Compulsion Games announced their plans for We Happy Fewin the coming year. Currently, the developers consider the game to be content complete; however, they will be delaying the release of the game. Originally, We Happy Few was supposed to leave early access in April, but now they the game will launch in summer 2018 (winter 2018 for the Southern Hemisphere). The delay is a result of the major changes to the first two hour’s of Arthur’s storyline late last year resulting in more polishing work needing to be done.
Compulsion Games shared their reasoning for the delays in their latest production update video. To cap off the video, they share the very first footage of Sally, the game’s second playable character.
We Happy Few is scheduled to launch on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in summer 2018 (winter 2018 for the Southern Hemisphere). The game is currently available through Steam Early Access and Xbox Game Preview.
A BRAND-NEW DIGI-ADVENTURE BEGINS WITH DIGIMON STORY: CYBER SLEUTH —HACKER’S MEMORY, AVAILABLE NOW FOR PLAYSTATION® 4 AND PLAYSTATION® VITA
Dive into the Digital World and Take on an Exciting Adventure with the Help of Your Favorite Digimon
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (January 19, 2018) – Leading digital entertainment company BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. today announced the release of Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth — Hacker’s Memory for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®Vita handheld system (digital only).
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth — Hacker’s Memory brings classic turn-based gameplay back to Digimon fans and Japanese role-playing-game (JRPG) enthusiasts. Players take on the role of Keisuke Amazawa who has been accused of crimes he didn’t commit. Diving into the Digital World, players will unravel the truth behind the crimes, clear Keisuke’s name, and protect his family and friends. Players will travel between the real world and cyberspace in their journey and encounter unique characters from hacker groups including Erika Mishima, Chitose Imai, and Nokia Shiramine. These characters, as well as others, might be able to provide clues to Keisuke and help uncover the game’s true mystery. Throughout their adventure, players will also scan, raise, and train over 300 Digimon to assemble into teams and take into turn-based battles against rival Digimon.
“The Digimon franchise enjoys an incredibly loyal fan base and we are excited to bring Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth — Hacker’s Memory to Digimon fans as the series enters its 20th anniversary,” said Kasumi Yogi, Associate Brand Manager, at BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America, Inc. “Fans of the Digimon franchise and Japanese RPGs will find an all-new mystery full of adventure as they re-enter the Digital World. Together with the game’s new storyline and its classic turn-based battle system, players will find a highly engaging and rewarding experience awaiting them.”
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth — Hacker’s Memory is rated T for TEEN by ESRB and is available for purchase today at video game retailers in the Americas for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system at a MSRP of $59.99. The PlayStation®Vita handheld system version is available through digital download via the PlayStation Network for $39.99. Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth — Hacker’s Memory supports Sony’s Cross-Save feature, enabling players to transfer their save files between the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®Vita versions of the game. To learn more about BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.’s other products go to: http://www.bandainamcoent.com/home.html or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS or join the conversation at https://twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS.
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About BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc.
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc., part of BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc., is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for all major video game consoles, iOS, Android, and online platforms. The company is known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including PAC-MAN®, GALAGA®, TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, and ACE COMBAT®. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America Inc. is the premier publisher in the Western hemisphere for anime based video games including NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL Z®, and ONE PIECE®. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.com or www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS
Sydney, Australia – January 19th, 2018 – Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. today released the beta for METAL GEAR SURVIVE on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One™. Starting today until January 21st, 2018, fans can experience new features in co-op mode, including new missions and live events.
The beta features two maps containing three co-op missions. Participants in the beta will also earn in-game bonus items, which will be rewarded upon the full game’s release:
One FOX HOUND name plate
One Metal Gear Rex head accessory
One bandana accessory
METAL GEAR SURVIVE picks up from the ending of METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES. Players are pulled through a wormhole and land in a hostile world where they look for answers while trying to survive in the harsh environment. Not only will they fight off deadly creatures, but also explore and forage the environment for food, water and other resources to stay alive. Scavenged materials can be used to build weapons, buildings and other useful items, as well as develop a base camp, where crop growing and animal rearing facilities can be added. New weaponry will also be introduced to combat charging creatures and lethal environments, as well as familiar weaponry such as Walker Gears and Fulton balloons.
