Archived News:

Friday, Sep 13, 2019 Scooby Doo Day

THE GREAT GEOMETRIC MULTIVERSE TOUR Free on Steam

THE GREAT GEOMETRIC MULTIVERSE TOUR is currently free to keep on Steam for anyone who picks up their copy of this first-person, bullet hell, arcade shooter for Windows, macOS, and Linux (thanks SteamDB via Ant). Here's more on the game:
LIBERATE THE GEOMETRIC PEOPLE AND SAVE THE MULTIVERSE! Fight through the randomly chosen universes of the Geometric Multiverse, arming yourself to the teeth with insane weaponry and mutating your mind, body, and soul with the unrelenting power of genetically altering pills.

Features

  • Fast paced, bullet hell, arcade shooter
  • Roguelike play style (But what game isn't these days, amirite?)
  • Randomized pickups, for better or worse (Oh yeah, they stack)
  • 4 game modes, for even more ways to play
  • Increasingly difficult combat
  • Scores so big, you'll probably have to look up how to say the number (We know we did)
  • Self-explode, to get yourself out of those tight situations
  • Over 20 cheats, for when you feel like just messing around
  • Into leveling up? We got 1,000 of em
  • Pills that modify you, your enemies, your weapons, the environment, and pretty much anything in between

Street Fighter V Free Weekend

Street Fighter V for Windows is free to play all weekend on Steam, offering the chance to kick ass and take names without taking out your wallet. If you do decide to buy the game, it is on sale for 60% off. Here's a refresher on this latest installment in the fighting series:
Experience the intensity of head-to-head battle with Street Fighter® V! Choose from 16 iconic characters, each with their own personal story and unique training challenges, then battle against friends online or offline with a robust variety of match options.

Earn Fight Money in Ranked Matches, play for fun in Casual Matches or invite friends into a Battle Lounge and see who comes out on top! PlayStation 4 and Steam players can also play against each other thanks to cross-play compatibility!

This version of Street Fighter V displays the “Arcade Edition” title screen and includes Arcade Mode, Team Battle Mode and the online-enabled Extra Battle Mode, where you can earn rewards, XP and Fight Money! Fight Money can be used to purchase additional characters, costumes, stages and more!

PlanTechtor Free Weekend

PlanTechtor is a wave-based shooter for virtual reality that can be played for free for the next two days on Steam. As explained in this post, developer FunnerSoft is looking for additional feedback on the game, hence the free sample. This requires a VR headset and a play area with 360º tracking, supporting HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality. Here's more on the game, which is on sale for half off:
*** It's a wave shooter with DEPTH ! *** The pre-game is all about building your weapon loadouts. Pay attention to the level bonuses and maximize your synergies.When you are ready, prove your plan in fast paced VR gameplay.

GOG GALAXY 2.0 Beta Updated

GOG.com announced the latest improvements in beta of version 2.0 of their GOG GALAXY client as they work to build a master client for all your game accounts. Those interested in participating in the beta can sign up here (a GOG.com account is required). This video discuses the changes, which are detailed below:
Global Search
Find games, friends, or metadata with the new search button (or Ctrl+F/CMD+F). Quick actions like launching games or starting a chat are also available from Global Search.

Manual game adding
Games found with Global Search can be marked as owned, and then linked to an executable for launching and game time tracking.

Downloads view
Manage your active, queued, and completed downloads from a new section that appears in the sidebar automatically (for GOG.COM games only).

Grid and list views customization
New columns are available in the library list view. Reorder and toggle columns in the list view, customize additional info shown in the grid view, or sort and group with new options.
Continue here to read the full story.

The Games of August

NPD Group offers a new list of Entertainment Industry Top 10 Sellers for the U.S., updated with August data. Here's a Highlights Video, and below is the latest data, with the usual set of mismatched footnotes:

Top 10 Selling Video Games (Retail and Digital), August 2019

Rank Rank Last Month Title Publisher
1 1 Madden NFL 20^ Electronic Arts
2 5 Minecraft# Multiple Video Game Manufacturers
3 6 Grand Theft Auto V Take 2 Interactive (Corp)
4 2 Fire Emblem: Three Houses* Nintendo
5 7 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate* Nintendo
6 3 Super Mario Maker 2* Nintendo
7 9 Mario Kart 8* Nintendo
8 8 Mortal Kombat 11 Warner Bros. Interactive
9 12 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege Ubisoft
10 NEW Astral Chain* Nintendo

