Nintendo To Acquire Dynamo Pictures, Deal Renames Firm To Nintendo Pictures

While uncanny the Super Mario Movie was, Nintendo with the ambition to tackle it yet again has partnered with Illumination (Despicable Me, Minions) to helm the project. Last we heard of the production, it was shelved for a 2023 box office release. Beyond that, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa expressed animation goes beyond just Super Mario. Atop of that, Luigi voice actor Charlie Day pressed his interest to do a Luigi’s Mansion film if offered. However, the current fate of the Super Mario movie is left to conjecture simply due to the limited information offered on the motion picture. The only details spared is the casting for the film which includes Chris Pratt, Jack Black, and Seth Rogan. But, that was nearly a year ago since the original announcement. But according to a recent report, it appears the future of Nintendo productions might not involve Illumination. In a press release from Nintendo, the Japanese firm is outright acquiring Dynamo Pictures. The company is most notable for Metroid: Other M alongside its Motion Capture space that assisted development on games like Death Stranding & Monster Hunter World. The deal is said to be for ¥34.5 million and to finalize on October 3rd this fall. “Dynamo Pictures is a company that plans and produces visual content. Nintendo has decided to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Dynamo Pictures. And make it a wholly owned subsidiary to strengthen the planning and production structure of visual content in the Nintendo group,” the release reads. Currently it is undetermined where this will stand for Nintendo moving forward, but it is told the deal once finalized will rename the establishment to ‘Nintendo Pictures’. Looking ahead, this could simply be for Nintendo’s first-party teams to alleviate the weight of pre-rendered cutscenes or perhaps give more hands-on for the firm for upcoming pictures. In the past, we’ve seen interest in Metroid, Star Fox, and even Super Smash Bros. being adapted into greater mediums. However, the tight hold Nintendo burdens on its properties make attempting this nearly impossible. But with an established division could open new opportunity without the creative drive being burdened with doubt. Are you interested in what the Dynamo Pictures acquisition will bring for Nintendo? Source: Nintendo

Sony Interactive Entertainment Acquires Repeat.gg

Upon the ongoing acquisition wars between both Microsoft & Sony Interactive Entertainment, the two are preparing for buyouts of major developers/publishers. This past week, the PlayStation company finalized its deal for Bungie. Additionally, the Xbox firm is projected to end its investigation with the FTC For Activision Blizzard according to one report. However, there are other purchases made to booth each platform. In the past, Microsoft acquired Smash.gg – an esports hosting website. The group was later renamed to Start.gg. On the PlayStation side of things, Sony Interactive Entertainment in a surprise purchase acquired Evolution Championship Series (EVO). The firm went on to organize PlayStation-focused tournaments as well to strengthen its use of the new entity. Well in a new announcement on Monday, Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed it acquired Repeat.gg. The purchase is viewed to be a similar purchase Microsoft made for Smash.gg before. At PlayStation, our vision for esports has always been about breaking down barriers for gamers to compete at all levels. Together with the talented Repeat.gg team, we’re excited to explore more ways for players to engage in competitive gaming and expand the breadth of our esports offerings. This is just the start of our journey and we look forward to sharing more updates with our community in the future. Steven Roberts, Sony Interactive Entertainment President of Global Competitive Gaming “Repeat.gg was designed to enable new tournament formats that are easy to enter and scalable to millions of players. We’re thrilled to join the PlayStation team and work together to enhance the variety of tournament experiences gamers can enjoy, regardless of their skill level,” Repeat.gg CEO Aaron Fletcher adds. In a separate blog post, Repeat.gg elaborates on what follows this new acquisition from the PlayStation company. “We will have access to more resources, game titles and technology, which will allow us to grow the team to push Repeat in directions that we had never thought would be possible. This will allow us to grow Repeat significantly over the next couple of years with plenty of new features, continuing our mission to become synonymous with esports by creating a home where everyone has a chance to compete and win. “Repeat is a gaming community first and foremost and will continue with that focus in mind. We will continue to support PC, mobile and other consoles alongside PlayStation. This includes the addition of the most popular competitive game titles, regardless of what platform they are available on.” What are your thoughts on the new Sony Interactive Entertainment  deal for Repeat.gg? Source: gamesindustry.biz