In the single player campaign, players will learn resource management, character progression through base camp development, and craft useful weapons and equipment that can be utilized in the co-op gameplay. In co-op mode, up to four players will thwart enemies together online and collect rewarding loot which can aid in the single player campaign.
METAL GEAR SURVIVE will launch on PlayStation®4, Xbox One™ and PC via Steam on February 22nd 2018.
Konami Group was founded in 1973, starting as an amusement machine manufacturer for arcades. Over the years, the company has grown to include different business units across various markets. Currently, KONAMI HOLDINGS CORPORATION includes the Digital Entertainment, Health & Fitness, Gaming & Systems, and Amusement Businesses. The company went public on the Osaka Securities Exchange in 1984, the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1988, and the London Stock Exchange in 1999. For more information, visit: www.konami.com/en
Nintendo announced their Nintendo Labo line of cardboard building kits designed to work with the Switch. The kits are scheduled to launch in Australia and New Zealand on April 20th. Each kit comes with laser cut cardboard that can be assembled into a variety of toys and software for the Switch to turn the toys into controllers. Three kits will be available.
The Variety Kit comes with five projects to create two Toy-Con RC cars, a Toy-Con fishing rod, a Toy-Con house, a Toy-Con motorbike, and a Toy-Con Piano. Each toy will have a corresponding mini-game on the Switch that will bring the toy to life. The Variety Kit will carry an MSRP of $99.95 USD.
The Robot Kit comes with enough parts to create a wearable Toy-Con Robot costume and several mini-games. By mounting the Joy-Cons into the costume’s backpack and docking the Switch, players are able to control the mini-games on the TV. The MSRP will be $119.95 AUD.
The final kit is a decoration kit to augment the Variety Kit and the Robot Kit. Containing stencils, stickers, and decorative tape, the Customisation Set has an MSRP of $14.95 AUD.
Our Take
While Nintendo is offering a laudable idea that bridges the gap between video games and more traditional, hands on toys, the MSRP is a bit shocking. Nintendo is expecting parents to spend $99.95 to $119.95 for essentially a handful of mini-games and laser cut cardboard. I have a hard time seeing parents opting to choose a Nintendo Labo kit when an equally child-friendly copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sits on the same shelf with an MSRP of $79.95 AUD. While I suspect the pricing is an attempt to compete with high end Lego kits, I suspect Nintendo Labo will need a price cut to match the MSRP of high end Switch titles as not to lose out to its number one competitor: itself.
When I was younger, I enjoyed sitting down each week like the nerd I am waiting for the newest Supernatural episode. It was always enjoyable and refreshing seeing the Winchesters fighting a different monster or cosmic entity week to week.
Of course, there was still an overarching plot usually involving the destruction of a powerful demon. This demon usually had ties to the monsters that showed up throughout a season, whether it was personal or they had summoned the monsters to protect themselves/kill the Winchesters.
I bring this up not only because it is an interesting trope that I enjoy and shows up in many other shows such as Buffy, Agents of Shield, X-files, Doctor Who, and even the American Sherlock series Elementary, but also because it is the title of an amazing Tabletop RPG.
Monster of the Week RPG uses the “Powered by the Apocalypse” system. This system uses only 2 six-sided die to determine whether events are successful. This system was utilised by other games such as Worlds in Peril, Apocalypse World, and MASHED.
The game consists of the players, known as “The Hunters”, and the Game Master, known as “The Keeper”. There are 12 hunter classes to choose from, each with a small but unique set of abilities. These classes are: The Chosen, The Crooked, The Expert, The Divine, The Flake, The Initiate, The Monstrous, The Mundane, The Professional, The Spell-slinger, The Spooky, and The Wronged. Each of these classes define a cliché present in Monster of the Week fiction; The Long-gunman from X-files, Castiel from Supernatural, John Watson from Sherlock etc.
