Mr. Krabs has joined Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 has introduced its first new character DLC and with the addition of Eugene Krabs, you’ll have to protect the Krabby Patty Formula. This is just the first of four additional fighters All-Star Brawl 2 is receiving this year. Mr. Krabs brings an all-new, money-loving approach to fights in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2. He starts as a slow-moving Brawler, but as he deals and receives damage, money will litter the stage. Picking up those loose bills and change fills the money meter, which will buff Mr. Krabs’ speed, power, and big meaty claws! Cash out your money meter to unleash Mr. Krabs’ “First Dime” ability and deal massive damage to your foes. Owners of the Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 Season Pass can play as Mr. Krabs now and if you have not yet purchased it, you can do so now for $24.99 USD across all platforms. The other DLC fighters coming are Zuko, Rocksteady, and Iroh. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is now available on PC via Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo’s next console might launch in early 2025, it’s claimed

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been one of the biggest topics of this year since it’s very likely that Nintendo is gearing up to reveal its next console in March. Initially, it was rumored the Switch 2 would launch in September 2024, but it seems those plans have changed. It is now reported via Pedro Henrique Lutti Lippe in a new video that five different sources of his claim the next Nintendo console could now launch in early 2025. Their sources indicate they are working on games targeting Q1 2025 to launch with the console which previously was a 2024 target. A couple of development sources close to VGC said they were working on Switch 2 games planned for launch early next year, but did not confirm if that meant for a launch with the console or after the release of it. We should learn more about Nintendo’s future plans soon if rumors are true about a March 2024 reveal. It was also reported the Switch 2 will cost $400.00 USD. Source: VGC

Alan Wake 2 is Remedy’s fastest-selling game with 1.3 million copies sold

Remedy Entertainment made a huge surprise in 2023 with the release of Alan Wake 2 which made some critic change their Game of The Year lists. The game received a number of high review scores including from Rectify Gaming giving Alan Wake 2 a 9.5. Remedy announced in October 2023, that Alan Wake II sold 1.3 million copies as of the start of February 2024 making it their fastest-selling game so far. They’ve also stated they will continue promoting and supporting the game with two paid DLCs that will expand the story. Here is what Remedy’s CEO Tero Virtala had to say about this positive news: “We are happy with the start of Alan Wake 2’s sales. The price point has also remained at a high level, and the game has already recouped a significant part of the development and marketing expenses. We will continue to develop the game to serve existing fans and attract new players and expect the game to continue selling well.” Tero Virtala continued: “The successful launch of Alan Wake 2 has supported our other game projects: Condor, Control 2 and Max Payne 1&2 remake have all increased development pace thanks to the personnel released from Alan Wake 2, and we expect these projects to reach their next development stages during the first half of 2024. We now have two established franchises: Control and Alan Wake, which are linked through the Remedy Connected Universe. Growing and expanding these franchises will be a key part of our future.” In December the Alan Wake sequel received New Game Plus which allows players to go back and replay some of the game’s iconic chapters. Alan Wake II is now available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 only available digitally. Source: Remedy

Respawn Entertainment is reportedly developing a first-person Star Wars Mandalorian game

Respawn Entertainment has established itself as a studio that makes high-quality Star Wars titles with Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor. It has been confirmed via their recent earnings call that EA aims to release its next Star Wars game in 2025, but this project has yet to be officially shared with the public.  According to Insider Gaming, Respawn Entertainment is developing a first-person Star Wars Mandalorian game which is in its early stages of development. The player takes control of a Mandalorian bounty hunter set during the time when the Galactic Empire is dominating across the galaxy, says Tom Henderson. The outlet also says the game will not be an open world and it will have linear levels that will take place on a variety of planets in the Star Wars universe. The game is also described as “very fast-paced” and it will reward players who like to play in that style.  It shouldn’t be a surprise that Electronic Arts has yet another Star Wars game in development since they did confirm in 2022 that they have three new Star Wars projects in production with Lucasfilm Games. Since that time we only got one of those games and it was Jedi: Survivor which turned out to be a great success for Respawn.  It’s still unsure if this would be the 2025 title or not and from what it seems like this Mandalorian game is still only in the early stages.  The Mandalorian has become a very popular Television Series on Disney+ since its debut in 2019 and a video game coming is no surprise.  Source: Insider Gaming

Multiplatform Support Is The New Drive For PlayStation Exclusives, Sony President Shares

