Second Extinction Arrives To Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass In Late April

While May 2020 is almost a year ago, it did not feel that long ago that developer Systemic Reaction revealed Second Extinction. The game as the title implies is set on an Earth where dinosaurs are back roaming the planet. But unlike how the reptile adversaries were wiped from the surface of the world, now humans are the one with the concern on their shoulders. Back in fall last year, Steam Early Access witnessed Second Extinction’s arrival. But, many Xbox players are questioning when the release will take place for Microsoft’s system. The Xbox company did showcase the game in preparation for Xbox Series X, so it is presumed the release should be soon. Well, Systemic Reaction did state soon after that a spring 2021 launch can be expected for the game’s addition to Xbox Game Preview in the coming months. Now in a new brief trailer for Second Extinction, System Reaction reveals the release date is coming just at the end of April next month. You can watch the video in the footage below: In addition to the game’s arrival to Xbox Game Preview across both Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S, Second Extinction is also making way for Xbox Game Pass as well. But, that is only for the console version as what can be gathered from the announcement for Xbox Game Preview, of course. As for other coming additions to Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft highlighted an additional 20 somewhat games that are to be arriving to the service from diverse independent studios throughout the course of 2021. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited the wait for Second Extinction is close to being over? Second Extinction arrives to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on April 28, 2021; out now for PC.

Exomecha Receives August 2021 Release Window In New Gameplay Trailer

Though Microsoft did show to be very prevalent in continuous announcements weeks prior, this past week appeared to be more tame in comparison. But despite the toned down number of announcements and the respected amount of anticipation that follows the respected reveal, that does not mean there is nothing to share entirely. In that, Microsoft in partnering with Twitchgaming revealed the/Twitchgaming Showcase: ID@Xbox livestreamed show scheduled to take place this past Friday. With more than 20 games said to be revealed during the show, there are surely some impactful updates on pre-existing titles that were already announced previously. One being TwistedRed’s Exomecha: announced back in fall 2020, the game appears to be a Crysis successor with futuristic weaponry while set in desolate beaches and landscapes. Initially announced with a settled release date, Exomecha is now said to arrive this August in the latest trailer. You can watch the footage in the video below: “Exomecha is a brand new free-to-play online competitive first-person shooter that takes place in Omecha, a new and untouched planet with exotic environments. Exomecha offers you breathtaking gaming experience with its flexible playing style, mechs, unique gadgets and abilities, and boss battles,” the studio’s website shares for Exomecha’s overview. For those unfamiliar, sign-ups for Exomecha’s beta is up now on the game’s website. As part of the reveals that took place during /Twitchgaming Showcase: ID@Xbox, Microsoft reveals roughly 20 games that will be arriving to Xbox Game Pass at launch throughout the course of 2021. You can read the full list by heading here. Are you planning to drop into Exomecha later this summer? Exomecha is scheduled to arrive sometime in August 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

THQ Nordic Opens Ashborne Games, Already Began New IP Featuring “Historical Strategy With RPG Elements”

While branded with the reputation to purchase/acquire major talent that lives throughout the Nordic region as given by the name, THQ Nordic is also reputable for opening new game development studios as well. Namely, the Austrian publisher back in February 2020 opened Nine Rocks Games which is comprised of talent that worked on Soldier of Fortune 3, DayZ, and Chaser. However, the firm’s latest endeavor took place back in mid November where THQ Nordic alongside its parent company Embracer Group issued that the company will be acquiring 13 studios. Among the mix, namely developers like Purple Lamp and Zen Studios were shared to be part of the major purchase. Now in a new announcement that took place this past week, THQ Nordic is opening a new subsidiary studio in the Czech Republic, Ashborne Games. The team is said to be a support studio for the upcoming Comanche game and has already commenced work on a new IP as well. While we have experience with various game genres and free-to-play titles on consoles and mobile, our current focus is to deliver full-length games based on the premium business model. The team has already started laying the groundwork for a brand new IP. Since the concept is still in development, we can only give you guys a hint – it’s going to be a historical Strategy with RPG elements. Petr kolar, Ashborne Games Studio Manager Currently, Ashborne Games is said to consist of 38 employees for the Brno studio – of that is divided between 11 departments. Additionally, the Czech Republic team shares to further expand with additional job listings up for the studio. As COVID-19 is still la major concern, the developer already plans a renovated studio in Brno to be done. As for what is already promised to be shipped by Embracer Group, the forming of Ashborne Games only adds more to that list. As of May 2020, the parent company had over 110 games prepared to be release with 69 of them already announced at the time of reporting. You can read the full report by heading here. Do you find your interests piqued for this new IP by Ashborne Games? Source: Ashborne Games

