Hello reapers. A lot of news has come out over the last few days. Unfortunately we have had three game delays but we've also had some free DLC announced. Lets get to it.
Rogue One Will Be First Star Wars Stand-Alone Film
Not gaming news, but hell it's Star Wars. The first Star Wars stand-alone film will be called Rogue One, Lucasfilm has revealed, while Looper helmer Rian Johnson has been confirmed to write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII for a May 26, 2017, release.“The idea for the story of Rogue One came from John Knoll, an Academy Award-winning visual effects supervisor and chief creative officer at Industrial Light & Magic,” reports the site. “He will executive produce along with Simon Emanuel (The Dark Knight Rises, Fast & Furious 6) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the Worlds). Kathleen Kennedy and Tony To (Band of Brothers, The Pacific) are on board to produce and John Swartz (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) will co-produce. The film starts shooting this summer in London and is due for release on December 16, 2016.”
Additionally, Rian Johnson has been confirmed as the writer and director of Star Wars: Episode VIII, which of course will be the direct sequel to The Force Awakens (Episode VII). Johnson having this job has been well known for some time now, but it has been confirmed today by Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger. Episode VIII will release on May 26, 2017, 40 years and a day after the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977.
Johnson has also been rumored to be at least writing the treatment for Episode IX, and possibly directing that film as well. Disney/Lucasfilm did not address that film with today’s news
Uncharted 4 Delayed Until Spring 2016
Project CARS Hit With Its Third Delay
Slightly Mad Studios’ Project CARS has been delayed for a third time and will now be released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in “mid-May,” the developer and publisher Bandai Namco announced today.
According to the studio, the racing game is “99.9% complete,” but attending to the remaining .1% – made up of small issues and bugs – has been “tricky.” “We’re absolutely dedicated to delivering a ground-breaking experience and by targeting mid-May fans can be assured that’s what they’ll receive,” the developer added. As compensation for the delay, players will receive a “gift” on the day Project CARS launches. We’ve reached out to Slightly Mad Studios for more information and will update this article accordingly.
Project CARS was first slated for a 2014 release, but was ultimately delayed to March 2015. Last month, it was delayed yet again to April.
Octodad Stumbling Onto Xbox One This Summer
Developer Young Horses is bringing Octodad: Dadliest Catch to Xbox One this summer via Microsoft's ID@Xbox program. The developer had been considering bringing Octodad to Microsoft's current-gen console, but now it's official.
The Xbox One version will include the previously announced Shorts DLC, as well as support for 2-4 player local co-op. The Shorts DLC brings two new levels to the cephalopod simulator, which include forty new objectives, at least 20 breakable plates, and “probably a pizza.”
For those unfamiliar with Octodad, you assume the role of an octopus disguised as a human. You must go about your life, completing every day tasks, while trying to hide your true identity from your human family. Octodad: Dadliest Catch is currently available on PC and PlayStation 4.
Free Peugeot Concept Car in Driveclub March Update
Also coming to the Driveclub update will be the Lamborghini expansion pack with four new cars, new events and trophies. The Lamborghini expansion will be a premium download, while the Peugeot Onyx will be a free download. In addition to slick automobiles available for download, the update will add the Ferrari 599XX Evoluzione as a new Driver Level 50 reward. Photomode will be usable from within a replay at any point, and replays have been added for all single events and tours. "You can now save a replay at the end of any single player event and view it later from the replays section," according to Evolution Studios.
Drift mode scoring has also been refined, to increase points scored "for momentum, control and staying on the track." The full list of changes coming in the 1.12 update are as follows:
- Adjusts the drag reduction when veering off road, so that accidentally leaving the track slows you down more gradually.
- Adjusts the drag penalty on world collisions, to remove the possibility of gaining any advantage after colliding with a wall.
- Adds the option to control screen brightness in-game (new Display Option).
- Adds the option to change the volume levels on individual SFX channels (new Audio options in Settings).
- Adds the option to make the AI opponents in a Single Event drive in the same car as the one the player chooses.
- Adds the option to select factory paint jobs for AI opponents (new Display Option).
- Removes the voicechat icon for any player you have chosen to mute in Multiplayer while you are driving.
- Adds new categories for downloaded Livery Packs within the Bonus Designs in Customisation.
- Adds status information about friends playing DRIVECLUB™ to the Social Hub.