Halo Infinite’s Joe Staten Entertains The Idea Adding Classic Maps To The Game

More than half a year later, many fans are conflicted with the state Halo Infinite has released in. While the gameplay is tight and responsive alongside the story campaign fulfilling many desires when tackling an open-world experience, the multiplayer is a different story. Much of the content anticipated is too spaced out with the latest Season 2 – Lone Wolves offering two maps and the periodic Fracture: Entrenched events every now and then. Atop of that, interactive content such as Forge Mode, campaign co-op, and mission select is absent from the base game. Although campaign co-op & mission select was recently added to the latest Halo Infinite flight which invites sent out this Friday, it is still in a testing state. The full release for these features has yet to be shared as of yet. Well in a previous interview on the Kinda Funny Xcast, Head of Creative Joe Staten did entertain on the idea for using classic maps whilst the new content is slowly churning out. You can view the segment of the podcast in the video below: “That’s a good idea,” Staten responds to the question. “All kidding aside, I can talk about somethings and I can’t talk about that, right, like there are some great Halo maps. I think we all have our personal favorite: Guardian, Gulch, Pit, like there are a lot of maps that are awesome, right. I think it’d be awesome to play on those maps again , don’t you guys? That sounds like a fun thing […] I’ll mark that in my little notebook.” Of course, content is a priority at 343 Industries best explained by Staten. In a previous community livestream, he already acknowledged the criticism the game faces and responded that quality of life is a priority followed by content. Elsewhere, surfacing rumors mention ‘Project Tatanka’ helmed by Certain Affinity is on the way which could greatly take influence from prior games if its map takes inspiration similar to call of Duty’s Warzone. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you hoping classic Halo maps make a comeback for Halo Infinite? Halo Infinite is out now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake Now Handled By Ubisoft Montreal Following Release Window Pushed For Next Fiscal Year

Although anticipation initially swelled in anticipation for the upcoming Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake from Ubisoft Pune & Ubisoft Mumbai, the duo studios in recent months have illustrated to overshoot expectations for the game’s arrival. Originally scheduled for a January 2021 release, the game was then scheduled to ship later that March. Of course, that did not happen either. The game was later shelved for a new undated release window shortly after. However, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake later faced a 2022 launch window which left fans reassured the game is close to release. But in November, Ubisoft revealed in its earnings call then that Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake now faces a new release in fiscal year 2023. With nearly two years since the promised release date has passed, Ubisoft has decided to ultimately hand the game over to Ubisoft Montreal to helm the project. It is unsure what both Ubisoft Pune & Ubisoft Mumbai is move onto now following the letterhead statement. “The development of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake will now be led by Ubisoft Montreal, the very birth place of the epic Sands of Time trilogy,” it reads. “This decision is an important step and the team, building upon the work achieved by Ubisoft Pune and Ubisoft Mumbai, will now take the time they need to regroup on the scope of the game to deliver you the best experience for this remake of an all-time classic, when it’s ready.” Recently, Ubisoft revealed it will be hosting a new Ubisoft Forward presentation this coming September. Perhaps that will be the window we receive an official release date for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake now with Ubisoft Montreal overlooking the project. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you hopeful for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake with Ubisoft Montreal now involved? Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is listed for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC; supported via backwards compatibility for Xbox Series X|s & PlayStation 5.

BioWare To Decomission ‘BioWare Points’ This October And Purchasable DLC Will Be Free For Legacy Dragon Age & Mass Effect Games

In the realm of BioWare currently, the team is split between two different projects. Most recently, the developer revealed the titling for the next Dragon Age dubbed ‘Dreadwolf’. However, a release window nor official gameplay has yet to be shared for the next title. Additionally, the team did press that the next Mass Effect installment just only entered early development as of late. Beyond games, both IPs are to enter a new medium. Netflix is to air a new Dragon Age animated show ‘Absolution’ coming this December. As for Mass Effect, the show has yet to be announced, but the television series is said to be in its last stages for a deal with Amazon Prime Video. No details on the context of the production will follow though. This past week, Reddit poster u/AircraftSam89 shared an email sent from BioWare revealing that the previously established BioWare Point system will be shutting down this October and as a result will make DLC free for select titles. We’re reaching out to let you know that starting October 11, 2022, BioWare Points will no longer be available as a form of currency in the Origin store. Other currencies like Crystals and Platinum in other BioWare titles remain unaffected. To support you through this change, most DLC (downloadable content) that was previously only purchasable with BioWare Points are now available free of charge. “This includes DLC for the following titles: Dragon Age II, Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 (except Multiplayer Packs).” It continues,” For the next 90 days, you can use your BioWare Points to purchase Multiplayer Packs for Mass Effect 3. After October 11, 2022, Multiplayer Packs will only be redeemable using Credits you’ve earned in-game.” The announcement comes as a surprise, but BioWare responded with the best answer. Elsewhere this past week a similar instance happened with Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD. Originally, the game following its delisting would not be playable after the delisting despite owning the client. But, Ubisoft went on to confirm users can still access it after all. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you relieved BioWare is making this decision for its older titles? Source: Reddit