These Hunters have abilities called “Moves”. There are moves all classes share: Charm, Cool, Tough, Sharp, and Weird. Charm is for convincing people and sometimes monsters. Cool allows you to act under pressure when being attacked or help someone out. Sharp helps with investigation. Tough helps you with protecting people or fighting. Finally, Weird is for magic use. Classes also have ones unique to them, which I will not go into detail to as there are around 7 for each class.
Each of these abilities ranges from -2 to +3, which denotes proficiency or lack thereof in a skill. A Spell-slinger will always have a higher weird than a Professional, while the professional will always have a higher tough than a Spell-slinger.
The Keeper has a unique roll from other RPG systems. They don’t roll at all.
This system encourages pre-planning and improvisation during play. The Keeper writes out what would happen if The Hunters hadn’t arrived in town, and The Hunters respond to the situations The Keeper presents. A Keepers most powerful move is the phrase “Something bad is happening”, which means that somewhere in the game world, something is going down that The Hunters should find and stop. This is usually the Monster or its minions enacting their plans.
There is always a sense of dread and terror in the air anytime The Keeper says this phrase, and it is always a good laugh to see the players scramble around looking for abilities to help with the situation, or making rolls to try to find out what’s happening.
All-in-all, this is an interesting system that is available for free from Evil Hat Productions. I encourage everyone to give it a try. There’s so much content in this game that, and you can support the creator, Michael Sands, by buying a PDF with more information and everything collated for only $12 from HERE. It’s definitely worth it if you and your friends enjoy monsters, anxiety, and using magic to try and solve all your problems, to the frustration of The Keeper.
GOOD SHEPHERD ENTERTAINMENT AND VILE MONARCH RELEASE OH…SIR!! THE INSULT SIMULATOR AND OH…SIR! THE HOLLYWOOD ROAST ON NINTENDO SWITCH™
AMSTERDAM – Jan. 18, 2018 – Good Shepherd Entertainment and independent developer Vile Monarch have launched their verbal jousting games Oh…Sir!! The Insult Simulator and Oh…Sir! The Hollywood Roast on Nintendo Switch™. Oh…Sir!! The Insult Simulator and Oh…Sir! The Hollywood Roast are now available via the Nintendo eShop for $1.99 and $2.99, respectively.
The original competitive roasting game, Oh…Sir!! The Insult Simulator’s comically contentious battle system lets players create quick-witted combos of disrespective dialogue to hurl at adversaries in one-on-one arguments. The game’s crude, quarrelsome characters possess their own unique voices, ticks and jabs with which to verbally decimate opponents.
Inspired by the heroes of the silver screen, Oh…Sir! The Hollywood Roast takes the torment to Tinseltown with a new cast of focus group-tested characters and features, as well as twice the vindictive vocabulary of its predecessor. An expanded career mode delivers new situations inspired by classic movie icons, while a revamped scoring system and new charged comeback mechanic make battles more dynamic than ever.
Both games have been rebuilt to take full advantage of the Nintendo Switch’s unique capabilities, as they allow players to verbally fight one another on a single system, each using a single Joy-Con controller in the game’s Versus Mode.
Oh…Sir!! The Insult Simulator is rated T (Teen) and Oh…Sir! The Hollywood Roast is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB. For more information, follow Good Shepherd Entertainment and Vile Monarch on Twitter @GoodShepherdEnt and @VileMonarch.