At PlayStation, the platform continues to thrive thanks to the drive of the consumer. Despite sales metrics underperforming alongside a decline in the subscription side of things, the PlayStation firm remains in the green. In total, roughly 55 million PlayStation 5 units have been sold since launch as well as the services business also facing increased revenue stream thanks to the multi-faceted PlayStation Plus approach. Additionally, first-party PlayStation titles are riding the back seat for 2024. Although it is not confirmed that there are no plans for Sony Interactive Entertainment games, the most notable franchises from PlayStation Studios like God of War, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and The Last of Us will be out of the picture. This leaves room for the new batch of live-service entries to take the spotlight for itself this year. From the most recent earnings call, Sony Group president Hiroki Totoki addressed the plans moving forward for its PlayStation division. Of course, exclusives are not to do away, but, multiplatform are a new desire to drive its IPs, he says. On X, @Genki_JPN transcribes Totoki’s statement, which you can read in the post below: Of course, this is not to say that PlayStation is going full third-party – that is not the case at all. But, Sony does appear to view the idea of multiplatform release to boost its games outside of its consoles. In the past, Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida did address that there are plans beyond the core hardware, but that PlayStation will still be a focus in the future. This also plays in-line with the ongoing string of live-service titles underway – many that are coming this year. The same for pre-existing releases also getting PC ports – also set for this year. But, are exclusives going away? Well, in a recent statement from Xbox’s Phil Spencer, he says we will see less & less of those within the next decade based off of this approach. You can read the full report by heading here. What is you thoughts on Totoki’s statement?

Report: Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea Of Thieves, Grounded Said To Be The Four Multiplatform Xbox Titles

This week, Microsoft officially broke its silence on the biggest controversy for its Xbox platform: multiplatform releases. Partly, there was a major slew of rumors & claims that insisted that Xbox would be going full third-party. However, other reports say it’s only a few games reaching to competing consoles. In the end, Microsoft shared four games are part of the roadmap. But, what those games are were left undisclosed. For certain what those titles won’t be – Phil Spencer did address that much. During the presentation, Spencer said both Starfield & Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are not part of the plans. Furthermore, he also elaborated that there are no other plans for additional titles. “So if you’re on those other platforms and see those four games coming, please do take it as some signal that everything’s coming – it’s not,” he said. And while the industry must patiently await Microsoft or the respected teams to tell what these games will be, insiders happen to already have an understanding on the unannounced four games. In one report from The Verge, sources tell that Hi-Fi Rush & Pentiment are to be the first two. That is then followed by Sea of Thieves & Grounded. Even more, credible Japanese publication Famitsu also reports similar whispers within Microsoft as well; corroborating the same list of titles. And even going off of Spencer’s statement for these games, they match the description. “Two of them kinda community-driven games that we can continue to invest in,” Spencer elaborated during the podcast. “Two of the other games are smaller games that were never really meant to be built for as ‘platform exclusives’ and all the fanfare that goes all around that.” He presses this endeavor will open more opportunities for games that were built from the same foundation. Even still, these titles will launch first on Xbox Game Pass. Which was said now to be over 34 million strong. You can read the full report by heading here. What has you most interested for these reported titles coming to PlayStation? Source: The Verge, Famitsu

Review: Islands of Insight

Developer – Lunarch Studios Publisher – Behaviour Interactive Inc. Platforms –  PC (Reviewed) Review copy given by Publisher Do you like puzzles? Well do I ever have a game for you today ! Islands of Insight has 10,000+ Puzzles & Countless Hours of Gameplay. Islands of Insight is a sublime shared-world puzzle game set in a fantasy realm of ancient wonders and natural beauty, and Overflowing with mysterious puzzles to solve, secrets to uncover, and vibrant landscapes to explore, this peaceful world of floating islands is the perfect place to unwind and embark on a puzzle adventure of your choice, all at your own pace. Islands of Insight invites players to embark on a tranquil yet intellectually stimulating journey as a Seeker, delving into a meticulously crafted open world that seamlessly blends exploration and puzzle-solving. Island of Insight is developed by puzzle enthusiasts for puzzle enthusiasts, and offers an unparalleled collection of over 10,000 puzzles divided across 24 diverse types, ensuring a captivating experience for both newcomers and seasoned puzzle fans alike. The heart of Islands of Insight lies in its commitment to exploration. As a Seeker, you are free to roam the expansive open world, divided into five distinct biomes, each with its own vibrant landscapes and architecture. The game encourages curiosity and rewards players with eureka moments at every turn. Navigating through the verticality of the environment adds an extra layer of depth, allowing you to spread your wings and glide above the breathtaking landscapes. The main island serves as a puzzle paradise, with secrets waiting to be uncovered in every nook and cranny. The puzzles range from enigmas of perspective to logic problems and environmental challenges. Crafted by some of the best minds in puzzle design, these challenges vary in difficulty, ensuring a consistently engaging experience throughout your journey. The campaign unfolds as you complete 20+ Enclaves, each housing curated puzzle challenges, unlocking new puzzle types and areas to explore. One of the standout features of Islands of Insight is the customization aspect. As a Seeker, you have the freedom to customize your character and increase your puzzle masteries, leveling up your abilities and unlocking new skills. Daily quests add an extra layer of incentive, and the shared world aspect allows seamless interaction with other players. Whether you choose to collaborate or go solo, the game adapts to your preferred playstyle, offering a truly personalized experience. Islands of Insight is not just a game; it’s an ever-evolving puzzle utopia. With puzzles that refresh over time, every visit to the islands promises a new discovery, keeping players engaged and eager to unravel the mysteries that lie ahead. The combination of exploration, puzzle-solving, and customization makes Islands of Insight a must-play for anyone seeking a harmonious blend of relaxation and mental stimulation. Step into the shoes of a Seeker and let your curiosity guide you through this captivating and enchanting world.