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Former Sonic The Hedgehog Voice Actor Roger Craig Smith Announces Return To The Role For Coming Games

On Thursday, a bombardment of Sonic the Hedgehog-related announcements were made which goes on to answer fans’ cries asking what the future holds for the series now entering 30 years. Most excitingly is the new game teased at the end of the show. However, despite the brief hint featured, the title is unfortunately pushed to 2022, the trailer reveals. However, there is a Sonic game releasing this year, Sonic Colors: Ultimate. The game is a remaster of the original 2010 title for modern hardware aimed to release later this September. More exciting is the linked cartoon, ‘Rise of the Wisps.’ And no one better to give the synopsis for the new two-part animated series than by Roger Craig Smith. Previously, Smith announced to step down from voicing Sonic the Hedgehog after doing so for more than a decade. But on Wednesday, Smith went to Twitter to announce he is officially returning to the role to voice the character in future games. Aside from the coming 2022 title from Team Sonic, it is undetermined what other titles that Smith will voice in for the time being. However, it is also left unclear if he will reprise his role for the coming Sonic Prime Netflix show. The new series aimed for 2022 is told to include 24 episodes and be fully rendered in 3D animation. While outside of Smith’s reach, Sega is planning to ships Sonic Origins next year as well. In that, it is a compilation of classic Sonic the Hedgehog titles that includes: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic & Knuckles, and Sonic CD. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited Roger Craig Smith is returning to voice Sonic the Hedgehog once again?

Unreal Engine 5 Enters Early Access With New Demonstration, Now Slated To Release In 2022

More than a year ago through an affiliated announcement with Summer Game Fest, Unreal Engine 5 was officially unveiled. In that, Epic Games showcased the next version of its proprietary engine to feature the advancements capable for new ambitions that developers can pursue not achievable on prior versions. Although the engine is still not available entering 2021, it is scheduled to release sometime this year. However, some games are already confirmed to utilize the game-building tool. Specifically, titles such as Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga, and Fortnite are already solidified for the move to Unreal Engine 5 in the coming future. And now with Summer Game Fest scheduled to host its own show on June 10, Geoff Keighley via a premature event showcased Unreal Engine 5 entering early access. You can watch the full demonstration in the video below: “One of the things we’ve done quite a bit over the generation of UE4 is we want to put not just great tools and tech in the hands of developers, but we want to do that early and we also want to give them content that they can use to understand how things are built,” Chance Ivey, Epic Games’ Senior Technical Product Designer explains. “So, early access for us is the firth way to bring the development community into the family with us, right. “We’ve been using the tools for a while trying to understand how than can best be used and this demonstration was really a way for us to kid of say, ‘okay, we’re ready to release early access – we’re preparing to release early access; what would be something that we could put together that represents what is possible today with the tools and how can we give people an example of how those things are implemented.’” Furthermore, the early access build for the demonstration, ‘Valley of the Ancient’, is available now to install. But, the client is a 100 GB install and recommends a Nvidia RTX 2080 with 64 GB of RAM for a preferable experience. However, the Q&A for Unreal Engine 5 presses that the tool is now aimed to release early next year as well. As for other projects underway, it appears other Xbox Game Studios teams are claiming dibs on Unreal Engine 5. For one, InXile Entertainment via a job listing confirmed to be using the upcoming engine. Additionally, The Coalition is also transitioning from Unreal Engine 4 as well. But, a new game is far from being announced, the team confirms. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited to see what can be built using Unreal Engine 5? Unreal Engine 5 is slated to arrive in early 2022. Source: Epic Games