- Immediately centres the camera view behind the car automatically whenever you reset to the track.
- Adds support for live streaming via Twitch and Ustream while playing Multiplayer.
- Improves the atmospheric visual effects further by improving heathaze and introducing mirages, which are visible on the road when light is refracted by hot air.
- Includes more minor bug fixes, performance improvements and usability tweaks.
There's also mention of "continual server upgrades" designed to continue improving on online stability and performance, and to "enable the release of the PS+ Edition and DRIVECLUB companion app." Mentioned as a post-1.12, it's a quick reminder that Sony is still committed to bringing out the PS+ version of Driveclub.
Titanfall 2 Confirmed, Coming to Xbox One, PS4 and PC
Respawn founder and CEO Vince Zampella has confirmed Titanfall 2 is in development and will be released on multiple platforms.
Speaking to IGN ahead of tonight's BAFTA Game Awards, Zampella, whose title is nominated in three categories, acknowledged the game's existence for the first time. "I guess EA announced a sequel, so I could play coy and pretend I don't know anything about it, or… yeah. So we're working on a sequel. No official name yet, but we're working on that. That's the main focus but we're starting up a second team and doing some smaller stuff too. Small, exploratory, taking it slow! It'll be multiplatform."
It seems the decision the broaden the game's horizons in terms of platform was never in doubt. When asked whether or not the team wishes they could change anything about the original product, Respawn COO Dusty Welch said, "Platform for me comes to mind right away." Though Zampella then explained, "Well, we needed that, though. We couldn't do the game," Dusty clarified the exclusivity was always a business decision rather than anything else. "If we could do it though?" he said. "It would have been prohibitive to do that - we definitely made the right choices for the right reasons - but if you're saying what would we have liked to have done? The opportunity to be multiplatform could have made it even more significant for us.
When it came to what we should expect from the next game in the series, the duo's lips were sealed, but they did promise to expand the lore. As for whether we should expect to see a single-player component, it's still not clear. "I wouldn't have done it differently," Zampella said when reflecting upon the original's multiplayer-only approach. "We set out to do it and it was one of our goals. I mean it obviously prohibits a certain group of people playing the game, and as content creators you want to get into as many peoples's hands as possible. We put some single-player elements in there though, and tried to mix it up. Maybe we could have mixed things up a bit better because some people blew right by it and didn't even see it because there was so much action happening around it. It's tough, because if you hit people over the head with it it becomes intrusive, and there are people who don't want or care about it. Where does the needle fall? I think it takes a while to figure that out and we haven't figured it out yet."
One thing Zampella was keen to think about changing was the DLC model for the future, citing Evolve's commitment to keeping the community united via free maps for all as the ideal way forward. "I think that's a fantastic way to do it," he said. "I think having the maps like that in packs, it does split the community and it makes it harder for matchmaking, it's messy. Yeah. I don't know we won't do it again, I can't say that for sure, but the idea would be to do something different."
Homefront: The Revolution Delayed To 2016
“Dambuster Studios are an extraordinarily talented group,” says Deep Silver CEO Dr. Klemens Kundratitz. “We are giving the team every opportunity to turn Homefront: The Revolution into a best-selling title, and have set a 2016 release date to provide them the time they need to achieve this. You can expect to hear more about the game later this year.”
Back in July, of 2014, Deep Silver revealed the company had purchased all rights to the Homefront IP and assets from Crytek UK. Deep Silver then went on to form a new development team by the name of Dambuster Studios, which is now in charge of seeing Homefront: The Revolution through to completion. “We are excited that Deep Silver’s acquisition of the Homefront IP and assets from Crytek has allowed development of Homefront: The Revolution to continue with minimum disruption,” says game director, Hasit Zala. “The team here believes we are working on something truly special.”
Elite: Dangerous Gets a Leonard Nimoy Memorial Spacestation
Elite: Dangerous has released its own memorial to Star Trek legend Leonard Nimoy. As documented by a user on Imgur, the memorial features a planet, named Vulcan, and a specially-designed Leonard Nimoy spacestation.
The memorial comes after the passing of Nimoy, aged 83, on February 27, 2015. According to Nimoy’s wife, Susan Bay Nimoy, the cause of death was end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Elite: Dangerous isn’t the first video game to salute the man who entertained generations. Star Trek Online developer Cryptic Studios also recently unveiled two in-game memorials aimed to immortalise Nimoy.
