Gaming to be a big part of D23 Expo next week
Disney is set to hold its D23 Expo next week from August 9-11 and it has been reported that the event will have a big focus on gaming. The report was first shared by @Wensoing on X (Twitter) and it has not been revealed exactly what could be announced at this event. It is speculated that there could be a release date announcement for Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, a new Fortnite x Marvel collaboration, or news regarding Kingdom Hearts 4 from Square Enix. Disney will hold its D23 event on August 9-11, and they confirmed that gaming will play a big part in the event 👀 They could potentially drop a teaser for the 'FORTNITE X MARVEL' season there, as it's dropping only a few days after their event ‼️ (Information by @Wensoing) pic.twitter.com/3qG6oWUzAB — Shiina (@ShiinaBR) July 31, 2024 D23 is an expo where all of Disney is celebrated and often there would be announcements made regarding games, films, and other projects from Walt Disney Studios. This is usually a time when the gaming community will keep a close look at this event as any news could drop regarding a new game featuring Disney IP. It’s also speculated a new trailer for Star Wars Outlaws could be shown before it releases on August 30, 2024.
PlayStation Studio, Bungie, is laying off 220 employees
Today, Bungie Studios CEO, Pete Parsons announced difficult news that it is laying off 220 employees starting today which is roughly 17% of the studio’s workforce. This change is due to rising costs of development and enduring the economic conditions and it became clear that Bungie is making changes to their cost structure and focusing development efforts on Destiny and Marathon. In the announcement, it was shared that Bungie is deepening its integration with Sony Interactive Entertainment. “First, we are deepening our integration with Sony Interactive Entertainment, working to integrate 155 of our roles, roughly 12%, into SIE over the next few quarters. SIE has worked tirelessly with us to identify roles for as many of our people as possible, enabling us together to save a great deal of talent that would otherwise have been affected by the reduction in force. Second, we are working with PlayStation Studios leadership to spin out one of our incubation projects – an action game set in a brand-new science-fantasy universe – to form a new studio within PlayStation Studios to continue its promising development. ” Since Sony Interactive Entertainment acquired Bungie, it has been a disappointing turnout for the company. Originally, Marathon was supposed to release later this year, but due to earlier layoffs, Bungie had to delay the release until 2025. It’s unclear if there will be more delays to internal projects happening at the studio. It has been revealed by Jeff Grubb that Herman Hulst, the newest PlayStation CEO, is now running Bungie. Hermen Hulst runs Bungie now. https://t.co/ocHTors5no — Grubb (@JeffGrubb) July 31, 2024
Microsoft Announces The Sky Cipher Xbox Wireless Controller
It has been the summer of new controllers from both Microsoft and Sony. Recently, Sony announced the Astro Bot DualSense Controller that will release on September 6 along with the new game. Today, Microsoft announced the Sky Cipher Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller. The new Sky Cipher Xbox Controller features a transparent blue design that is complemented by metallic features and silver interior parts. Elevate your experience and style with the Sky Cipher controller. Stay elegantly on target with Sky Blue metallic triggers and a matching D-pad surrounded by a dark blue accent. Refine your game with two-tone thumbsticks featuring Sky Blue bases and dark blue tops. Hold on to the action with rubberized, Sky Blue grips on the back case. Looking closely at the hand grips, you can see the rumble pack vibrate and react to your gameplay. The Sky Cipher Controller will have all of the features as the other Xbox Series X|S controllers with Bluetooth technology connecting to PC, iOS, and Android Devices, and up to 40 hours of battery life. The Sky Cipher Xbox Wireless Controller will release on August 13 and will cost $69.99. Pre-orders are now live on the Xbox store. This Xbox Controller is a nice throwback to the original Xbox designs that we’ve seen before when Microsoft released the transparent green Halo controller. Source: Xbox Wire
PlayStation Plus August 2024 Free Games Feature LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga, FNAF Security Breach, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Summer 2024 thus far remains one of the most active moments for PlayStation Plus this year. In June, the regular batch of free games arrived with SpongeBob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake, AEW Fight Forever, and Streets of Rage 4. The same time, it also featured more game for the game catalog coming as part of the PlayStation ‘Days of Play’ introducing both PlayStation 2 & PlayStation VR 2 titles then. The full lineup for June 2024 introduced Monster Hunter Rise, Anno 1800, Far Cry 4. In July the following month, free games included the likes of Among Us, Borderlands 3, NHL 24. Additionally, the respected game catalog update most recently adds Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion, No More Heroes III, Remnant II as well. Now with August just a day away, Sony Interactive Entertainment reveals the newest additions for the free games program for all PlayStation Plus members. In that, there are three new games coming next month with LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga, FNAF Security Breach, and Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. All games are supported for both PlayStation 4 & 5 with Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights exempt only offering a PS4 version. Previously, Rectify Gaming offered a review for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. “I loved my time with LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Traveller’s Tales went above and beyond to create the most expansive LEGO Star Wars game,” critic Michael Merchant wrote in the review for the game upon release. What has you most excited for the PlayStation Plus August 2024 free titles? LEGO Star Wars The Skywalker Saga, FNAF Security Breach, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights arrives for PlayStation Plus from August 6, 2024 to September 2, 2024. Source: PlayStation Blog
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter Arrives This Week To Xbox/PlayStation/Switch/PC
