0
Here are some of the main news stories from the week in gaming.
Monday 14th December
Unravel, a platformer about a creature created from yarn, is set to release 9th February on PS4, Xbox One and PC. The game, developed by Swedish studio Coldwood and published by EA, will cost £14.99/$19.99.
Last week a website emerged teasing a new game, leading many to believe it would be System Shock 3. It has now been confirmed to be true as the countdown has ended, revealing the third instalment along with an AI voice, believed to be series villain SHODAN. There are no details other than a small mention regarding virtual reality in a survey you’re prompted to complete, provided you wish to receive updates about the game. The survey asks to rate interest in VR gaming on a scale of one to ten.
Tuesday 15th December
Following multiple requests from fans Guitar Hero Live will add head-to-head mode via the next free update.
Dubbed ‘Rival Challenges’ this new mode allows players to face off, one-on-one, albeit in a different manner. Creative director Jamie Jackson explained, “As you play through the channels, you will periodically be matched up against a similar-skilled opponent to square off, 1-on-1 style, in a song battle to test your skills. Rival Challenges will occur twice in every half-hour show. The song choices will be picked by us, so you’ll always need to be ready!”
Wednesday 16th December
Nintendo announced Corrin (from Fire Emblem Fates), Bayonetta and Cloud (famed for Final Fantasy 7) are all upcoming fighters in the next Super Smash Bros update. Cloud is available to download now whilst Corrin and Bayonetta will be added to the roster via the next DLC pack.
Hideo Kojima officially left Konami early this week prompting Sony to release an official statement as well as a short video, confirming a partnership with Kojima Productions. Kojima also revealed his studio is now classified as independent. The two will collaborate on a new, exclusive upcoming title.
In the video, Andrew House, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO, said, “PlayStation’s history is one of game innovation and great new franchises […]Hideo has been a huge part of that history, and we are therefore delighted that he has chosen to bring his brand new project to life in partnership with PlayStation.”
A new Kojima Predictions website has been launched along with a new company logo.
Thursday 17th December
Just Cause 3 has received good review however many critics noted the game has long loading and respawn times. As a result a new patch will be implemented to resolve the issues respectively in addition to; optimising online stats, fix general stability issues, fix specific challenge issues and issues related to screen resizing and closing the game window before the game has fully started up regarding the PC edition.
Telltale has announced Minecraft: Story Mode Episode 4, entitled A Block and a Hard Place, will release 22nd December simultaneously on all console and devices.
Friday 18th December
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, the expansion of Capcom’s action-RPG, is due to release on PC 15th January. The game was originally meant to port to PC three years ago however this delay means it will now include 4k resolution and 60 frames-per-second and new features.
In what undoubtedly appears to be a reaction to this news of the Sony/Kojima partnership, Konami has published a recruit advertisement for development staff to work on a “New Metal Gear”. Located on the publisher’s job listing page the announcement states, “now recruiting a wide range of highly-skilled game development professionals who wish to work with us on the creation of “New Metal Gear'”.