Forza Horizon 2 Getting Free Mazda MX-5 Car Pack DLC
Sonya Blade Confirmed For Mortal Kombat X
Sonya Blade has been revealed as the next classic fighter set to return in Mortal Kombat X.
A new trailer, which you can see below, confirms the legendary US Special Forces officer will be a playable kombatant as she fights alongside her daughter Cassie and ex-husband Johnny.
Evolve Adding Two New Free Maps
Evolve is getting two new DLC maps, both free of charge. A blog post announces the addition of Broken Hill Mine and Broken Hill Foundry, available on Xbox One on March 31 and then on PS4 and PC on April 30. Both maps are available for Hunt, Nest and Rescue modes, through Skirmish, Custom matches and Evacuation campaigns.
The Broken Hill Mine map takes place in a labyrinth of caves beneath the surface of Shear. There's three key areas: a rock quarry, a venom hound nest and then a final zone featuring a huge conveyor belt. In the center of all of these is a drill chamber. Hidden, destructible entryways allow the Monster to shortcut through the map or lead Hunters down the wrong path. As you'd expect, stealth and close-quarters fighting will be a prominent component of matches here.
Broken Hill Foundry, which can be viewed when looking up from the mine, mixes open areas, corridors and low ceilings. A warehouse containing three levels is present, as are tight streets and high rooftops. Crates of bohrium litter the facility and can be eaten by the Monster, though electing to do so will create a lot of noise.
Each map also has unique Evacuation campaign effects.If the Hunters win in the Mine, Drones get repurposed as Shield Drones in the next match for them. If the Monster wins, however, the area becomes tectonically unstable, with the resulting earthquakes scaring birds and tricking the Hunters as to the Monster's location. A Hunter win in the Foundry, meanwhile, supercharges the Hunter's jetpacks, while a Monster win engulfs the beast in bohrium gas, supercharging its melee attacks.
Star Citzen's Client is Likely to be a 100GB Download, Close to $75 Million in Funding
“As I have already said, I would not count on this. The game compression and asset removal is unlikely to yield such high gains that we will be able to reduce our client size to 30-40 GB,” he writes. “The size and number of assets that are left to deliver means that our client size is much more likely to be 100 GB.”
Masker adds that the patch sizes for the could range in size from an indie game to a full AAA release. “Also, yes we are optimizing game patching for speed and to only deliver diffs, but this is unlikely to reduce actual patch size. Again, each patch has 100s of assets, each of these assets are at times 200 MB, this leads to 2-6 GB patches, and if we end up doing a file type re-factor and have to re-download 30-40% of the assets on the hard-drive, then the patch will be 14-20 GB."
The space exploration sim is a shade off raising $75 million, at the time of writing. The game manoeuvred past the $69, $65 and $60 million USD goals over the past couple of months, achieving the title of largest crowdfunded project ever, beyond video games and any campaign on Kickstarter or similar sites to date.
Mad Catz Teams Up With Capcom for Street Fighter V Licensed Controllers
Mad Catz has announced a partnership with Capcom for a new line of Street Fighter V related controllers for PlayStation 4. The video game peripherals company plans on launching an assortment of its FightPad controllers and arcade FightSticks in time for the release of Street Fighter V on PS4. Mad Catz has been producing Capcom licensed controllers and FightSticks since Street Fighter IV’s release in 2008.
Mad Catz Community Manager Mark Julio also mentioned that the company is working on a new controller, tentatively named FightPad PRO, which is catered specifically to gamepad users, according to a post on the Mad Catz blog. Mad Catz is also soliciting suggestions and feedback regarding the Street Fighter V controllers from users on both its blog and its official Twitter account.
In addition to producing a new line of controllers, Mad Catz has also announced a three year agreement to be the “Premier Sponsor” of the Capcom Pro Tour, a year-long competitive fighting game league focusing on Street Fighter. Yusuke Momochi was crowned the Capcom Pro Tour 2014 champion, taking home a prize purse worth over $36,000. At the end of the event, Capcom announced the 2015 tournament series' prize pool would be bumped up to $500,000.