Dying Light 2 Arrives On December 7th, Developer Techland Reveals

In the lengths leading up to the recent Dying Light 2 announcement on Thursday, developer Techland offered Rectify Gaming some goods to reveal the bigger plans for the coming presentation. Aside from the absence of the sequel for more than a year now, the Polish game studio is aware that players are still awaiting new information to be spared. Previously, Techland spoke with GamesRadar on the matter to elaborate that the project became a larger ambition than anticipated. Namely, the RPG elements where player choices shape the world is to blame for the prolonged wait. Atop of the COVID-19 epidemic, of course, the team required more time to properly deliver a fulfilling follow-up to the original 2015 title. Coming from the new gameplay trailer for Dying Light 2, Techland officially announces that the new title is to arrive this December. You can watch the new trailer in the video below: “As Aiden Caldwell, an infected survivor. Your exceptional agility and brutal combat skills make you a powerful ally and a valuable commodity in this dangerous world,” the synapse for Dying Light 2 reads. “You can achieve things no one else can. Enter places no one else dares. With your unique abilities you have the power to be an agent of change within this decaying metropolis!” Additionally, Techland also shares there will be a Collector’s Edition for Dying Light 2 which will offer: UV Flashlight, Artbook hard copy, Thank you letter from the creators, UV Stickers, Map of “The City”, Steelbook, Collector’s edition box “Defender of the city” over 10″ statuette with stylized UV Lamp. With the new title arriving well beyond a year after the launch of the next-generation Xbox & PlayStation – current systems now – Techland confirmed that the game is to be properly optimized for the latest hardware. In that, 4K resolution & 60 frames per second is to be standard on both Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5. You can read the full report by heading here. What are you most excited about Dying light 2 officially launching? Dying Light 2 ships on December 7, 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. Source: Techland

PlayStation Now & Luna Welcomes A Hand Of Sonic The Hedgehog Titles

On Thursday, the first installment of the new ‘Sonic Central’ showcase took place. And amid the mass announcements that were revealed, Sonic the Hedgehog fans leave with a greater understanding on the plans for the Sega franchise. For one, developer Team Sonic extended the wait for the new game to next year. Originally slated for 2021, it is now revealed that the next flagship release is arriving in 2022 instead. Additionally, the presentation also shared that Sonic Colors: Ultimate is arriving this fall. Not only that, but also a connected cartoon,’ Rise of the Wisps’ is also in the works as well. Leading into next year, Sonic Origins is also underway for a release. The compilation of classic Sonic the Hedgehog titles includes the first three games, Sonic & Knuckles, and Sonic CD. But, Sega also reveals a selection of Sonic the Hedgehog games are being added to both Amazon Luna & PlayStation Now. You can watch the segment of the livestream for the announcement below: In total, there are three game being added: for PlayStation Now, its Sonic Forces, Sonic Mania, and Team Sonic Racing. As for Luna, Sonic Mania and Team Sonic Racing comes to the service. Recently, Sony Interactive Entertainment recorded PlayStation Now welcoming over more than 3.2 million users. In extension to the topic, the PlayStation company also pressed that both Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Horizon Forbidden West are also scheduled to hit the service in the future as well. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you planning to tune in for these Sonic the Hedgehog games on either service?

Sega Announces Sonic Origins Collection, Includes Games 1 – 3, Sonic & Knuckles, And Sonic CD For Next Year

Earlier this week, Sega & Team Sonic announced the ‘Sonic Central’ Showcase. While fans continued to sit hungry for new announcements for more than two years since the release of Team Sonic Racing, a new presentation is what the followers of Sega’s most iconic mascot need. And in just a few short days, it is only a matter of time before their thirst is quenched for the time being. Reflecting on previous reports regarding Sonic the Hedgehog, Sega when speaking with its investors did offer a roster of projects in efforts for the series’ 30th anniversary for 2021. “A year of celebration – new games, digital content, events, major announcements, and a tailored licensing programme,” the digital flyer read. Rectify Gaming went on to presume perhaps a similar compilation similar to the Super Mario 3D All-Star from last year. During the showcase on Thursday, Sega announced the Sonic Origins compilation. You can watch the segment of the presentation in the video below: “We are working on a new compilation for next year that includes Sonic 1, 2, Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, and Sonic CD,” Sega told during the showcase. “Jump back in time and play these classic Sonic hits in Sonic Origins. Experience the non-stop Sonic action like never before. This is your chance to experience the beginnings of Sonic on the latest platforms; now with added content and features.” Elsewhere during the presentation Sega also unveiled Sonic Colors: Ultimate. Additionally there is also a connected cartoon also underway, ‘Rise of the Wisps’. Furthermore, Team Sonic also teased the next Sonic the Hedgehog entry, but reveals the game is now slated for 2022. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you interested to get Sonic Origins next year? Sonic Origins is said to release sometime in 2022.

