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Alone in the Dark reboot delayed to the oh-so-spooky month of January
The classic survival horror series Alone in the Dark recently announced a reboot set to release in October, but it just got delayed to January. This delay isn’t for the usual reasons. The game doesn’t need more polish or anything like that. It’s simply a matter of finding an audience in the bustling gaming month of October, given the flood of titles coming next month.
‘Alone in the Dark' reboot confirmed for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Today’s THQ Nordic showcase started with a bang.
You can buy a gold-plated Wii originally made for the Queen
A 24 karat gold Wii intended for Queen Elizabeth II is now up for auction, if you have deep pockets.
THQ Nordic will host a digital game showcase on August 12th
THQ Nordic will host its second annual digital showcase on August 12th.
Recommended Reading: Behind the wheel of the Polestar 2
The week's noteworthy writing on technology and more.
'Destroy All Humans!' returns to finish the job in 2020
15 years after the events of the original Kill All Humans! came to an end, Cryptosporidium 137 -- or Crypto to his friends -- is coming back to consoles and PC in a modern remake of the cult classic, THQ Nordic announced ahead of E3 2019.
THQ Nordic is the Frankenstein monster of video games
THQ Nordic has built a successful business out of the dead and rotting leftovers from downtrodden video game studios. Since entering the publishing biz in 2011, its specialty has been acquiring the intellectual property rights for midtier and AAA games and breathing new life into them. THQ Nordic has resurrected and remastered franchises including Darksiders, Jagged Alliance, Red Faction, Desperados and MX vs. ATV, to name just a few. The studio's latest purchase has been lifeless for six years, but it's a big one. THQ Nordic announced this month that it acquired the rights to Kingdoms of Amalur, the vast fantasy franchise from Rhode Island developer 38 Studios, which went down in flames and infamy in 2012. Amalur is just the latest limb sewn onto THQ Nordic's undead monster, but it's a clear representation of the company's unique, and so far lucrative, approach to publishing.
38 Studios' 'Kingdoms of Amalur' finds a second life at THQ
Curt Schilling's 38 Studios imploded years ago, but its gaming legacy might live for a while longer. THQ Nordic has bought the intellectual property for Kingdoms of Amalur, including the Amalur-based ( and unreleased) online RPG Project Copernicus. The publisher hasn't said what it intends to do with the fantasy franchise, but its team in Austria will conduct "evaluation of sequels and new content."
Horror adventure ‘The Black Mirror’ revived for modern gamers
Despite being released long after the point-and-click game genre's heyday, 2003's The Black Mirror became a gothic horror hit long before the unrelated British sci-fi anthology show. THQ Nordic tapped German developer King Art Games to revive the original game into modern adventure title, which is due for release on November 28th for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
'Darksiders' rides again on PS4, Xbox One and Wii U
Aside from the next Legend of Zelda Wii U owners don't have much to look forward to in terms of forthcoming games. Breath of the Wild is the lone glimmer of hope in the console's twilight years, but there could be another -- perhaps even before that new Zelda makes its debut next spring. If those folks are hankering for something similar, albeit with a post-apocalyptic take, maybe Darksiders: Warmastered Edition will fit the bill.
Playdate: Death becomes us in 'Darksiders 2'
When publisher THQ went bankrupt a few years back it was a staggering blow to the game industry. Sure, the company made some flops (oh hi, Homefront), but it also published some killer games like the Saint's Row and Metro franchises. The label also had Darksiders from developer Vigil Games. But unlike the first two series that I mentioned, Darksiders wasn't scooped up by a major publisher during the bankruptcy proceedings and comparatively was kind of left to languish. I'd honestly thought all hope was lost because while the series is great, it just couldn't really find an audience. So I was incredibly surprised when word came down that Darksiders 2 was getting a remastering earlier this year.
Red Faction: Guerrilla abandons GFWL for Steamworks
Following "over a month" of QA testing, the Steam version of destructible world shooter Red Faction: Guerrilla is now officially available. Unlike the original PC version of Red Faction: Guerrilla, the Steam edition does not rely on the now-defunct Games for Windows Live service for online functionality. Instead, it utilizes Valve's digital distribution service and the myriad features that come with it. Thus Red Faction: Guerrilla now features support for Steam Trading Cards, achievements and online leaderboards. To sweeten the re-release pot further, the game's developers also added a new "Behemoth" mode to the game as well as six new Wrecking Crew maps. Despite these changes, the Steam version of Red Faction: Guerrilla will recognize existing saves from the game's original release. If you own the Games for Windows Live version of Red Faction: Guerrilla, simply update to the new Steam version, start the game as usual and it will automatically attempt to import saves created prior to the patch. If you don't own Red Faction: Guerrilla, now would be a good time to grab a copy. The Steam edition is discounted to $3 for the next 48 hours. [Image: Nordic Games]
Nordic officially purchases de Blob series from THQ
Over a year and a half after it won dozens of intellectual properties in THQ's back catalog auction, Nordic Games announced that it closed an asset purchase agreement with THQ for de Blob today. With the rights to the series now officially owned by Nordic Games, de Blob joins properties such as Darksiders, Red Faction and MX vs. ATV on the Austrian company's list of games. The publisher acquired those brands in April 2013 for $4.9 million. "We are excited about what the future holds for this polychromatic extravaganza as the newest addition to our portfolio," Business and Product Development Director Reinhard Pollice said in an update on the publisher's site. "We will evaluate opportunities with the existing games, as well as potential sequels." De Blob launched in 2006 on PC before a THQ-published Wii version arrived in 2008. The paint-splattering, platforming follow-up de Blob 2 launched on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii in 2011. Nordic Games also reportedly acquired the THQ trademark under a separate agreement revealed in June, though the mark's listing on the USPTO's website still notes THQ as its owner. [Image: THQ, err, Nordic Games]
Report: Saints Row: The Cooler was canceled THQ brawler
Saints Row: The Cooler appears to have been a fighting game canceled in the twilight years of publisher THQ. Unseen64 reports the brawler, which was in development at Heavy Iron Studios, tried to capitalize on the motion control movement from several years back. Two versions of the game were planned, with one for Xbox 360's Kinect and the other envisioned for PlayStation 3's Move peripheral. Although it was supposed to be a motion controlled fighting game, The Cooler would have also reportedly have featured mini-games like poker tournaments and the ability to "get lap dances." Although, we imagine, providing lap dances would be a far better workout. Gotta work them glutes.
