L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files Coming To PSVR, PEGI Ratings Reveal
For traditional players on Xbox and PlayStation who might not have known, Rockstar Games back in 2017 released a VR game based on Team Bondi’s L.A. Noire which for the most part follow suits the same formula of the 2010 title, except playing the game entirely in the first-person viewpoint. The title initially launching exclusively on PC for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the game has more platforms planned to migrate to. Recently it was discovered that upon the title turning two years-old this December, the game is scheduled to release for Sony’s PlayStation VR. According to a rating on the PEGI Ratings Board, the title will now be coming to the PlayStation 4’s headset alongside Facebook-owned Oculus, Vive, and the recent Valve Oculus. Upon the discovery, there is no strategic way to determine when the VR title will officially come to PSVR aside from the legitimate listing in Europe. But looking at the game’s initial release date landing in mid-December, there is the chance that we might see the PSVR launch sometime during the Holiday season. Especially looking at the close relationship between Sony and Rockstar Games, the release date should be in relatively close timeframe. Back in 2017, Rockstar Games introduced the previous generation title to the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and even the Nintendo Switch with a port which included visual enhancements for the modern machines and implementing some of the capabilities exclusive to Nintendo’s platform. L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files is currently available for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Valve Index. Source: UploadVR
‘Little Town Hero’ Revealed To Be Final Name For Game Freak’s Upcoming RPG, According To Trademark Application
Almost a year ago this coming September, Pokémon developer Game Freak officially revealed Town to be a fun turn-based RPG similar to their billboard franchise, but with more creative freedom as it is a unique IP to the developer. Since the trailer’s debut, no other detail regarding the title has emerged since. But now it was recently discovered that the name ‘Town’ was only a placeholder for the project until the developer was ready to share more on the upcoming title: through a recent trademark application made by Game Freak Inc., the filing reveals a new name, ‘Little Town Hero’. The trademark application reads the name in both English and Japanese as well which translates to Little Town Hero. With the trademark being processed in Japan, this could lead the title to potentially release first in that region, however, the initial announcement trailer which was present in the Direct stated that the game will arrive in 2019, so if that’s the case then there isn’t much time to space both releases for Japan and the West. Regarding when the Game Freak will be revealing the new title for the forthcoming project was not disclosed from the recent finding, but a safe bet is to expect more on the title to be presented at a future Nintendo Direct sometime later this year. Little Town Hero is currently listed for Nintendo Switch for a 2019 release. Source: Japanese Nintendo
No Man’s Sky Cannot Support Cross-Play Due To “Platform Restrictions”
Looking ahead of the online Beyond update for No Man’s Sky which debuted today for console and PC, many fans are already anticipating that the introduction of multiplayer to the game will inevitably bring cross-platform play to the table as well. However, that does not seem to be what the future holds according to a statement directly from the game’s studio. According to developer Hello Games, the team responded to an email which directed questions regarding No Man’s Sky has answered that cross-play is not in the picture for their 2016 title. Due to platform restrictions, there are currently no plans to bring cross play to No Man’s Sky. What these “platform restrictions” could truly mean translates to a lot of different reasons; some being where one platform stands towards cross play with another platform or a more technical barrier that would take too many resources to make a reality. Ultimately, it looks that Hello Games would prefer to keep the online lobbies for the title stable before embarking on users playing with different platforms. Today’s launch of the Beyond update also debuts the VR version for No Man’s Sky: players will have the opportunity to travel through Hello Game’s space explorer in virtual reality on PlayStationVR, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift. Do you think Hello Games should pursue cross-play for their title? Let us know in the comments below. No Man’s Sky is out now for PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, PlayStationVR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive. Source: UploadVR
WayForward Reveals Shantae 5 Official Name ‘Shantae And The Seven Sirens’