About Good Shepherd Entertainment
Good Shepherd Entertainment publishes video games from independent artists worldwide and operates a proprietary investment platform for a growing global network of qualified investors seeking risk-mitigated participation in the $130B video game industry. Originally established in the Netherlands in 2011 as an equity crowdfunding platform under the name Gambitious BV, the Company became a publisher in 2014 with the release of Train Fever, which was the first game ever successfully published with equity crowdfunding. The Company has since funded and released over a dozen original games across eight digital platforms. The founders of Devolver Digital and Croteam, two very successful companies in independent game development and publishing, invested in the Company and joined its management in 2012. The Company rebranded in 2017 as Good Shepherd Entertainment following an investment by Advance/Newhouse, having established a track record of success with both independent developers and investors. www.GoodShepherd.games
About Vile Monarch
Vile Monarch is a hard rock game studio created by two twisted minds: Kacper Kwiatkowski and Grzegorz Mazur, who catapulted from 11 bit studios, where they had worked together on This War of Mine. Soon after he was born, the Monarch started using his exceptionally skillful minions to start making engaging video games for various platforms full of surprising, novel ideas. And, what’s worse, he forced them to have fun while working! All of it to – you wouldn’t guess – conquer the world! Vile Monarch lives in his castle in Warsaw, Poland. He likes rock music, beer and Mad Max: Fury Road.
Flight Sim World® Enters Next Phase of Development
Dynamic weather dated for release in February update
CHATHAM, Kent – Jan. 18, 2018 –Flight Sim World®, developed by simulation specialists Dovetail Games, has entered its second phase of development. This phase sees the sim released from Steam Early Access as the development team moves towards making bigger, less frequent updates.
https://youtu.be/gKhqB8jQmXo
“We have some really exciting updates planned,” said executive producer Stephen Hood. “We are working on weather and world improvements, IFR, and the introduction of sleeker, faster aircraft, from business jets right through to the all-important airliners, all delivered with the key features that support them. The feedback our community has given during early access has absolutely steered the program for what we bring to Flight Sim World next.”
The Phase 2 content schedule includes:
A variety of aircraft, including airliners
IFR and ATC upgrades
World improvements
Dynamic and live weather
“We are confident that our players will feel the benefit of us focusing on their feature requests now that Flight Sim World’s foundations are in place,” said Rob O’Farrell, SVP of Development. “Larger updates will really allow us to deliver high-priority community features and aircraft this year.”
Since its initial launch in May 2017, 15 updates have been released for Flight Sim World, including the addition of Steam workshop functionality, passenger models, the ability to start all aircraft from a cold and dark state, advanced weather featuring trueSKY technology, lighting and rendering updates, and countless fixes and performance improvements.
The first major Phase 2 update will release on Thursday, Feb. 1, and will feature dynamic weather.
Flight Sim World is available to purchase from Steam or the Dovetail Store for $39.99.
About Dovetail Games
Dovetail Games was launched in 2013. Previously trading as RailSimulator.com Ltd, the business launched in 2009 initially producing and marketing Train Simulator. Today, Dovetail Games is responsible for developing train, flight and fishing simulation games for PC and consoles. http://www.dovetailgames.com.
Bigben Announces Retail Release For Snow Moto Racing Freedom on Nintendo Switch™ in North America This February
LESQUIN, France – Jan. 18, 2018 – Video game publisher Bigben has revealed it will launch the arcade sports game Snow Moto Racing Freedom on Nintendo Switch™ in North America this February. Developed by Zordix, the title will be available as a physical product at major retailers, as well as digitally via the Nintendo eShop, for $39.99.
Snow Moto Racing Freedom lets players experience downhill snowmobile racing at blinding speeds across seven competitive game modes, including Championship, Snocross, Freestyle, Spring, Time Trial and Leisure. Go for gold in 24 championships across 40 snow-heavy tracks in the Sprint League, Snocross and Freedom League divisions. Play alone, with up to eight players online, or with up to four players in local multiplayer, either split-screen or with each player using their own Switch devices in handheld mode.
Customize your driver and master 12 sleek snowmobiles, each with their own unique designs and power for the situation at hand, while performing a variety of gravity-defying stunts and flips on the slopes.
Snow Moto Racing Freedom is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB. For more information, visit https://snowmoto.us.