Report: Nordic to publish games under THQ trademark
Nordic Games has acquired the THQ trademark from the now-defunct company, Polygon reported. The mark was purchased in an agreement made outside of the April 2013 property auction following THQ's demise. Nordic will now have the ability to publish games under the THQ brand. It may do so with the MX vs. ATV series, as Nordic seemingly posted to THQ's official Facebook page following the trademark purchase to remind fans of the return of the racing brand. Nordic Games purchased MX vs. ATV, along with the Darksiders series from THQ. It announced plans in December to publish MX vs. ATV Supercross in the first half of this year. [Image: THQ, or wait, Nordic Games]
Saints Row: The Third now free for Xbox Live Gold subscribers
The Xbox 360 version of Volition's open-world mayhem simulator Saints Row: The Third is currently free for Xbox Live Gold subscribers as part of the service's ongoing Games with Gold promotion. Saints Row: The Third marked a sharp turn for the Saints Row franchise, transforming a once-straightforward crime drama series into a full-blown parody of the genre. The series would later reach new heights of ridiculousness in Saints Row 4, which we named as one of our favorite games of 2013. Microsoft recently expanded its Games with Gold program, pledging to release free Xbox One games for subscribers starting next month. [Image: Volition]
Darksiders 2 reappears on European Wii U eShop
After nearly a year's absence, Nordic Games brought Darksiders 2 back to the European Wii U eShop. The game was removed from the eShop at the end of March 2013 following the back catalog auction of THQ's properties, the result of the publisher's closure. Nordic Games spent $4.9 million to acquire the Darksiders series from THQ, and said in June 2013 that it wanted to find a developer for the series and do right by it. Darksiders 2 was a day-one launch title for Wii U that included off-screen play and DLC on the disc from the game's PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. [Image: Nordic Games]
THQ sues EA, UFC: EA fed inside info to UFC owner, THQ says
THQ has sued EA and UFC parent company Zuffa, claiming EA intentionally damaged THQ's relationship with Zuffa to broker a deal of its own for the UFC license. THQ claims EA used inside knowledge about its financial situation to commit "tortious interference" with its contract, and THQ is seeking to recover the value of the UFC property, the profits of the UFC franchise and at least $10 million in damages from EA. The suit also aims to disallow Zuffa's bankruptcy claims against THQ. In early December 2011, EA considered buying THQ outright and the two companies entered negotiations, according to THQ's suit filed with the Delaware district court. THQ says it provided EA with detailed financial information, including revenue and projected stats on its UFC franchise. On December 12, 2011, EA walked away from the potential buyout, and on December 30, 2011, Zuffa sent THQ a Demand Letter expressing the intent to terminate the UFC license. Though the UFC franchise was worth $20 million, THQ settled with Zuffa for $10 million. EA snagged the UFC license in 2012. EA Sports UFC is due out in 2014 for Xbox 360 and PS4. On December 19, 2012, THQ filed for bankruptcy. Looking back, THQ puts the pieces together as follows: "Prior to the Demand Letter, EA contacted Zuffa, informed Zuffa of THQ's perilous financial condition and expressed interest in acquiring the UFC franchise directly from Zuffa, causing Zuffa to threaten termination of the UFC license." An EA spokesperson tells Polygon, "We believe these claims are without merit."
Gearbox remaking Homeworld 1 and 2 for Windows
Gearbox announced plans at PAX Australia to warp drive HD remakes of Homeworld 1 and 2 to Windows this year, following their recent acquisition of the franchise from THQ for $1.35 million. Direct ports of the original games will also be made available on unspecified digital distribution platforms for Windows. Gearbox Software CCO Brian Martel expressed his fondness for the series in April after the purchase, stating his intent to make them "accessible on today's leading digital platforms" in a statement released by Gearbox. Relic Games, creator of the Homeworld franchise, was sold to SEGA during the liquidation of THQ's assets and is currently working on Company of Heroes 2. Part of the Homeworld development team has since left the mother ship to begin work on a more grounded RTS, Hardware: Shipbreakers.
South Park creators were unaware of THQ sale until it was in the news
Speaking at San Diego Comic Con this week, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone revealed that they had no knowledge of former South Park: The Stick of Truth's publisher THQ's bankruptcy and sale until the news broke publicly. "We really just read about it in the news," Parker said, "that they were going bankrupt, that someone else bought [the rights to] the game." Facing potential cancellation, the pair joked, "Oh, good, it's over!" The duo's enthusiasm for the project picked up once Ubisoft acquired publishing rights for The Stick of Truth. "Once we heard who had bought it, we got really excited," Parker said. "We flew up to [Ubisoft] and all that momentum picked up and we got really excited again." South Park: The Stick of Truth will launch for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC platforms on November 19.
