February 2020 Free Games For PlayStation Plus Inaugurates PSVR With Fire Wall Zero Hour
It was revealed just yesterday that owners over on Microsoft’s platform regarding Games with Gold will be receiving well-known titles like Call of Cthulhu and Star Wars Battlefront. However, there is also a slew of new games that will be releasing for PlayStation Plus subscribers also in the coming days. Announced earlier today, Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed that this latest edition of free games for PlayStation Plus will introduce three games this month. It has been well over a year since Sony originally announced to be scrapping support for free titles on the preceding PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. However, the addition of a third introduces a new platform to PlayStation Plus, PlayStation VR. Revealing that First Contact Entertainment’s Firewall Zero Hour will be the first PSVR-supported title to be provided via PlayStation Plus. Of course, the two other titles gifted to PlayStation Plus owners for PlayStation 4 is Maxis’ The Sims 4 and Blind Squirrel Games’ Bioshock: The Collection which will be available to download later this week. The debuting virtual reality title for PlayStation Plus Firewall Zero Hour is a strictly first-person shooter which puts the player in the shoes of a breach & clear experience. Divided between 12 differing Contractors to choose, each holds a unique ability and secondary which differs how gameplay will unravel when in combat. Those aware of prior same-name entries should be familiar with what The Sims is. The fourth installment in the series offered a complete overhaul to the Create a Sim (CAS) feature that has been a stepping stone for the franchise since the beginning: this version allows for more drastic and in-depth functionality to create your sim. Another change made was the combination of build and buy mode which we always separate in prior titles. Lastly, Bioshock: The Collection as the name reads includes all three installments of the series developed by Irrational Games: Bioshock, Bioshock 2, and Bioshock Infinite. The Collection being developed Blind Squirrel Games introduced a complete remaster of the first two games alongside the separately sold content for each respected title. For the hardcore fans, there is also Director’s Commentary which Creative Director Ken Levine lead Artist Shawn Roberston talk about the development for the first installment. While February is scheduled to commence this coming Saturday, you still have plenty of time to pick up this month’s free games for PlayStation Plus. Both Goat Simulator and Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection are available to download until February 3rd. Source: PlayStation Blog
PlayStation Productions Pushes Release For Tom Holland’s Uncharted Film To 2021
What seems to be an endless chase down a narrow hallway, the Uncharted movie is even farther than we already had expected. It was reported this weekend that the live-action film adaptation of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s beloved IP has been pushed from the initially scheduled release for December 22nd this coming holiday to March 2021 next year. According to a report over from the Hollywood Reporter, Sony has repositioned a few projects on their schedule due to the recent departure of former Uncharted Director Travis Knight. Knight now is the sixth Director to leave the project since the initial planning of the movie translation back in 2009. Upon the unfortunate delay for anticipating fans for Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg’s debut as the series’ protagonist on the silver screen, the entertainment-focused outlet also discloses that this push have rearranged the scheduled release for He-Man Master of the Universe film as well. The project originally planned in 2007 for the new March date that Uncharted now fills, it is undetermined when the project will arrive to the box office as of yet. In light of now two well-awaited projects expected to hit the big screen next year, we do learn of the next potential candidate t take Travis Knight’s position. The Hollywood Reporter tells that Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Venom) is a possible runner-up to direct the Uncharted motion picture. Fleischer’s merit based off Sony’s previous productions, his addition does illustrate high likeliness to stick around if this rumor comes to fruition. Are you still patiently waiting for the Uncharted film? The Uncharted movie is scheduled to release on March 5, 2021. Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Gylt & Metro Exodus Headlines Google Stadia Free Games For February 2020
It came as a surprise when we discovered that Google Stadia when arriving back in November would also launch a free game initiative similar to PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Games with Gold. Although the first month of free titles were revealed a couple weeks following the release of Stadia, Google did refund those who already purchased the respected games. Now leading close to the second month of 2020 already, Google has announced what the next two titles will be coming to Stadia Pro subscribers for the month of February. Revealing that Stadia-exclusive Gylt from Tequila Works and 4A Games’ Metro Exodus will be arriving next week. From the developers of Rime, Gylt takes a grimmer approach to the Spanish studio’s traditional route for storytelling. Following the story of Sally, you witness regular day settings melt into a nightmare as you must face the fears ahead of you and overcome the challenges that are laid throughout the duration of this ordeal becoming reality. In Artyom’s third adventure in the Metro series, Exodus leads the protagonist outside of the titular fallout haven that shielded him from the war before in search for a new home. Taking helm on the Aurora, you will face a slew of new experiences never introduced in prior entries atop of new obstacles that you will have to hurdle along the way. Exodus is a video game adaptation of Dmitry Glukhovsky’s titular book series. It was earlier this week that we learned that developer 4A Games will be adding the second DLC for Metro Exodus with Sam’s Story next month. So users on Google’s platform can hop right onto the game and pick up both story expansions while they are at it. Thankfully this is not a similar situation that occurred with Borderlands 3 as Stadia’s version still has yet to receive the first DLC add-on for the game. Do you plan on picking up these two games next month? Stadia is out now for PC, mobile devices, and television. Source: Google