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About Bigben
Bigben is a major video game publisher, designer and distributor of mobile phone and gaming accessories as well as audio products. The group, recognized for its innovation and creativity, aspires to become a European leader in each of the sectors it is active in. http://www.bigben.eu
CAPETOWN – Independent developer Free Lives (Broforce, GORN) and Devolver Digital have pulled the world’s premier schlong ‘em up Genital Jousting out of Early Access and thrust the updated game onto Steam as a full release and announced the first-ever Genital Jousting Espurts World Championships, airing tonight. Genital Jousting 1.0 includes a brand-new story mode, featuring dynamic voiceover narration, which follows the trials and tribulations of a dick named John as he looks for love in a world that simply doesn’t love him back [http://store.steampowered.com/app/469820/].
Since its entry into Early Access late last year, Genital Jousting has satisfied more than 300,000 players and become one of the top online sex party videogames of the past decade. Free Lives and Devolver Digital are celebrating this milestone achievement with the release of a limited edition physical item and the announcement of Genital Jousting’s foray into the competitive world of electronic sports (esports).
The Official Genital Jousting Squeezable Plush™ from ESC Toy is available now for $30 and comes with several alluring features, including a custom ‘spurt’ sound chip, a fashionable sundress, and a shockingly long Steam code for Genital Jousting [http://merch.devolverdigital.com/].
The game’s launch also ushers in a new era in esports, as the first ever Genital Jousting Espurts World Championships will be broadcast live on Genital Jousting’s Steam page. Starting tonight, Jan. 18 at 5:00 PM ET, Devolver Digital and Free Lives will come together with some of the greatest Genital Jousting players in the world to put on an arousing display of skills not seen in any other competitive game. The broadcast will include competitive battles, story mode demonstrations, and free stuff, because that’s what really gets the views [http://store.steampowered.com/app/469820].
“Genital Jousting’s story mode is the greatest narrative ever created for the medium of video games,” noted Devolver Digital CFO Fork Parker. “This is the Citizen Kane of penis video games.”
Genital Jousting is available now on Steam at an engorged price of $6.99 to account for all the hot new throbbing content. For more information and to become part of the conversation follow @Free_Lives on Twitter and visit GenitalJousting.com on the internet.
FAIRYTALE PLATFORMER CANDLEMAN: THE COMPLETE JOURNEY SHINES ON STEAM ON JAN. 31
BEIJING – Jan. 18, 2018 – Candleman: The Complete Journey, the 3D platformer published by Zodiac Interactive and developed by Spotlightor Interactive, will arrive on Windows PC via Steam on Jan. 31 for $14.99. This new edition of the game, which first launched to critical praise on Xbox One in 2017, includes the previously released “Lost Light” DLC, a new time challenge mode, enhanced performance and framerate optimizations, and 4K resolution support.
“The game’s positive reception from press and players overwhelmed us for the whole year after its debut on Xbox One,” said Gao Ming, creator of Candleman. “We are extremely proud to see the game we created at Ludum Dare 27 be recognized by so many, and we’re incredibly excited to bring this journey to PC players later this month.”
Candleman: The Complete Journey is a stunning fairytale adventure featuring challenging platforming gameplay that cleverly blends light and shadow. As a little candle who can burn for only 10 seconds, players must venture through unsettling darkness and overcome a wide range of enchanted yet dangerous environments in search of a mysterious light in the distance.
For more information, visit the game’s Steam page, and follow the game on Facebook and @CandlemanGame on Twitter.
About Zodiac Interactive
Experts in global software publishing and boasting a wealth of industry knowledge. Based in Beijing, the team is using their experience to bring quality foreign games to the booming Chinese market, while also identifying and enabling exciting up-and-coming Chinese developers to reach their potential in the West.
About Spotlightor Interactive
Founded in 2009 by Gao Ming and Ma Xiaoyu, Spotlightor is an indie game studio based in Beijing, dedicated to creating innovative games which provide unique experiences through immersive interactive design.