Ubisoft Comments Assassin’s Creed Liberation On PC Will Be Playable For Owners After Its Delisting This Fall

With most legacy titles that remain on storefronts, it is inevitable before the developer/publisher will delist said releases – namely those with online connectivity. As games age, less and less players are actively using the online features for older titles. So its makes sense for companies to remove this. Recently, Ubisoft announced a blanket of delisting for select titles and online servers which will take place this September. Well, part of that included the delisting of Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD. When visiting the Steam page as pointed out by Twitter user @Nors3, it reads “Please note that this title will not be accessible following September 1st, 2022” which implies the title will not be accessible following the date regardless of owning the game or not. However, Ubisoft in a statement to IGN goes on to confirm that is not the case and users will have access to Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD when the motion is in effect. “As stated in our support article, only DLCs and online features will be affected by the upcoming decommissioning. Current owners of those games will still be able to access, play or redownload them. “Our teams are working with our partners to update this information across all storefronts and are also assessing all available options for players who will be impacted when these games’ online services are decommissioned on September 1st, 2022. It has always been our intention to do everything in our power to allow those legacy titles to remain available in the best possible conditions for players, and this is what we are working towards.” As for other Ubisoft announcements recently, the firm shared it will be hosting its own Ubisoft Forward presentation coming this September. While E3 season came and went this June, the publisher was surprisingly absent from the noise last month. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you relieved that Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD will still be playable on PC following its delisting? Source: IGN

Report: Activision Acquisition Could Meet FTC Approval Next Month Thanks To Backing Unions & Neutrality Towards Exclusive Releases

As many can remember the juggernaut announcement made this January, Microsoft is planning to acquire Activision Blizzard for more than $68 billion. The deal would be the largest lump purchase in the industry which would also shatter the previous buyout of Zynga from Take-Two Interactive which cost the firm $12 billion that same month. As for when the deal for the Xbox firm will finalized is said to take place sometime in the following fiscal year. However, the approach Microsoft has followed to speeding up the process could be working. For one, Microsoft responding to its exclusivity plans remain neutral. Similar to honoring its deals with PlayStation for Bethesda projects, the same will be carried out for Activision titles too. Atop of that, major IPs will not be taken away from other platforms as well, Microsoft President stated. Additionally, Microsoft also speaks in favor of unionization with a spokesperson commenting to back the effort from Activision Blizzard teams if desiring to do so. In a new report from SeekingAlpha, Microsoft has already handed in its required information for the FTC investigation. One of the largest concerns for the purchase was enabling a large-scale monopoly, but CEO Satya Nadella elaborated the deal does not fall under the criteria.  Alongside Microsoft’s actions and now issuing proper paperwork for the acquisition plans, it is speculated the deal now has a 30-day window for the FTC to challenge the arrangement. If not questioned effectively, the deal could face record progress and finalize sooner than projected. However, there is some takeaways from this. One being Activision has yet to provide its share of information for the deal. Atop of that, the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is still challenging the acquisition as well. But if both parties are able to pass the 30-day timeframe, there is still some hurdles left to face. Video Game Chronicles points out that this could bring three outcomes: Close the investigation and let the merger proceed unchallenged; Negotiate with the companies to add some agreed rules that will make sure the market stays competitive; Seek to stop the deal by filing for a preliminary injunction in federal court. Ultimately time will tell if the deal is able to fulfill the requirements from both bodies. One month from now will spill details regarding the progress with the FTC investigation and the CMA is said to have a deadline lasting until the start of September. Recently, Sony Interactive Entertainment made record time for its latest Bungie acquisition which pass this past week. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you confident in Microsoft making record progress in the Activision acquisition?

