PAX East 2022: Arcade Paradise takes you back to the early 90’s

At PAX East, Wired Productions had one of the more eye catching booths with a variety of game developed by passionate game developers. One game that caught my eye right away was Arcade Paradise developed by Nosebleed Interactive because it immediately took me back to Game Room which used to be on the Xbox 360, but was short lived.  In Arcade Paradise you are set in the early 90’s whilst working shifts at your father’s laundromat you dream of running a videogame arcade. You play as Ashley who is young and charismatic.  At first when playing the game you are put into this city area where you’ll find yourself seeing the laundromat where you work to earn money by cleaning laundry, picking up garbage and overall maintaining the building. In the back of this laundromat you will find an Arcade filled with machines that each have their own games and with the money you make you’ll be able to acquire new games for the arcade and grow it more. What is good to know about this game is that you can spend a good amount of time trying to unlock new games while also trying to complete certain titles that’ll take you a couple hours alone. To me it’s important that a game can keep you involved to an extended period of time without getting bored fast.  Some of the arcade games involved in Arcade Paradise can take a couple hours to complete themselves including Zombat 2 and Woodgals Adventure. Those are just two games that I was able to check out which can be challenging at first but will keep you busy and won’t be a quick play through either!  Talking to Andreas Firnigl, one of the lead designers on Arcade Paradise I asked about the idea of possibly putting games like Pac Man for example and what the process would be. Andreas explained that the goal of this project was to have it all be original throughout its entirety.  During my play through at PAX East of Arcade Paradise I would say this game is worth a shot and who knows there’s a good chance you’ll like it!  Check out our interview with Nosebleed Interactive below:  

Amy Hennig’s Skydance Team Announces New Star Wars Project With Lucasfilm Games

For Star Wars fans that were around about a decade ago, you certainly heard about Star Wars 1313. Yes, the game that never came to be: former Naughty Dog and Uncharted creator Amy Hennig was helming a project at Lucasart Games then which featured action-packed elements where you explore a prison sector as a bounty hunter. Well, like a prophecy of a former era, the team was shuttered and so did the project. Since then, Electronic Arts attempted to do draft a similar project under the codename ‘Ragtag’, but the game was later canceled and talent moved onto other projects altogether. The closest fans received to this was Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. As of this winter, the team is responsible for the sequel and two other projects tied to the Star Wars license. From Skydance New Media, the firm where Amy Hennig is now helming a new game studio, it is revealed that Lucasfilms Games and Skydance is collaborating on a new project with the Star Wars franchise. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be working again with Amy. She and the Skydance New Media team have the talent and ambition to create a unique Star Wars adventure. Their vision for making inviting, cinematic interactive entertainment makes this collaboration very exciting. We’re working hard with their team of experienced and talented developers, and we’re looking forward to sharing more with Star Wars fans when the time is right. Douglas Reilly, Lucasfilm Games Vice President Amy Hennig, Skydance New Media President added, “I’ve often described how seeing Star Wars in 1977 essentially rewired my 12-year-old brain, shaping my creative life and future indelibly. I’m elated to be working with Lucasfilm Games again to tell interactive stories in this galaxy that I love.” “We couldn’t be happier to be working with Lucasfilm Games. We look forward to taking fans on an epic journey with this Star Wars action-adventure title,” Skydance New Media Executive Vice President & General Manager Julian Beak injected. But, that is only one project that the firm is working tied to a household property. Previously, Skydance New Media announced it is also working closely with Marvel on a new AAA project as well. There has yet to be an update on the project since the initial November 2021 then. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited for the new Star Wars title from Skydance New Media? Source: Skydance