Amazon Games Forms Montreal Team To Work On New Multiplayer IP With Former Rainbow Six Siege Developers

While many of the attention is pinned on Google for its now established cloud streaming video game platform Stadia, it should still be considered that Amazon is currently in the phase of entering the same market as well. Back in October launched the retail conglomerate’s video game streaming platform dubbed ‘Luna’. As of now, Luna is currently still in the beta phase of ifs lifespan as of writing. However, while Stadia Games and Entertainment closed its doors this past February, changes are being made at Amazon Game Studios. Although the current MMO RPG New World faces its latest delay with the title now scheduled to ship later this summer, Amazon is doubling down on its internal studios with a new branch in Canada. In a new press release from Amazon this past week, it is announced that the firm will be opening a video game division in Montreal. Even more, the leadership behind this new studio will be comprised of former developers for Ubisoft Montreal’s Rainbow Six Siege. Montreal’s rich vein of creative talent will be a valuable asset as we continue building our development and publishing teams. The highly skilled and experienced team at our new Montreal studio shares our commitment to creating best-in-class online games, and brings with them a wealth of knowledge and passion for building deep, community-focused multiplayer experiences. I look forward to watching them invent on behalf of customers as they grow their team and develop their first project. Christoph Hartmann, Amazon Games Vice President Namely, there are four founding employees that make up Amazon Games Montreal in the press release: Luc Bouchard as head of production, creative director Xavier Marquis, Alexandre Remy to be head of product, and Romain Rimokh to overlook as content director. The four of them are said to lead for a new unannounced multiplayer IP. “Building upon 8 years of experience with Siege, we are excited to start with a blank page and the creative freedom to create a completely unique experience in the multiplayer space,” Marquis shares in the press release. “From our first discussion, we felt a true connection with the people at Amazon Games, their approach to gaming and the sheer amount of knowledge, expertise and technology available there. “It is quite humbling and we couldn’t be more excited to start a studio with them.” While the direction for Amazon is promising now with the new Montreal branch, there is still some tenseness as to what could happen after looking at Stadia. Even more, it was not long until Luna head Marc Whitten announced to be stepping down from leading the platform last month. But, there are the potential forecast for blue skies heading towards Amazon’s video game division. Following the appointing of And Jassy to be the new Amazon CEO following the stepping down of Jeff Bezos, Jassy commented on the potential that its video game division could offer if executed properly. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you interested to see how Amazon Game Studios will perform with this new Montreal team? Source: Amazon Games

IO Interactive Reveals Seven Deadly Sins DLC Collection, ‘Greed’ Arrives This Tuesday

While it might seem a little bits away, Hitman 3’s release only took place this past January. And with now a third installment finally available concluding IO Interactive’s Assassination Trilogy, the developer begins to shift momentum to its next project outside of Hitman. However, the team does press that this will surely not be the end of Agent 47’s universe by any means. Even more, the Swedish developer further reiterates on the matter by disclosing that the team has already commenced development for downloadable content for Hitman 3. However, the game studio only lightly elaborated on the topic and fails to leave context as to what the coming add-ons will be. “We are definitely going to be doing some DLC, but we haven’t defined what that is,” Executive Producer Forest Swartout Large shared. Now in a new announcement from IO Interactive, the first DLC for Hitman 3 is to begin on March 30. Additionally, the format for how added content will be structured is through the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’; beginning with ‘Greed’ this coming Tuesday. You can watch the reveal trailer in the video below: “Hitman 3: Seven Deadly Sins will be released over time through seven unique content packs,” IO Interactive explains. “Each of the seven packs are focused on a different sin and include a visually distinct contract, sin-themed unlockable suit and at least one sin-themed item that can be used across the World of Assassination. Some items may also have unique properties to remind you of the sin they are inspired by…” As depicted by the final title card of the trailer, there are six more additions to take place following the Season of Greed: Pride, Sloth, Lust, Gluttony, Wrath, and Envy. While IO Interactive supplies its ambitions for the coming add-ons, the studio leaves out when to expect more content later on. Before you tackle the Seven Deadly Sins, Rectify Gaming highly suggests you read through our full review for Hitman 3. Our critic David Rodriguez pens his take of the game “delivers a perfect hit”. You can read the complete review by heading here. Do you see yourself tackling the Seven Deadly Sins in Hitman 3? Hitman 3 is out now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Source: IO Interactive

3D Realms Reveals New ‘Aftershock’ DLC Expansion For Ion Fury, Arrives In Summer 2021