Top 10 Selling Video Games (Retail and Digital), YTD Ending August 2019

Rank Rank Last Month Title Publisher
1 1 Mortal Kombat 11 Warner Bros. Interactive
2 2 Kingdom Hearts III Square Enix Inc (Corp)
3 8 Madden NFL 20^ Electronic Arts
4 3 Tom Clancy's The Division 2^ Ubisoft
5 4 Anthem^ Electronic Arts
6 6 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate* Nintendo
7 5 Resident Evil 2 2019 Capcom USA
8 11 Grand Theft Auto V Take 2 Interactive (Corp)
9 7 Red Dead Redemption II Take Two Interactive (Corp)
10 9 Days Gone Sony (Corp)

*** No digital sales included in ranking.
^ Battle.net sales not included
NPD’s U.S. top 10 games list, ranked by dollar sales, includes full-game digital sales (from participating publishers) as well as sales for physical formats sold at retail and online across console, PC and portable platforms.

Continue here to read the full story.

Nicalis Founder Apologizes

A tweet from Tyrone Rodriguez has a response from the Nicalis founder to allegations of his abusive and discriminatory comments (thanks VideoGamer.com). He offers apologies, and says that his own behavior should not reflect on his colleagues:
I wrote some terribly insensitive, stupid remarks in DMs that don't represent who I am. Just because they were done in a private situation while trying to be "funny" and edgy doesn't make them any less terrible.

As someone who has experienced racism and discrimination in my lift, I should know better and must be a better person. I can't throw around words for shock value or because I believe they'll get a laugh.

I want to also clarify that my insensitivity and vulgarity shouldn't reflect on the people I work with. They're good people and shouldn't be held responsible for my own actions

If I've hurt you—and I wasn't aware until today that I might have—I hope you can forgive me someday.

Churchgoers Released

Churchgoers is now available for Windows and macOS on itch.io and Steam. Word is this is "a turn-based pixel RPG where it's never your turn that tells the story of a boy seeking revenge on a power-hungry priest, who murdered the boy's sister." Put on your Sunday go to meeting clothes and check out this trailer and read on for further details:
Churchgoers is a stylized turn-based RPG where it's never your turn!

Interact with lots of characters to learn about them and the land that surrounds you.

Gain different types of powers in the form of prayers that helps you withstand the challenges along your journey.

Resist the overwhelming power of the spiritual by dodging multiple of incoming attacks for a period of time.

Complete challenges and puzzles that are blocking your path along your way.

Travel through three different environments; a meadow, a school and a church to eventually reach and confront the Priest of Ash, ruin his control over the realm and avenge your sister!

Features

  • Resist against the power of the spiritual by moving a token on a grid, dodging incoming attacks.
  • Use powers called prayers in the overworld to solve puzzles.
  • Immerse yourself in the world through the characters, music and environment.

Continue here to read the full story.

Into the Black

Obituary: Eddie Money Dead at 70 from Complications from Heart Valve Procedure. "I wanna go back, and do it all over. But I can't go back I know."

Borderlands 3 Released

2K Games and Gearbox Software announce that Borderlands 3 is now available worldwide for Windows, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. The PC edition can be found on the Epic Games Store, bundled with a free copy of the Fortnite Psycho Bundle Pack. They celebrate the news with a new music video featuring a performance from The Heavy along with gameplay footage and A Letter from Borderlands 3's Creative Director. There are apparently some performance issues present upon launch, which are discussed in a Problem/Bug megathread on Reddit where you may find solutions. Here's the presser:
Today, 2K and Gearbox Software are proud to announce that Borderlands® 3, the next installment in the award-winning, genre-defining shooter-looter series, is now available worldwide on PlayStation® 4, Xbox One, and PC via the Epic Games Store.

This release marks the culmination of nearly five years of development and re-establishes the series as a true genre leader, with best-in-class shooting, deeper-than-ever customization, irreverent humor and memorable characters, and intuitive, innovative cooperative multiplayer gameplay. To see the official cinematic launch trailer, please click here.

“There is something special about seeing an idea start and watching that idea go through multiple people who each contribute their effort and their talent to make the idea a reality,” wrote Borderlands 3 Creative Director Paul Sage in an open letter to fans published earlier today. “I cannot stress enough how the team has come together to make sure we have produced a worthy successor to Borderlands 2, but I hope more than just feeling the team’s passion, more than getting to experience the next Borderlands, you get to sit down, laugh a little, and just have a damn good time.”

Early critics agree, Borderlands is back and better than ever. IGN awarded Borderlands 3 a 9/10, noting “its arsenal of fun is unmatched.” Meristation proclaimed the game is “destined to become a classic,” while Shacknews deemed it “an absolute masterpiece.” Destructoid described Borderlands 3 as “a hallmark of excellence,” and USgamer called the game “an absolute blast.”