Team Sonic Teases New Sonic The Hedgehog Title, Slated For 2022 Release Window

Hopping in the time machine back to E3 2019, that is when the first details on the next Sonic the Hedgehog title was presented. While it does not directly disclose what exactly the game will be or how developer Team Sonic is presenting the next major entry, it is certain the title is projected to ship in 2021. “The next big year for Sonic is 2021. That’s the 30-year anniversary for Sonic,” Takashi Iizuka, Team Sonic head told Game Informer then. Additionally, there were details suggesting an announcement to take place soon. In that, Sega Sega executive vice-president of game content and services Shuji Utsumi went on to hint at a reveal sometime soon during the publisher’s recent earnings call. That then followed by the announcement this week for the Sonic Central showcase, it is certain the official reveal would be present somewhere during the presentation. To end the first installment of Sonic Central, Sega Global Chief Brand Officer for Sonic the Hedgehog Ivo Gerscovich alongside Iizuka offered the first official glimpse at the game. You can watch the cinematic teaser from a segment of the showcase in the video below: For certain, there is certainly not much to collect from the presentation, but one thing for certain is that this year’s Sonic the Hedgehog game has been delayed to 2022. As for speculation regarding the newest project, it appears perhaps there will be another bridging between Classic Sonic & Modern Sonic as seen from the one running in the clip before being pixelized. Elsewhere during the showcase, Team Sonic also went on to officially unveil Sonic Colors: Ultimate. Atop of the announcement, there is also a two-part animated cartoon also connected to the game. Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited that the first showing for the next Sonic the Hedgehog game is out? The unnamed Sonic the Hedgehog game is listed for 2022 with no provided platforms.

Sonic Colors: Ultimate Arrives This September, Cartoon ‘Rise Of The Wisps’ Announced

Flipping the calendar back to the start of April, one leak surfaced suggesting that Sonic Colors will be returning with a full on remaster. While a questionable discovery over in Germany, the rumor was soon corroborated by a video game retailer in France which listed Sonic Colors Ultimate to be the official title for the game. However, it was still left to obscurity as to the choice to rework the original 2010 title. But, there is still the possibility for something to take place at this week’s Sonic Central showcase hosted by Sega & developer Team Sonic. Regarding the potential announcements at the aforementioned show, it is likely that new details on the coming flagship entry for the series is to take place with additional projects in collaboration for the series’ 30th anniversary. On Thursday during Sonic Central, Sonic Colors was officially announced. Even more, there is also a linked cartoon ‘Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps’ that is also being produced. You can watch the game’s announcement trailer in the video below: “Taking place in the world of Sonic Colors, this two-part animation is the first of some short-form animations coming your way that will feature full dialogue from the Sonic voice cast,” a synapse told by Roger Craig Smith shares. “In this, you follow Sonic and Tails to Sweet Mountain as they meet up with their new friend the Jade Ghost Wisp to free all the captured wisps from the evil Dr. Eggman and his robot henchmen.” Currently, there is no disclosed release date for the animated shorts connected to Sonic Colors. But gathered that Sega did promise to bring more animated projects connected to its projects before, it is presumed that this will be arriving around the same time the title ships this fall. You can read the initial report by heading here. Are you excited for Sonic Colors: Ultimate? Sonic Colors: Ultimate arrives on September 7, 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

PlayStation Plus Now Recorded To Have 48 Million Active Users According To New Financial Report

When reflecting on the number of tallies in regards to player population, the argument in recent months appears to be in favor of the subscription services that comes with each platform. But, more so in terms of the game service rather than the conventional online service for the respective console. In that, ambitions such as Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Now is the loudest in the room currently. For Microsoft’s pursuit, it is reported that Xbox Game Pass currently sits just over 23 million as of April 2021. However, there is steady growth that could also make way for the service from Sony Interactive Entertainment. In that, the firm recorded 3.2 million as of May 2021. But, with the expected addition of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales & Horizon Forbidden West, there is a potential spike to occur if the PlayStation company is consistent with the move. But, the same conversation is not as upfront in regards to the overall online subscriptions. In one report from 2017, it was reported that Xbox Live found more than 50 million users actively subscribed to the service. But in the latest financial report from Sony, PlayStation Plus now sits over 48 million. You can view the image of the slide from the documentation below: “The biggest achievement in the DTC space is the PlayStation Network, which has continued to grow organically rather than through external investment,” the subtext reads on the slide. “Our network sales in the fiscal year that just ended, during which the PlayStation 5 was launched, increased almost tenfold compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, when the PlayStation 4 was launched. “The number of PS Plus subscribers has also steadily grown.  Investment in IP and DTC is closely linked to our Purpose because it creates and delivers Kando. I will come back to this point later.” Understandably, Xbox Live might still remain higher due to the service being well older than PlayStation Now. However, with hardware sales of PlayStation 4 to Xbox One virtually 3:1, there is the possibility that the numbers might be closer than recorded. Elsewhere from Sony Interactive Entertainment on the performance of PlayStation, the firm plans to continue its migration of first-party software to PC. In a separate string of slides, it is revealed that Naughty Dog’s Uncharted4: A Thief’s End is coming to the platform next. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you actively using PlayStation Plus? Source: Sony