Star Wars fans remain occupied when it comes to video games. In 2024 alone, there has already been two titles that released. Earlier this spring, Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Edition arrived bundling the first two titles into one package for modern systems. Additionally, Star Wars: Hunters – the long-promised arena experience – officially arrived in June as well. Looking ahead, Ubisoft is also preparing to launch its new game as well. In that, Massive Entertainment with its knowledge from the first two The Division games are delivering Star Wars Outlaws. Confirmed to launch in August, the new story follows stray Mix looking to make a name for herself in the first-ever open-world Star Wars experience. Also, August is kicking off with another Star Wars classic as well ahead of Star Wars Outlaws. From Aspyr, PlayStation 2 & GameCube title Star Wars: Bounty Hunter arrives this week. You can watch the launch trailer in the video below: “Let the Hunt Begin – In this classic third-person action-adventure, you’ll become Jango Fett, Prime Clone of the Grand Army of the Republic, hired to capture a deranged Dark Jedi,” the trailer description reads. “Armed to the Teeth – Fight your way through the galaxy’s underbelly, equipped with Dual Blasters, your Flamethrower, Whipcord, and pure Mandalorian Rage,” it adds. “Relive the Timeless Tale Experience the legendary Bounty Hunter fantasy set before the events of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Face off against foes and maneuver through acrobatic battles in this adaption optimized for today’s consoles and hardware.” What has you most excited for Star Wars: Bounty Hunter? Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ships August 1, 2024 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Microsoft Shares Fallout Show Drove Hours Played On Game Pass By 5x For The Series
Enter Fallout, the show instantly kicked off for players & non-fans of the series. Within its first week of airing, the Amazon Prime show was already ranked #1 on the platform across all regions worldwide. And shortly after that, Amazon confirmed a second season would be greenlit for the new franchise in its hands. Details for the show since has remained light on the approach for the new set of episodes. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, showrunners Graham Wagner & Geneva Robertson-Dworet did press more on the lifespan for the show. Seeing the trajectory of its popularity, at least five seasons is perceived likely for Fallout. In a separate update more recently, progress on season two is already ahead of schedule, its told. And now with the series facing 16 Emmy nominations as of July, players are showing strong numbers for the games during its airing and amid the wait for the next season. In the recent earnings filing from Microsoft, it is indicated that Xbox Game Pass hours played specifically for Fallout surged at least five times its normal amount thanks to the show. We are bringing our IP to new audiences. Fallout, for example, made its debut as a TV show on Amazon Prime this quarter. It was the second most watched title on the platform ever, and hours played on Game Pass for Fallout franchise increased nearly 5X quarter-over-quarter. Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO Previously, we witnessed this with games across Steam once the eight episodes were available on Amazon Prime Video. In that, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76 all prospered thanks to the show – especially the latter. Around the time of the airing, over 1 million players simultaneously signed into Fallout 76. And by June, the title welcomed over 20 million users to the Appalachian Wasteland. During the same earnings report, the official slideshow gave a description for Xbox’s performance. While gaming & content revenue was up, hardware specifically was still in a decline. In that, it was at 42 percent in the red. You can read the full report by heading here. Were you part of the surge in Game Pass owners playing Fallout? Source: Microsoft
Suda51 Says Complete Edition For Killer7 ‘Complete Edition’ Is Very Likely To Be Realized At Grasshopper
At Grasshopper Manufacture, the creative mind Goichi ‘Suda51’ Suda remains busy working on new releases coming later this year. Recently, it was confirmed that Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is arriving this Halloween. Additionally, Suda alongside Hidetaka ‘Swery65’ Suhiro is planning to release Hotel Barcelona later this year as well. In connection to Suda’s previous work, Lollipop Chainsaw RePop is also launching in 2024. In development by Dragami Games, the new release is a remaster that rekindles the flame of the 2012 release. What’s more, the team has partnered with Limited Run Games for a physical version which launched pre-orders this past week. Speaking at a recent Grasshopper Direct 2024 livestream, Suda alongside guest star Shinji Mikami spoke about another Suda51 title – Killer7. When Mikami elaborated that its one of his favorite titles, Suda responded that a ‘Complete Edition’ is a possible approach to revisit the title. “Someday we may see a Killer7 sequel or a ‘Complete Edition’,” Suda expresses. “I’d rather make a complete edition first- first a complete edition. Then a Killer11. […] Maybe a ‘Killer7: Beyond’.” Adding to the conversation, Nobutaka Ichiki also elaborated that there is room to include content that was in the original Killer7 release. “In the current version, Coyote doesn’t really speak. But in the original scenario he actually had lots of dialog.” Mikami chimes in that “Fans would probably love a complete edition.” For now, there is no solidified roadmap for projects that Grasshopper Manufacture is looking to tackle next. However, it is not the first time Suda showed optimism on returning to his portfolio for a remaster. Back in 2019, he said Flower Sun Rain is one title he would enjoy revisiting for another go. You can read the full report by heading here. Are you hoping Killer7 gets new content in the future?
Xbox content pipeline “has never been stronger,” says Microsoft CEO
Microsoft revealed its financial results for the most recent quarter from April 1 to June 30, 2024. It was revealed that Xbox hardware sales are down 42%, however, gaming revenue increased 44% with a large amount of that coming from Activision Blizzard. Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella shared that when it comes to Microsoft Gaming, it “has over 500 million monthly active users across platforms and devices” and stated that their “content pipeline has never been stronger”. The CEO acknowledged the recent Xbox Games Showcase and the success of the Fallout TV Show which impacted the game series bringing more players thanks to Game Pass. The acquisition of Activision Blizzard and ZeniMax Media over the last few years will definitely help the content pipeline for Xbox moving forward. There’s also the Xbox Game Studios that are pumping out games such as The Coalition with Gears of War E-Day, Playground Games working on both Fable and Forza Horizon 6, and more of their studios working on projects. Are you excited about the future of Microsoft Gaming? Source: TrueAchievements