Fans Can Vote for What Might Go in the Just Cause 3 Collector's Edition
Square Enix is soliciting votes to help decide what could go in the Just Cause 3 collector’s edition. Fans of the open-world action game developed by Avalanche Studios can log into the official Just Cause 3 website and select their top three items, in order, out of a possible 12 items. Potential collector’s edition swag could include a mini art book, a grapple hook replica, a radio-controller helicopter, or various dioramas featuring series protagonist Rico.
For a full list of items, see the list below:
- Mini Art Book
- Destructible General Statue/Puzzle
- Diecast Vehicles
- Map of Medici
- Grapple Hook Replica
- Backpack
- RC Copter
- Diorama featuring Rico shooting a grappling hook
- Diorama with Rico riding the top of a car
- Diorama with Rico riding the top of a jet fighter
- 9 inch Rico
- Steelbook
PS4 Update 2.50 'Yukimura' Features Suspend/Resume, 60fps Share Play
PlayStation 4 will receive the long awaited Suspend/Resume, a feature that keeps apps running while it enters rest mode, with its upcoming system software update 2.50, “Yukimura.” The feature allows users to suspend the game they’re playing and put the PS4 into Rest Mode. They can then immediately access the title with no progress lost when powering the console back up.
"Suspend/Resume, which will be supported by nearly all PS4 titles, will create an atmosphere where your games are immediately available at any time — just pick up your DualShock 4 wireless controller, hit the PS button and get right back into the action of your games," Scott McCarthy, director of product planning and software innovation at SCEA, writes. "When it’s time to log off, simply put your PS4 in Rest Mode and when you power up the next time, you’ll start your game where you left off."
The update also confirms a few other rumoured features, such as custom button-mapping for DualShock 4 and accessibility options for a number of disabilities. The list of options include Text to Speech, Zoom, Invert Colours, Larger Text, Bold Text, High Contrast, Closed Captions, Button Assignment, and Add to Quick Menu. When the update hits, Remote Play and Share Play will support 60 frames per second and users with a sub-account will be able to upgrade to a master account directly via the PS4 when they turn 18.
-
Sub-account to Master account Upgrade: Users with a sub-account will now be able to upgrade to a master account directly from their PS4 when they turn 18, removing restrictions for chat, enabling users to fund their own wallet, make purchases and more. Currently, users can upgrade their sub-accounts online at https://account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/.
-
Facebook Friend Search: Gamers globally have jumped into PS4 as a redefined social gaming experience and connecting with friends over the network is a huge part of what makes the PS4 community so special. PlayStation now lets you go even bigger by connecting with your Facebook friends on PS4 using your linked account. Search for Facebook friends who are PlayStation Network members and build on the foundation of Friends you already have in your list.
-
Remote Play & Share Play at 60 fps: For games that support 60 fps, the ability to customize the frame rate of Remote Play and Share Play will be added with “Yukimura.” Play to your bandwidth strengths and use this option to stream gameplay at 60 or 30 fps when using Remote Play or Share Play on supported devices.
-
Accessibility Options: “Yukimura” introduces a wide variety of options to make their PS4 entertainment experience even more accessible. Options include text to speech, enlarged text, bolder fonts, higher contrast UI, zoom for displayed pictures, invert colors on screen and more. Users will also be able to reassign buttons for DualShock 4, making it easier for users with limited manual dexterity or limited reach and strength to play.
-
Trophy Improvements: We have received a ton of feedback to improve Trophies. In “Yukimura,” a screenshot will automatically be captured at the moment a Trophy is earned, making it easier than ever for you to share your greatest gaming moments with your friends. We’re also adding more sorting options along with the new ability to remove games from the Trophy list that have 0% completion.
-
Share Video Clips to Dailymotion: When sharing standout PS4 moments via the Share button on DualShock 4, “Yukimura” will allow players to upload directly to Dailymotion.
Battlefield Hardline EA Access Trial Allows 10 Hours of Gameplay
Xbox One owners will be able to play Battlefield Hardline for ten hours before it's released, thanks to EA's subscription service, EA Access.
The trial will begin for Access subscribers on March 12, five days before Battlefield Hardline's official release date. The trial includes full access to the game's multiplayer, as well as the prologue and first chapter of the TV crime drama-inspired campaign. As always, progress made in the trial will carry over to the full game, should you choose to purchase it.
That's all for now, - Audible Silence
Originally published at: http://grimreapergamers.com/grim-reaper-gaming-news-draft/