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Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom sells over 10 million copies in its first three days

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom released on Friday, May 12 on the Nintendo Switch and the game has broken a franchise record and proves to be another successful launch from Nintendo. Tears of The Kingdom sold over 10 million units in its first three days. It’s also the fastest-selling game in the history of The Legend of Zelda series. This news was announced on Twitter through all of the official Nintendo accounts: The Legend of #Zelda: #TearsOfTheKingdom has sold over 10 million copies worldwide in its first three days, becoming the fastest-selling game in the history of the Legend of Zelda series. Thanks to those already enjoying Link’s latest adventure! pic.twitter.com/XxRSLaiWrO — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 17, 2023 Having a successful first three days seems to be a common theme with AAA releases for the Nintendo Switch over the last year. Are you surprised by this?

Apex Legends: The Board Game Kickstarter Goes Live Today

Across the many first-person shooters and battle royales that fit the genre, Apex Legends stands to be an especially unique IP stranding from Titanfall whilst remaining to be the most engaging of the mass list out there. Recently, Apex Legends has launched its latest content update, Season 17 – Arsenal. The update welcomes new Legend Ballistic featuring new changes to the fan-favorite map World’s Edge. However, more is coming to the series beyond just the video game. Back in March, it was revealed that Electronic Arts & Respawn Entertainment is collaborating with Glass Cannon Unplugged to develop a proper tabeltop experience for the series. Most noted for its work on Dying Light: The Board Game and Frostpunk: The Board Game reveals an very detailed iteration is on the way for Apex Legends fans. On Wednesday, the official Kickstarter has gone live for Apex Legends: The Board Game with a goal of $244,491 for backers to reach. And with just over 1,200 backers, the goal was likely to be met within the first 24 hours. You can watch the Kickstarter trailer in the video below: “Apex Legends: The Board Game is a highly competitive, intensely tactical team vs team miniatures game for 2-4 players, with more players made possible through expansions. Our original game engine and innovative framework bring the stakes, thrills, and dynamics of the Apex Legends battle royale experience to life,” Glass Cannon Unplugged gives for the game’s description on the website. “The board game’s combat system challenges players to modify tactics based on the limited weapons, ammo, and items in play. Acquiring and spending finite resources inspires more strategic gameplay—even the deadliest Legend won’t triumph without ammo, a clear line of sight, or a helping hand from a teammate.” How excited are you for the Apex Legends tabletop game? Apex Legends: The Board Game is expected to roll out sometime in spring 2024. Source: Kickstarter

BlizzCon Returns To Anahiem This November

When exploring the altitudes of live shows prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was no surprise that BlizzCon would be another show affected by this event. But Blizzard Entertainment has readjusted its standing and resorted to an online show. But as door began to open back up in 2022, the firm decided to simply reinvent its wheel and skip last year. So for future shows, a new precedent is expected to come. This year, shows including PlayStation Showcase, Meta Quest Showcase, Summer Game Fest, Xbox Games Showcase, PC Gaming Show, Ubisoft Forward, Gamescom, THQ Nordic Showcase, QuakeCon, and Nintendo Live have already been confirmed. But for the World of Warcraft/Overwatch developer, little has been shared on its plans for 2023. Now in a new announcement on Wednesday, Blizzard Entertainment reveals Blizzcon is set to return later this November. The event will be held in November returning to the convention showfloor in Anaheim, California. “After four years of gathering online–adventuring through Azeroth, teaming up in Overwatch, traversing the fields of Sanctuary, or warming yourself by the fire in the Tavern–it’s finally time to gather in person once more.” It continues,” Our players are at the heart of what makes BlizzCon great–a place where games are the common ground for connection and friendship. Whether you’re coming to hang out with friends you only ever get to see online, celebrating epic moments in the games we love, exploring what’s on offer in the convention center halls, or eager to learn what’s next for our universes,  BlizzCon is being created for you. “It’s the community that has always made this event so special, and we can’t wait to see you all again. We’ll be back with more details about the show next month including ticketing information, cosplay and other competition details, and more.” This week, it was revealed that Blizzard Entertainment is refocusing its efforts on Overwatch 2’s story Hero Mode. You can read the full report by heading here. What are you most interested to see BlizzCon returning this fall? BlizzCon will take place on November 3, 2023 to November 4, 2023. Source: Blizzard Entertainment