Shantae developer WayForward has revealed the next installment in the series with the announcement of Shantae and the Seven Sirens. Although the game’s studio has already disclosed that another title will be on the way, the developer is happy to share the name of the coming title alongside share some screenshots of the project. Here is the full synopsis provided from the announcement for the new title: “Shantae and the Seven Sirens sends the belly-dancing, hair-whipping, half-genie hero to a tropical island where Shantae and her friends encounter other Half-Genie allies, but they soon learn there’s trouble in paradise,” the description for the game reads. “As Shantae gets caught up in the island’s sinister secrets, she’ll use all-new dance abilities and instant-transformation Fusion Magic to explore the nonlinear, interconnected world where she’ll visit multiple towns, overcome treacherous labyrinths, and battle dastardly bosses.” WayForward has also detailed that the next title will support 4K resolution output, “gorgeously animated TV-style cutscenes,” and new characters along with returning favorites like Sky & Bolo. One game aspect that the developer highlighted is the new monster card gameplay feature that will allow players to customize Shantae’s play style to fancy how each respected player chooses to pursue. The burning question of when Shantae 5 will be available is left to time as WayForward has stated that that information as well as pricing for the title will be disclosed at a later date when the developer is ready to share that. Shantae and the Seven Sirens will be available for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Pc, and Apple Arcade. Source: WayForward
THQ Nordic Confirms Dambuster Studios To Take On Development For Dead Island 2
Where Dead Island 2 currently stands has been a question for a majority of this console generation since the game still has yet to receive a proper release after being announced back at E3 2014. Developer Techland abandoned the IP after the release of Dead Island: Riptide in Spring 2013 and went on to develop Dying Light in 2015 and an expected sequel to land sometime next year in 2020. However, publisher Deep Silver proceeded with the next installment in the series and announced the Dead Island 2 with Yager Development to helm the development of the next title. But events turned to the worst as the German-based developer announced to be leaving the project just a year after the game’s announcement. This then bounced the project to Crackdown 3 developer Sumo Digital, who alike Yager, also left the sequel towards other projects. On several occasions THQ Nordic alongside Deep Silver has reassured patient fans that the game is still in development, although there is no standing developer, the project has yet to be cancelled. Leading to December last year where word broke from an ex-Yager developer who detailed that Dambuster Studios is planning to take the torch in attempting to ship Dead Island 2. Dead Island 2 Might Have Swapped Developers, Again Now today through the Q1 financial report for THQ Nordic, it has been revealed that the British studio has been confirmed to taking the role in developing the sequel just five years after its announcement. “We have entrusted Dambuster Studios with the Dead Island franchise, bringing the development of this key franchise to one of our internal studios. They are now leading the development of Dead Island 2,” THQ Nordic CEO lars Wingesfors announces. Following questions regarding when the game will be set to release or what platforms has been left out of the statement. It is expected that THQ Nordic will share more on the game in the coming future: the best chances to expect the game is on the next line of hardware coming in 2020. Are you still waiting for Dead Island 2? Source: THQ Nordic
THQ Nordic Financial Report Details New Saint Row Title To Be In Development
Publisher THQ Nordic has revealed in the company’s Q1 financial report that developer Volition is currently working on the next installment for the Saints Row franchise. While Saints Row has received a few nods from other games like Divekick and even Volitions own Agents of Mayhem, the series has not seen a full flagship title since 2013. In the financial report, THQ Nordic CEO Lars Wingefors states that series’ studio Volition to be “deep in development’ for a new addition towards the Saints Row line of titles. Volition is deep in development of a brand-new Saints Row game, the first full entry in this much loved series since Saints Row IV was released in 2013. While this is the first tangible piece of information confirming that there is a new Saints Row title in development, the franchise as a whole has been relevant quite a bit this year. Back in May, Volition decided to release Saints Row: The Third for Nintendo Switch: out of the saga of titles to port, it’s surprising that no of the other installments are available on the platform as well. That same month, in an interview with Fate of the Furious Director F. Gary Gray it was announced that he will be taking the helm for a film adaptation of Volition’s video game series. At the time of the discussion, Gray was working in post-production for Men in Black: International, so the Director could already be working on the script or even casting for the upcoming film. Are you excited for a new Saints Row title? Source: THQ Nordic