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales & Horizon Forbidden West Scheduled For PlayStation Now In New Financial Report, Service Now 3.2 Million Strong

When looking from afar in terms of gross revenue for PlayStation compared to Xbox, it appears that the two have a large gap regarding which platform manages to earn more. But, there is a clear distinction as to how each platform makes its earnings. For Microsoft, it was previously reported that each system generation did not turn a profit, but, subscriptions & services is the true money maker for the Xbox company. In regards to PlayStation, however, software is the true strong suit for its platform. Alike Xbox, PlayStation hardware did not turn a profit either in terms of hardware until the previous PlayStation 4 and projected PlayStation 5. Howbeit, the only true platform to stay profitable with its hardware revenue primarily is Nintendo compared to the three. Sony Interactive Entertainment aware of its lackluster performance on services is looking to deliver more looking forward though. One statement from President & CEO Jim Ryan eluded to be in search for an Xbox Game Pass competitor. Unsure if it is PlayStation Now or a new pursuit altogether, the PlayStation firm is adamant to compete against the Xbox juggernaut. Currently, it appears that the firm is looking to further improve PlayStation Now. In its latest financial report, Sony Interactive Entertainment lists both Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales & Horizon Forbidden West to be coming to the service. You can view the slide from the financial report in the image below: In addition to the eye-opening scheduled titles to hit the platform, it also features additional growth to the PlayStation Now user base. Previously, it was reported that PlayStation Now welcomed 2.2 million active users back in early 2020. But the updated report now shares that PlayStation Now holds more than 3.2 million subscribers. And, Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to keep the momentum growing. According to one report from Ampere Analysis, a quarter of all PlayStation Now users told to relinquish its subscription to the service thanks to the “lack of enjoyable games” offered by Sony Interactive Entertainment. However, it appears that the PlayStation firm is aware of the report an is indulging in more first-party release going forward. Sony Interactive Entertainment also remarks on its other pursuits with PlayStation Now on the same slide. One being the previous $1 promotion for the service. While constantly practiced by Microsoft, it came to be a surprise when the announcement broke for PlayStation Now. That latter featured is the official addition of 1080p streaming for PlayStation Now titles. You can read the full report by heading here. Do you see yourself getting PlayStation Now seeing Sony Interactive Entertainment new path? Source: Sony

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Appears To Be The Next Game Coming To PC, New Financial Report Shows

Although Sony Interactive Entertainment has further backed its pursuit to supply ample releases for the newest PlayStation hardware, the company appears to be going in a new direction which also benefits the PC user base. In that, the firm is aiming to deliver some of its unique release to the platform over the course of the coming months. Originally, the firm stated to kick off this new trend with Days Gone upon entering the summer. But prior to that, there were two other titles that lit the fuse initially. One being Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn. At the time, it was farlandish to even presume the PlayStation firm to aim for a different platform that’s not its own – especially to follow the footsteps of its competitor Microsoft. However, that trend also continued with Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding a few months after as well. In a new financial report for Sony Interactive Entertainment, the firm is keeping its word on further exploring its additions to PC. More specifically, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End appears to be the next game on the list. You can view the slide in the image below: What also appears on the same slide is Sony Interactive Entertainment’s aim to deliver a similar program for the mobile platform as well. While not officially announced – alike Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End for PC – the PlayStation company in one job listing shares to be pursuing a new initiative for its first-party lineup to also be featured on smart phones as well. But, there is no direct distinction as to how Sony Interactive Entertainment will tackle the new aim. One report from Nikkie, and transcribed by Video Game Chronicles, might hold the answer to that: cloud gaming. While both projects are still in its infancy, Sony Interactive Entertainment President & CEO Jim Ryan did comment on the exclusivity of the its cloud service for PlayStation devices – and presumed platforms. Perhaps the firm is also forming its own cloud-based ecosystem alike Microsoft already established? In regards to PC once again, Sony Interactive Entertainment did have the opportunity to take on PC much earlier. As per documents released from the Epic Games v. Apple case, it reveals that the Fortnite company at one point offered Sony Interactive Entertainment roughly $200 million to port 4 – 6 PlayStation titles to PC, but Sony Interactive Entertainment turned down the offer. You can read the full report by heading here. Would you play Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End on PC? Source: Sony