Sony To Host ‘PlayStation Showcase’ Next Week

As we enter late spring, more & more video game showcases are to be announced for this time of the year. Already, June is a packed month with Summer Game Fest, Xbox Games Showcase, PC Gaming Show, Ubisoft Forward, and Meta Quest Showcase. Not to mention the later August featuring Gamescom alongside QuakeCon in the deep summer as well. Furthermore, Nintendo is to host its first ever North American Nintendo Live in Seattle, Washington. But new information as arrived on the fall event later in 2023. From Penny Arcade, the organization that hosts PAX, it will be hosting Nintendo Live in a new expansion part of the Seattle Convention Center simultaneous to PAX West 2023. From Sony Interactive Entertainment this week, it is now shared a new PlayStation Showcase is to take place next week. This will be the earliest show roughly a month before the myriad of other announcement events later in June. “The show will run a bit over an hour, focusing on PS5 and PS VR2 games in development from top studios from around the world. Expect a glimpse at several new creations from PlayStation Studios, as well as spellbinding games from our third-party partners and indie creators,” Sid Shuman, Sony Interactive Entertainment senior director of content communications wrote. Regarding some of the announcements at the show is limited regarding already confirmed announcements, but still enticing nonetheless. Many fans are expecting a release date for Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. The same can also be said for Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 Remake which is projected for a release this year also. Additionally, new reports have surfaced reaffirming Sony’s involvement in exclusive releases for more Konami projects. This includes Metal Gear Solid & Castlevania according to corroborating sources that both Nick Baker of Xbox Era and Jez Corden of Windows Central heard. You can read the full report by heading here. What are you hoping to see be announced at the PlayStation Showcase? The PlayStation Showcase will be held on May 24, 2023 at 1 PM PST / 4 PM EST. Source: PlayStation Blog

EU Commissions Approves Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Deal, U.K. CMA Reaffirms Its Standing

Current events concerning Xbox is the consensus of its next major acquisition: Activision Blizzard. While the firm receives approval from different markets & governments, Microsoft still faces scrutiny elsewhere. For one, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against the Xbox firm on the deal. But that is not the only adversary it is facing recently. Elsewhere across the Atlantic, the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) officially blocked the deal from proceeding. The decision was based on Microsoft’s grasp on cloud streaming to limit reach for users. Additionally, the regulator also applied additional barriers which further walled Microsoft’s efforts more recently. In a new announcement from the EU Commission, the group has decided in favor of the Activision Blizzard acquisition. After a long investigation in the matter, it decided Microsoft’s motive to be in favor for the consumer applying its services to a wide range of platforms beyond just Xbox, it released on Tuesday. Today’s decision follows an in-depth investigation of the proposed acquisition of Activision by Microsoft. Both companies develop and publish games for PCs, consoles, and mobile devices and distribute games for PCs. Microsoft also distributes games for consoles and offers the Xbox console along with a wide range of products and services, including the PC operating system “Windows”. Activision’s games portfolio includes famous franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch and Diablo. The Commission’s preliminary investigation found that Microsoft could harm competition (i) in the distribution of console and PC video games, including multi-game subscription services and cloud game streaming services; and (ii) in the supply of PC operating systems. The Commission’s in-depth market investigation indicated that Microsoft would not be able to harm rival consoles and rival multi-game subscription services. At the same time, it confirmed that Microsoft could harm competition in the distribution of games via cloud game streaming services and that its position in the market for PC operating systems would be strengthened. “Microsoft would have no incentive to refuse to distribute Activision’s games to Sony, which is the leading distributor of console games worldwide, including in the European Economic Area (‘EEA’) where there are four Sony PlayStation consoles for every Microsoft Xbox console bought by gamers. Indeed, Microsoft would have strong incentives to continue distributing Activision’s games via a device as popular as Sony’s PlayStation,” the document reads. The EU Commission also believes that the decision, even if hypothetical, to pull titles from PlayStation would not be harmful to the greater industry in long-term. “Even if Microsoft did decide to withdraw Activision’s games from the PlayStation, this would not significantly harm competition in the consoles market. Even if Call of Duty is largely played on console, it is less popular in the EEA than in other regions of the world, and is less popular in the EEA within its genre compared to other markets. “Therefore, even without being able to offer this specific game, Sony could leverage its size, extensive games catalogue and market position to fend off any attempt to weaken its competitive position.” It also goes on to believe more harm would be done if the deal did not progress stating that Activision Blizzard games will not be handed to third-party platforms. In response, the CMA did share a response to the EU Commission’s announcement via Twitter. “They would replace a free, open and competitive market with one subject to ongoing regulation of the games Microsoft sells, the platforms to which it sells them, and the conditions of sale.  This is one of the reasons the CMA’s independent panel group rejected Microsoft’s proposals and prevented this deal. While we recognise and respect that the European Commission is entitled to take a different view, the CMA stands by its decision.” Do you favor the EU Commission or the CMA decision for Microsoft’s deal on Activision Blizzard? Source: EU Commission