This coming summer will mark two years since the arrival of 3D Realms-published and Voidpoint Games-developed Ion Fury. Of course, that was not the intended name of the title if you might remember. Ahead of the game’s release, the initial title ‘Ion Maiden’ grew some conflict with rock group Iron Maiden and was followed by legal trouble which resulted in the name being changed to what we are most familiar with now. But, aside from a difference in name, game studio Voidpoint Games is not entirely finished with the IP just yet. Back in September last year, the developer teased a snippet as to what will ultimately be a new expansion for Ion Fury. While not providing much on the basis of the add-on, Voidpoint Games did leave in that the DLC will be shipping in 2021 the coming year. Now in a new trailer that arrived last week, Voidpoint Games & 3D Realms unveils Ion Maiden: Aftershock which is scheduled to arrive this summer. You can watch the trailer in the video below: “After defeating Heskel in her previous adventure, Shelly Harrison decides to celebrate at a local bar,” the overview on Steam reads for the add-on. “When explosions interrupt her tasty beverage, she rushes out to find Heskel in a monstrous flying machine, cackling madly as he rockets away toward a mushroom cloud on the horizon. “Instinctively, she reaches for her Loverboy revolver, cocks it, and searches for the fastest transportation she can find—a sleek and powerful high-speed Hover Bike, armed with Drunken Homing Plasma Missiles. Shelly’s fight against Heskel continues with multiple brand-new zones to explore, new dangerous enemies, new armaments to destroy them with, and some amazing high-speed vehicle combat.” Are you planning to drop back into Ion Fury for Aftershock later this year? Ion Fury is out now for PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Source: Steam

First Gameplay For Sherlock Holmes Chapter One Revealed In New Trailer

To understand what developer Frogwares is pursing with the next Sherlock Holmes title, the team is not pursuing a new mainline installment for the franchise. After developing over a handful of releases for the titular detective, Frogwares is pursuing a new perspective for Sherlock Holmes following the younger years of the protagonist before he climbed to stardom. Announcing Sherlock Holmes Chapter One, Frogwares aims to develop a striking entry in the series with the game in mind for a cross-generation release sometime later down the road in 2021. As of the initial report, Frogwares did not issue when the title is expected to arrive aside from the general release window. However, a new trailer has been uploaded this past week which unveils the first glimpse of gameplay for Sherlock Holmes Chapter One. You can watch the footage in the video below: The description for the gameplay trailer reads as such for the game’s synopsis: “In this story-driven detective thriller, a young Sherlock Holmes struggles to prove himself as he navigates an exotic, dangerous island of Cordona in the Mediterranean to investigate the mystery of his mother’s death.” What are you most intrigued from the gameplay offered so far? Sherlock Holmes Chapter One is scheduled to arrive sometime in 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Report: Netflix’s Next Big Video Game Endeavor Is Handing A Television Series To Bioshock

In the world of Bioshock, the Irrational Games-developed series has faced a dormant future revolving around the universe for close to a decade now. However, despite the closing of the developer following the 2013 release of Bioshock Infinite, the series will live on as 2K opened a new dedicated studio to work on a new installment, Cloud Chamber. Howbeit, the main source of content is not the only aspect of Bioshock that fell through. In that, the franchise was expected to face a film adaptation by Gore Verbinski (The Ring). But, as the production fell apart in the late 2000s, most of the eagerness for the cancelled Bioshock movie later adopted some of that DNA in 2016’s A Cure for Wellness. But, there is a sign of hope for something to come in terms of Bioshock entertainment. From a new report by Giant Freaking Robot, the outlet discloses that Netflix is internally working to develop a Netflix series set in the Bioshock universe. The claim is said to stand behind previously accurate tips from the same source including Bruce Wayne’s evil parents in the upcoming Matt Reeve’s film, The Batman. Similar to how we viewed the reception of The Witcher on Netflix back in late 2019, Netflix is planning to pose Bioshock as yet another tent pole series alongside the CD Projekt Red-developed franchise. Additionally, The Elder Scrolls in a previous report is said to receive the same treatment – and with the number of video game adapted projects from Netflix, it is understood that the firm is planning to cash in big for more as well. The publication does clarify to still be in the dark for the basis of the project, unfortunately. So it is unsure the direction of the show, if it will be animated, or if it is based in Rapture, Columbia, or a new setting altogether. Namely, the website does consider a possible multi-universe approach that could be established which was introduced in Bioshock Infinite. As for recent news in regards to Cloud Chamber’s project, a job listing for the 2K developer reveals that the team is searching for possible hires to “breathe life into a new and fantastical world. You can read the full report by heading here. What would you like the Bioshock Netflix series to be about? Source: Giant Freaking Robot