Xenoblade Chronicles Gets Updated Release Date Now Slated For Late July

Although Xenoblade is one IP that Nintendo periodically addresses across its slew of properties, the series has been receiving more attention over the past couple of years. In 2020, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition shipped with the ‘Future Connected’ epilogue content as well. But, there was more that many did not anticipate to release so soon. From FanByte, it was reported that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (likely) is close to releasing. Voice actress Jenna Coleman already mentioned likeliness of a third game alongside sources familiar citing a third is in tow. By February this year, Nintendo officially announced that Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is real and will arrive this fall in September. Now this past week, Nintendo shared that the date will be moved ahead to a new release date slated for late July instead. You can watch the new gameplay trailer in the video below: “A vast world awaits in the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 game, and you won’t need to wait too much longer to play it. Originally announced to release in September 2022, the game will now be available on July 29!” Nintendo writes in the press release. Additionally, the latest trailer also provides a brief synopsis on the game too. “Why are Noah and his friends being pursued as “monsters” by the forces of the two nations they hail from? Witness the introduction of the mighty Ouroboros forms, the oversized entities your party can become during battle in this epic continuation of the Xenoblade Chronicles series.” Around the same time, Nintendo announced that Splatoon 3 is now slated to launch this September. It is likely the game took the September window so it would not coincide with the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 launch time frame. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you excited for Xenoblade Chronicles 3? Xenoblade Chronicles 3 ships on July 29, 2022 for Nintendo Switch. Source: Nintendo

Activision Blizzard Stockholders Highly Favor Microsoft Deal According To New Press Release

While the beginning of 2022 kicked off with surprising news that Microsoft is planning to purchase the entertainment conglomerate that is Activision Blizzard, the deal will not likely finalize well into the following fiscal year. Despite that, many post-arrangement plans were already revealed in anticipation that the acquisition does go through. For one, honoring marketing arrangements with PlayStation which Activision guaranteed in a statement. Additionally, a separate statement verified the next three Call of Duty titles will remain multiplatform well into 2023. That was later disclosed to be Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & the new Call of Duty Warzone sequel and the planned release for 2023. Elsewhere, corporate Microsoft also verified popular IPs will not be stripped from other platforms either. Although there is many questioning if the deal is considered a monopoly, the deal appears to be in favor of stockholders for Activision Blizzard. In a new press release this week, a vote was held with roughly 98 percent backing the Microsoft acquisition. Today’s overwhelmingly supportive vote by our stockholders confirms our shared belief that, combined with Microsoft, we will be even better positioned to create great value for our players, even greater opportunities for our employees, and to continue our focus on becoming an inspiring example of a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive workplace. Bobby Kotich, Activision CEO The same press release also gives a more specific time frame for the deal to be finalized for those uncertain. In that, the acquisition if allowed by the United States government will be concluded ahead of July 2023. “Subject to customary closing conditions and the completion of regulatory review, the proposed transaction is expected to close in Microsoft’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.” Other news on Microsoft’s intent with Activision Blizzard, the firm does not object to the idea of unionizing for the larger teams demanding the change, While Raven Software claims Activision in “union-busting” tactics, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is in favor of the idea. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you surprised by the massive support from stockholders for the Microsoft purchase? Source: Activision

Microsoft States In Favor Of Unionization For Activision Blizzard Responding To Letter From Raven Software

As many are certainly concerned about Microsoft’s attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard, the legal arrangement is still underway namely due to the size of the purchase. For one thing, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is ecstatic about the deal pulling in IPs such as Guitar Hero and Hexen. Additionally, Spencer even bundled his intentions with Xbox Game Pass using Starfield and even Call of Duty to portray the further ambitions of the growing service. Among some of the confirmed effects of the acquisition, many believe the deal could rank as a monopoly. But from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, that is not the case. Other questionable motions from the purchase is how it affects standing CEO Bobby Kotich. While in the spotlight for worker misconduct in the past, the deal could be the key to him being removed.  In a previous story from Axios Gaming, the Xbox firm is open to the idea of unionizing for some of the larger teams under Activision Blizzard. As many are aware of the stories growing of walk-outs at Raven Software, Nadella responded to a letter on the team’s ambition to pursue creating a union. It is told that Activision has issued “union-busting” efforts, but Nadella will back Raven Software and other Activision Blizzard teams. “Microsoft will not stand in the way if Activision Blizzard recognizes a union,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement to Axios Gaming in response to the report. “Microsoft respects Activision Blizzard employees’ right to choose whether to be represented by a labor organization and we will honor those decisions.” During the announcement of the acquisition, Spencer stated the deal would be the beginning of a new initiative to better the industry forming the Xbox Gaming Leadership Team. “As a company, Microsoft is committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players. “We deeply value individual studio cultures. We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. We hold all teams, and all leaders, to this commitment. We’re looking forward to extending our culture of proactive inclusion to the great teams across Activision Blizzard.” Are you in favor of teams unionizing at Activision Blizzard? Source: Axios