The franchise, which combines the exhilarating action of a first-person shooter with the rich progression and loot systems of a role-playing game, has sold-in more than 48 million units worldwide to date. The most popular title in the series – Borderlands 2 – still draws in more than one million unique monthly users more than six years after the game’s initial release in 2012.

Borderlands 3 expands and improves many of the key features that made the series a critical and commercial success, while also introducing innovative new concepts to its proven formula, including:

  • A Mayhem-Fueled Thrill Ride: The fanatical Calypso Twins have united the bandit clans and are closing in on the galaxy’s ultimate power. Only you, a thrill-seeking Vault Hunter, have the arsenal and allies to take them down. Uncover the rewarding mysteries, memorable inhabitants, and deep lore of the extensive Borderlands narrative universe.
  • Your Vault Hunter, Your Playstyle: Become one of four extraordinary new Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities and playstyles, deep skill trees, and tons of personalization options.
  • Lock, Load, and Loot: With multiple distinct weapons manufacturers, a revolutionary content generation system, and special legendary drops to uncover, your ever-improving arsenal comes with near-infinite possibilities. Shotguns with bullet shields? Rifles with multiple elemental damage types? SMGs that grow legs and chase down enemies? All of the above!
  • New Borderlands: Discover new worlds beyond Pandora, each featuring unique environments to explore and enemies to destroy. Tear through hostile deserts, battle your way across war-torn cityscapes, navigate deadly bayous, and more!
  • Quick & Seamless Co-Op Action: With the new “level-sync” system, the experience seamlessly scales for each individual player. That means you can play with anyone at any time online or in split-screen co-op, regardless of your level or mission progress. Plus, when you take down enemies and challenges as a team, “loot instancing” ensures you reap rewards that are yours alone – no one misses out on loot.

With multiple editions chock-full of digital bonus content, fans can pick the loot-splosion that’s right for them: the Borderlands 3 Standard Edition is available for $59.99 and includes the base game. The Borderlands 3 Deluxe Edition is available for $79.99 and includes the base game, as well as the following bonus digital content: Retro Cosmetic Pack, Neon Cosmetic Pack, Gearbox Cosmetic Pack, Toy Box Weapon Pack, and XP & Loot Drop Boost Mods.

Finally, the Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe Edition is available for $99.99 and includes all the bonus digital content of the Deluxe Edition plus the Borderlands 3 Season Pass, which includes: four (4) campaign DLC packs featuring new stories, missions and challenges; Butt Stallion weapon skin, weapon trinket, and grenade mod. Please note that starting September 17, 2019, the digital version of Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe Edition will update to the full MSRP of $119.99.

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A Plague Tale: Innocence Free Trial

Publisher Focus Home Interactive and developer Asobo Studio announce a free trial for A Plague Tale: Innocence is underway for PC and consoles, clearly hoping the action/adventure will go viral. The Windows version offered on Steam as a demo. They promote this with a new rat-infested trailer and offer the following explanation:
This allows any player to experience the full first chapter of Hugo and Amicia’s story, giving you just a glimpse of the riveting, chaotic, and highly rated tale. The free trial is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, starting today, and the new Free Trial trailer gives just a few hints at what lies in wait.

Those who are unfamiliar with A Plague Tale: Innocence will discover a gorgeous mixture of adventure, puzzle solving, deadly combat, and stealth. This combines for an experience that maintains incredible reviews from press and players alike. As Amicia De Rune, protect your brother Hugo and yourself from deadly disease, swarms of rats, and armies of merciless warriors.

The release of the Free Trial also accompanies our largest sale ever on A Plague Tale: Innocence. On Steam, A Plague Tale: Innocence will be a part of the Focus Home Interactive publisher weekend. Xbox players will also be able to grab the game discounted as part of the Deals With Gold initiative. All these discounts will end on September 16th - so don’t delay!
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Chernobylite Early Access Next Month

The Farm 51 announces Early Access to Chernobylite will begin on October 16th in another bit of release news about a crowdfunded game set in the exclusion zone of Pripyat and the Chernobyl power plant. They say the full release of this irradiated survival/horror game will come in the middle of next year. In the meantime they offer this trailer with a look at what to expect upon the Early Access launch along with the following details:
Thanks to the backers, support, Chernobylite has been enriched with new locations, characters, and even additional game mechanics. On October 16th all the patiently awaiting gamers will have an amazing opportunity to explore the heart of darkness – a Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant itself, as well as terrifying environments of Kopachi kindergarten, the mysterious Eye of Moscow, and fragments of the abandoned city of Pripyat. Early Access will offer its players an endless survival experience with 8 hours of storytelling and free-of-charge access to the upcoming updates adding new episodes, locations, characters, and equipment to the game. The story in Chernobylite is non-linear, unpredictable, and fully dependent on the player’s decisions, which leads to many possible endings. That means even if you finish the story in Early Access, you can relive it again many times and in many different ways.