Pac-Man 99 To Close Its Servers Later This Fall

For legacy games, these retro franchises are facing a renaissance of new titles in recent years. For Pac-Man, the Bandai Namco-owned series continues to face new love. Recently, it was reported a new live-action movie is on the way. The Hollywood Reporter tells that Sonic the Hedgehog producer Chuck Williams is to be attached to the new production. Additionally, Pac-Man received a repertoire experience with Pac-Man Museum+ which rolled out last spring. Not to mention Pac-Man World Re-Pac which was announced at a previous Nintendo Direct-mini. The most enticing is the Nintendo Switch exclusive Pac-Man 99 which uses the same format of Tetris 99 to integrate competitive multiplayer to the gameplay. In a new update from Bandai Namco, the game is expected to full shut down its online servers by fall later this year. “Pac-Man 99, which is currently available as a benefit for Nintendo Switch Online members, will soon be discontinued. Distribution of the main game and sales for each DLC will end accordingly,” it reads. You can read the schedule below: August 8, 2023 (Tue) 8:00 AM PDT Discontinued content: Paid custom themes September 8, 2023 (Fri) 8:00 AM PDT Discontinued content: PAC-MAN 99 Deluxe Pack / PAC-MAN 99 Mode Unlock October 8, 2023 (Sun) 9:00 PM PDT Discontinuation of online services for the main game / distribution of the main game and free custom themes “Even after online services are discontinued for the main game, users who own either of the paid DLCs (PAC-MAN 99 Deluxe Pack or PAC-MAN 99 Mode Unlock) can continue to enjoy CPU BATTLE, BLIND TIME ATTACK, and SCORE ATTACK in offline mode,” Bandai Namco also adds in the same blog post. The publisher does clarify that this does not mean the game will not be accessible following the online closing. Those who purchased the offline mode can still enjoy the game alongside any purchased themes made since the game’s launch. Users are even able to reinstall downloads made which might be deleted. What are your thoughts on Pac-Man 99 closing? Pac-Man 99 is currently out for Nintendo Switch. Source: Bandai Namco

Ubisoft To Bolster Up On Talent For Assassin’s Creed

When viewing the entire Ubisoft library, the firm has certainly focused its resources on select IP. In one blanket franchise, Tom Clancy is an evident series of this decision. Another is Assassin’s Creed. And while Rainbow Six Siege is the publishers most popular, ongoing experience, the firm still needs to roll out a new Assassin’s Creed game. Previously, it was confirmed Assassin’s Creed Mirage was set to ship later in 2023. Additionally, Ubisoft has shared other titles are in the pipeline for the series. From its previous Ubisoft Forward, it revealed plans of Assassin’s Creed Infinity including Project Red, Project Hexe, and Project Jade. Not to mention the separate Netflix exclusive title as well. Even one report mentions the firm is adamant in shipping the canceled virtual reality title for Oculus Quest 2 with plans of a sequel already underway. According to the recent financial earnings for the publisher, Ubisoft is transparent on bolstering more talent for Assassin’s Creed solely. With roughly 20,000 employees, the firm shares its new effort is to hire 40 percent more staff regarding the series. FY2022-23 was in line with our revised financial targets. While this past year was challenging for the industry and for Ubisoft, it was pivotal for the Company as we reinforced our strategic focus on our biggest opportunities, initiated a meaningful cost reduction plan and provided additional development time for our strong pipeline of content. As part of our progressive reallocation of resources, we notably plan to increase the number of talents working on the Assassin’s Creed brand by 40% over the coming years. Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft CEO Yves also continues sharing the overall plans elsewhere beyond Ubisoft for its upcoming releases. “Our teams are making headway across the board as we look to bring exciting gaming experiences, both premium and free-to-play, to players on all platforms in FY2023-24 and beyond. Development of this year’s line-up is progressing well with big brands like Assassin’s Creed, Avatar, Rainbow Six and The Division, as well as on long lasting Live Service titles like Skull and Bones, The Crew Motorfest and XDefiant. […] Ubisoft’s unique development model relies on a robust iterative design process which proved successful to enter the Open World and Live Services markets, and that we have been applying to free-to-play. “While mastering free-to-play is hard, and it is very important to remain prudent, recent developments are encouraging. This indicates that we are on the right path to bring our brands to significantly larger audiences. […] In line with our commitment, we are making visible iterative progress on which we can build the next steps toward ultimately delivering a breakthrough in this major market.” Returning back to Assassin’s Creed, another report appears to answer for Ubisoft’s new ambition to hire more for the series. In that, there were another handful of projects underway for the IP that has yet to be announced regarding Assassin’s Creed helmed by multiple studios under the Ubisoft umbrella. You can read the full report by heading here. What are you most interested about the news for Assassin’s Creed? Source: Ubisoft

