistol and Sta14 sniper rifle. Lastly, Sony announced that two of the free multiplayer maps for the game are now available to play on PSN. They arrive just as the game's multiplayer mode becomes free this week. [Image: Sony Computer Entertainment America]