Watch the Chernobylite gameplay footage showcasing the components of the Early Access version HERE but be aware that after watching it, you’ll need a long, decontamination shower.

It’s also worth mentioning that on September 17th Chernobylite will run its Closed Alpha tests just for the Kickstarter backers. The testers will have a whole month to try the game, report bugs, leave their thoughts, ideas, and wishes about the further direction of the project.

Developers are hoping that the feedback gathered from gamers and a close interaction with their community at every stage of the production will direct further development in the right place, as happened before – and alpha tests as well as Early Access will help to shape the final version in the best possible way.

The full release is planned for the second half of 2020, so be sure to follow Chernobylite’s Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1016800/Chernobylite/) and Discord (https://discord.gg/mehRmzY) to keep up with all the news and updates from the developers, who are always happy to engage in discussions with their fans. After the Steam release, the game will also appear on other PC digital distribution platforms.
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Demoniaca Next Week

Demoniaca: Everlasting Night will be released on Steam on September 19th, a Castlevania-inspired action/RPG. The most recent video from this project, which got its start on Kickstarter, is quite old, but shows off the first 25 minutes of gameplay (as of January 2018, at least). Here's more on the game:
Demoniaca - is a dark, gothic, mature and sexy action RPG inspired by the Castlevania series. Explore, fight, meet new friends and avenge those who brought you unbearable pain and loss. Unlimited character customization. RPG elements. Available split-screen. Tons of loot. Killer humor. Sea of secrets and easter eggs. Almost 18+. A controller is humbly recommended!
Continue here to read the full story.

Encased Early Access This Month

Publisher Black Tower Entertainment and developer Dark Crystal Games announce that September 26th is when to expect Encased to enter Early Access on GOG.com and Steam. An Early Access Teaser Trailer offers a gameplay-free look at this post-apocalyptic RPG, which was financed through crowdfunding. Here's word on their Early Access strategy and the game itself:
At the start of Early Access, players will be able to complete the prologue and first act of the game. You will play as an employee of the CRONUS Foundation, recruited to live in and study the anomalous zone known as the Dome. During an expedition, the player triggers a mysterious incident that leads to a cycle of events that will forever change the world under the Dome. The initial Early Access release will feature 10+ hours of gameplay. In addition to the main quest, players will have the option to pursue several side-quests, develop skills and character attributes, participate in multiple turn-based battles, and explore some of the open world and CRONUS fortifications.

During Early Access, we will be releasing regular updates to significantly increase the amount of available content, locations, and quests.

Key features:

  • A story that covers events before, during, and after the apocalypse;
  • Your choice of main character archetype from five different divisions, each with unique possibilities;
  • A system of skill trees and abilities offering flexible hero customization;
  • Classic turn-based combat;
  • Anomalies and artifacts left behind by the mysterious Forefathers;
  • Open world and non-linear main quest progression;
  • A variety of weapons and armor, without which it would be impossible to survive in this cruel post-apocalyptic world;
  • Hundreds of unique characters and a global sandbox map with a variety of random encounters;

Independent studio Dark Crystal Games, founded by several former Larian Studios developers, has been working on Encased for about two years. During this time, the team has successfully funded a Kickstarter campaign, released an interactive questionnaire for players, and performed countless closed alpha and beta tests.

Continue here to read the full story.

Binding of Isaac Creator Leaving Publisher Nicalis Over Abuse Allegations

A post on Kotaku investigates complaints about game publisher Nicalis, reporting allegations of incidents of racism, exploitation, and ghosting (thanks PCGamesN). They spoke with four game developers and seven former employees, who make disturbing allegations of such behavior. They also offer excerpts from Skype logs of conversations containing troubling language from company founder Tyrone Rodriguez. They share a response to this from Nicalis that says in part, "do not condone abusive workplace environments or discrimination." There is also word that Binding of Isaac creator Edmund McMillen saying that after the release of Binding of Isaac: Repentance, he will be ending his partnership with the developer:
While reporting this story, we reached out to Edmund McMillen, the creator of Binding of Isaac, who has been working with Nicalis for console ports and remakes of his games since 2012. When informed of the specific allegations against Nicalis that Kotaku planned to report, McMillen said that Rodriguez “wasn’t ever my boss, he’s always just been a publisher of my work” and that he would be halting his plans to work with them on two future games.