Sega To Consider Possible $70 Pricing For New Titles

Since the inception of the Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5, more & more developers/publishers have considered or acted upon increased pricing for titles. To what pioneered this new notion, Take-Two Interactive lit this match with its titles. Additionally, Sony Interactive Entertainment also followed in this path with the launch of the newest PlayStation then. Despite the amount of value players receive from Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft has also shifted to this as well. By late 2022, it was determined that new first-party titles will ship at a new $69.99 price tag. And even Nintendo in a new surprised has also followed this trend with the latest release for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. However, not all games are to be applied to this rule, the Japanese firm clarified. According to a new financial report from Sega Sammy, the firm appears to be investigating potentially pricing its new titles alike the competitors. The firm shares it is reviewing the new pricing for newer games when pressed by one investor. In the global marketplace, AAA game titles for console have been sold at $59.99 for many years, but titles sold at $69.99 have appeared in the last year. We would like to review the prices of titles that we believe are commensurate with price increases, while also keeping an eye on market conditions.  “Also, for titles that are planned to be offered via subscription services, revenue made via contract deals are also included in sales figures, so we would like you to be aware that when these figures are divided by the number of units, there is an apparent impact on the increase in unit price,” the document added. Regarding upcoming Sega releases, one major leak recently points at the direction the publisher is heading. In that, remakes for both Jet Set Radio & Persona 3 appeared online with glimpses of footage. The clips were told to be for a previous investors meeting from 2021. You can read the full report by heading here. What are your thoughts on Sega potentially increasing its prices for games? Source: Sega

Overwatch 2 Confirmed To Rethink Its Story Campaign Hero Mode In New Dev Chat

This past fall was a major step ahead for Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch 2. The title officially launched welcoming a new palette for its users as the game enters its free-to-play model. In that, the developer introduced a new battle pass system for the experience alongside supporting cross-progression for users to transition to the sequel properly.  Kicking off this new story for the game, it was a major hit right out the door. By the end of week 1, more than 25 million users played Overwatch 2. And by the first month officially over, 35 million players entered Overwatch 2. Looking ahead, fans were eager to see how Blizzard Entertainment would translate the gameplay into the upcoming PvE Hero Mode story campaign promised since the game’s announcement. Well, that is being changed dramatically. In the latest Dev Chat, Blizzard Entertainment explained that focus is solely on the live-service for Overwatch 2 rather than other modes. It continues by revealing that launch was also affected by this choosing to support the online version as well. You can view the segment of the video in the video below: “Now, we made a commitment to always prioritize the live game and all of the people playing it and to devote our development efforts there; this game is nothing without all of you,” game director Aaron Keller explains. Jared Neuss, executive producer adds “I can’t really say enough about how much we learned over the past eight months or so. “And more importantly, we’ve taken that learning and put it back into the game. So- season 2 you start seeing some updates we’ve made based on your feedback and what we learned. We’ve been changing all of our systems to adjust hero balance way more frequently; constantly adjusting the roadmap behind the scenes to make sure what we’re planning to deliver is going to be great for everyone out there. […] Development on the PvE mode hasn’t made any progress.” Neuss goes on to elaborate that the scale to bring the mode to the user base with the same Blizzard quality as the multiplayer was unrealistic to do simultaneously. Instead, Keller shares that the developer is looking to integrate new co-op experiences into the roadmap for the game in the later future for Overwatch 2. What are your thoughts on the decision from Blizzard Entertainment? Overwatch 2 is out now for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.