Report: Ninja’s Sum Received From Mixer Debut Expected Between $20 and $30 Million
August of last year became a monumental moment in gaming history when it was discovered that influential streamer Tyler Blevins would be departing from Amazon-owned Twitch in favor for the still uprising Mixer on Microsoft’s platform. It was puzzling as to why one of the biggest people on Twitch would up and leave for a smaller streaming service, and the reasoning for that has still yet to properly be disclosed by either Ninja himself or Microsoft. However, according to a recent report on CNN Business, the reason that swayed him could possibly be standing in tens of millions of dollars. In the piece, we learn that Ninja among other well-known streamers have begun leaving Twitch as well in favor for multi-million dollar contracts on small scale streaming platforms aside from Mixer. When the topic of discussion approached Ninja’s situation, it was cited by Justin Warden, CEO of Ader, that Ninja’s agreement with Microsoft is roughly between $20 million to $30 million. Warden runs a marketing and talent agency that Ninja has worked with which gives merit to the claim of how much is involved with the agreement. Among the most famous streamers online, Warden explains that these contracts that influence them to leave Twitch can also be applied to smaller streamers as well. Stating that if a streamer can run a consistent 10,000 viewers per stream, they are eligible for the proposed contract. While larger-scale streamers will be met with deals roughly to what Ninja received around $10 million, smaller streamers are expected about $1 million roughly. Now with the lid off regarding what might be the biggest deal settled for a Twitch streamer as of yet, it is expected the same or in smaller scale can also be applied to following departures for other popular streamers like Shroud with Mixer or even CouRage when he announced his move to YouTube. Interesting enough, these multi-year agreements and contracts that have acquired exclusive air time from these streamers is also witnessed with popular esports events as well. Most recently, Activision Blizzard finalized a deal to stream showings for the Overwatch League and Call of Duty League exclusively on YouTube. What do you think about Ninja’s reported sum he is receiving from the stream deal with Microsoft? Source: CNN Business
Polygon: Video Game Consoles Are Exempt From Chinese Import Tariffs “Until Further Notice”
Since the announcement of the 25 percent increase on tariffs for Chinese goods conjured by the Trump Administration sometime last year, the overall market concerning video games and electronic systems began to go into a panic as it would put a steady halt on the rapidly growing industry. However, it was until this past November that it was reported that both the United States alongside China have come to an settlement through negotiating a Phase One Deal. The agreement discussed between the U.S. and Chinese Ministry of Commerce suggested an appeal which would exclude the tariff to be applied towards video game consoles among other projected goods that will be hauled out of China. Despite the timing of the Phase One Deal just days ahead of the postponed date for the tariffs commencement, the agreement was not settled – instead they have finally processed this week in January 2020. According to a report over on Polygon, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) confirms with the outlet that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has ‘suspended’ the tariffs on video game consoles last week. USTR has suspended the tariffs on consoles until further notice. We are encouraged that the Administration suspended the implementation of tariffs on video game consoles and controllers. These tariffs would have significant implications for our industry, which boasts a trade surplus for the American economy. Although it looks that console manufacturers are safe for the time being, the same cannot be said for tapletop on the other spectrum of gaming. Especially as more modern sets for tabletop requires certain raw materials necessary to create these games, the platform might fall under the imposed tariffs on the Chinese market. While this will not leave a severe burden on the U.S. economy as video games would, it is saddening that tabletop might not be valid for exemption. Speaking with the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Executive Director John Stacy tells of efforts to implement the same exception for tabletop and related products. “We are working to roll these back as well as prevent the imposition of tariffs on toys and games which was paused by the Phase One Agreement.” The discussion then turns towards production alternatives through different countries such as Mexico or across the Atlantic in Europe. While tabletop is primarily funded through crowdfunded initiatives like Kickstarter, the best solution would be for the consumer to sway the Trump Administration into rethinking the tariffs again, Stacy shares. Source: Polygon
February 2020 Games With Gold Titles Reveals Call Of Cthulhu & Star Wars Battlefront
It always seems like the first month of the year might possibly be the longest, especially for a new decade, but we are actually on the brink of February believe it or not. And with no better way to celebrate the second month of the year than with the next batch of free game for Xbox Games with Gold. Earlier today, Microsoft reveals that Cyanide’s Call of Cthulhu and Bigben Interactive’s TT Isle of Man will be arriving to Xbox One. While the preceding Xbox 360 will be met with Fable Heroes by the now-closed Lionhead Studios and also-closed team Pandemic Studios’ 2004 title Star Wars Battlefront will be coming via original Xbox backwards compatibility. Starting on February 1st, Xbox Live owners can expect both TT Isle of Man and Fable Heroes ready for download. While the racing simulator will be available for free throughout the entirety of February, Fable Heroes is only up for grabs until February 15. The following day, Call of Cthulhu will be available for download until March 15 and Star Wars Battlefront to be listed for free download until February 29. As for last month’s games regarding January 2020’s lineup, you have until January 31st to install Styx: Shards of Darkness and Lego Star Wars 2: The Original Trilogy. As for Batman: The Telltale Series, the game will be up to download cost-free until February 15. Which game grabs your attention the most next month? Source: Xbox Wire