“I won’t be moving forward with Nicalis when it comes to the port of The Legend of Bum-bo or any console versions of Mewgenics,” he said in an email. “[Binding of Isaac: Repentance] will still be releasing as originally planned, the team poured their heart and soul into this DLC and it’s very close to releasing.”

Another J.J. Abrams/Bad Robot Gaming Deal

WarnerMedia and Bad Robot Productions announce a collaboration agreement that covers original projects for television, theatrical motion pictures, games, and digital platforms from the production company of Hollywood producer/director J.J. Abrams. It was last year that Bad Robot Games was launched as a partnership with Tencent, but we've heard nothing more about that since then. Also, Bad Robot announced a game project called SPYJINX four years ago, but the SPYJINX Website is a ghost town at this point. And it was over six years ago that Abrams and Valve announced plans for a collaboration on Portal/Half-Life films, but the only news on that in years was a one-word comment from Gabe Newell at the beginning of this year saying this was still a thing. So knowing there are already gaming projects on Bad Robot's plate that they are just pushing around with their fork, here's word on the gaming component of this new deal:
In 2018, Bad Robot formed a video game development division Bad Robot Games, in association with Tencent and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and the companies will continue to work together on the creation of new large and indie consumer games for mobile, PC and console.

Discord Blowing Up Nitro Games Program

A post to the Discord Blog covers "What's Coming for Nitro," the paid subscription program for the chat service. Word is they are killing off the game catalogue part of Nitro, and will be offering refunds to those upset at the change. It may not be that a lot of users will require a refund, as they say the reason they are making this change is due to lack of interest:
This coming October marks one year since we signed the first batch of games to our Nitro Games catalogue. This means next month, it’s time to revisit those annual contracts.

We learned a lot from all of you over the last year. Through your valuable feedback, it became clear that while we and some of you love these games, the truth is the vast majority of Nitro subscribers didn’t play them.

So, after careful consideration, we won’t be hitting Continue when these contracts come up for renewal. The Nitro Games catalogue will be removed on October 15th, 2019.

To those who did support these games, thank you so much. We know this may be a surprising change, so If you want to cancel your Nitro subscription because of this, we’re offering a refund: you can contact our team here.

Munchkin: Quacked Quest Announced

Asmodee Digital announce Munchkin: Quacked Quest, a casual co-op action/RPG in the Steve Jackson-designed Munchkin universe coming to Steam and consoles this autumn (thanks Gematsu). Word is: "Dive into Munchkin: Quacked Quest and re-discover the parody, puns, and humor from the hit card game Munchkin by Steve Jackson. Gather gold, throw your foes (and friends) into sacrifice pits, collect ducks, eliminate the monsters—from reanimated skeletons to the Potted Plant and even the Plutonium Dragon—and reach the highest level to win the game! After all, there’s only one spot at the top and you just found a chainsaw…" This post has a Teaser Trailer with a first look along with a bunch of details:
A time not so long ago in a universe that mocks our own...

Welcome to the frenetic world of Munchkin, where those daring enough among you will defy the best wishes of your party and friends to become THE ULTIMATE! If you are someone who would backstab your allies to claim that epic new item, then Munchkin: Quacked Quest is the game for you...

Take on the role of one of four not-so-unique races alongside your frenemies to fight back the evil within the dungeon. Face off against terrifying foes, such as reanimated skeletons, The Plutonium Dragon, or even the dreadful...Potted Plant? Be careful though as in this parodic and quacky world, created by Steve Jackson, the worst enemies you will face may very well be sitting beside you!

When this trailer hits 88 quacks per hour, you're gonna see some serious stuff!
Continue here to read the full story.

Hardware Reviews

Out of the Blue

Happy Friday the 13th! Here's hoping you don't suffer from Triskaidekaphobia. Tonight is also a full moon, so here's hoping you don't suffer from Selenophobia. And if you suffer from both, well, sorry, though there's a bit of good luck for you: JDreyer points out that the next full moon/Friday the 13th convergence will not occur for another 30 years, so it's not like this comes up that often.

Lucky Links: Thanks Ant.
Stories: "South Park" Renewed For Three More Seasons. The Simpsons Already Did It.
Science: Climate change: Arctic glaciers 'shrinking by 300m each year.'
Scientists propose ‘Spaceline’ elevator to the Moon.
Images: Marathon Utility Controller.
MS Word.
Media: Mario & Luigi- Super Anime Brothers.
Chubby Corgis Fighting - Sound Designed. Thanks Boing Boing.
Honest Trailers - Aladdin (2019).
The Funnies: LOL Nein.
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