Activision Confirms Progress From Call Of Duty Warzone Won’t Carry Over To The New Battle Royale Coming Out This Year

As time continues, so does the annual release cycle for the Call of Duty franchise. With Sledgehammer Games’ Call of Duty: Vanguard nearly finishing its annual timeframe, the new installment is sure to be unveiled soon. In the past, Infinity Ward did press the next game will be a continuation of 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare atop of verifying that a new entry for Warzone is also on the way. Well weeks after, Activision officially unveiled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II whilst simultaneously announcing the next battle royale experience for the IP. Alongside an October release date scheduled, fans also learned that Call of Duty is making its return to Steam. While the latest games has been reorganized to ship through Battle.net recently, the Valve storefront is to welcome Call of Duty back once more this fall. Amid the announcements at the time, Activision went on to confirm that the newest Warzone experience being a new client altogether will unfortunately not carry over your progress from the original game. A wholly new Warzone will launch as an extension of the Modern Warfare II universe. With it comes new technology, new features, and new gameplay that work seamlessly together. Throughout, we have taken a wide range of community feedback to heart. In order to fully deliver this state-of-the-art experience, Warzone 2.0 will feature new Modern Warfare II content and systems with brand-new progression and inventories. Today’s Warzone will continue as a separate experience that will include a continuation of player progression and inventories within that Warzone experience. We can’t wait to share more details soon. The blog post continues, “Soon after, Development on the all-new, dynamic Warzone 2.0 experience is also being led by Infinity Ward, along with Raven Software. The new, free-to-play battle royale Warzone also features the same technology powering Modern Warfare II, so both titles leverage the Call of Duty engine that first debuted with Modern Warfare (2019), providing the most seamless and advanced Call of Duty experiences ever.” The announcement comes as a setback for many players as certainly many users spent real-world money towards Call of Duty Warzone. And to only find out the new experience which is a continuation of the original will not feature cross-progression is upsetting to say the least. Cosmetics, weapons, Operators, and more will be unique to each release. Are you surprised by the discovery for Warzone 2.0? Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II launches on October 28, 2022. Source: Activision  

As Dusk Falls, Watch Dogs 2, Inside, And More Confirmed For July 2022’s Xbox Game Pass Library Update

When entertaining Xbox Game Pass subscribers, Microsoft responds periodically with new releases every two weeks at the very least. At the latter half of June, titles such as Naraka Bladepoint and Far Cry 5 both headlines the service then. But following into July, Microsoft upped the ante with Road 96, Yakuza 0/Kiwami/Kiwami 2, and PowerWash Simulator to start off the new month. Of course, there will be a new refresh of titles for the Xbox Game Pass library following into July. So far, one title that is confirmed happens to be Interior/Night’s As Dusk Falls. The most recent Xbox + Bethesda Showcase confirmed the game’s arrival in late July and simultaneously slates when it will hit the service as well. In a new announcement, Microsoft revealed the next wave of titles coming to Xbox Game Pass. You can read the full list below: Console As Dusk Falls – 7/19Watch Dogs 2 – 7/19MotoGP 22 – 7/21Torment: Tides of Numenera – 7/21Inside – 7/29 PC As Dusk Falls – 7/19Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation – 7/19Watch Dogs 2 – 7/19MotoGP 22 – 7/21Inside – 7/29 Cloud As Dusk Falls – 7/19Watch Dogs 2 – 7/19MotoGP 22 – 7/21Torment: Tides of Numenera – 7/21Inside – 7/29 Additionally, Microsoft has released a new list of titles receiving touch screen controls via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Those titles being Citizen Sleeper, Disc Room, Escape Academy, Garden Story, Little Witch in the Woods, Lost In Random, Spacelines from the Far Out, Umurangi Generation, Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza Kiwami 2, As Dusk Falls. Naturally, there are also a handful of games departing from Xbox Game Pass starting on July 31st. Those being: Dodgeball Academia (Cloud; Console; PC), Katamari Damacy Reroll (Cloud; Console; PC), Lumines Remastered (Cloud; Console; PC), Omno (Cloud; Console; PC), and Raji: An Ancient Epic (Cloud; Console; PC). Are you excited for the latest update coming to Xbox Game Pass? Source: Xbox Wire