Today in Music Week we're going back to 2005, to Nintendo DS, and to the experimental Electroplankton.

Even if Electroplankton wasn't about various things that live in the water, I suspect that looking down into its depths would still feel a lot like moving between different rockpools, each one its own little universe filled with unique creatures, swarming and multiplying. In 2005, when the game, directed by Toshio Iwai, an interactive media and installation artist, was released in Japan, sound toys were just starting to spark and judder in browsers and Flash players. Something was happening! And yet Electroplankton already felt very different. It wasn't just sound, it was sound and life. As you moved between the scattered electroplankton and worked out what noises they might make, you were also learning what they liked to do, and how they lived.

Some of these creatures I loved immediately. Take Tracy, who opens the game, a little kite-shaped delight who follows the spiked trails you lay down with the stylus, playing as she goes. Is that the piano? Maybe. Tracy is a glissando doodler, speed and precision and the tumbling together of different tracks. I always let all of the Tracies go and then inevitably end up scribbling them together into a little snarl of jangling noise - a bait ball, and we're back in the oceans.

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Having previously been revealed only for the Nintendo Switch, Capcom has confirmed that a PC release for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is part of the release plan. In fact, the Pokémon-like role-playing adventure will be hitting Steam day and date as the Switch release.

Fans of Capcom’s monster-slaying franchise can prepare themselves for a new adventure come July 9, 2021. However, instead of the all-action experience that many have come to know and love like the upcoming Monster Hunter Rise, this particular spin-off is a turn-based experience.

The original Monster Hunter Stories first came out in 2017 for the Nintendo 3DS, changing up the formula to some degree of success.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin places more emphasis on capturing, training, and fighting alongside your chosen monsters. Suffice to say, it is clear where that inspiration has come from.

The premise of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin revolves around the disappearance of the fearsome Rathalos. Together with the dangerous Razewing Ratha, it is up to you to figure out the mystery. Players familiar with the franchise will see plenty of familiar faces.

Chocobo Racing was an absolutely staple '90s game. I mean, it came at the tail-end of the '90s, but it epitomized Square Enix's attempt to spin off anything and everything Final Fantasy related after VII hit it so big. And mascot kart racers? They were '90s comfort food. It was the perfect combination that formed a very fun little racer, and it might be coming back.

Square Enix tried to resurrect it once before! In the mid-2010s there was talk of reviving the series on 3DS, but it was quietly canceled because of the "quality of the game" behind the scenes. But hopefully this new trademark will give us some hope, as "Chocobo GP" and "Chocobo Grand Prix" have been registered in several countries (Europe, Australia, Canada) recently.

It could be a remaster or remake, or a new game: we don't really know at this point. But either way, I'd definitely welcome the chicken overlord back into the fray given how long he's been gone. I mean if Crash Team Racing can get a revival, and Mario Kart is still around and selling, why not?!

Chocobo GP [Chizai-Watch via Gematsu]

This morning, Microsoft officially confirmed that it has completed its $7.5 billion USD acquisition of ZeniMax Media and its subsidiary companies. As of today, Bethesda Softworks, its studios, and range of IPs and licenses are now officially Xbox-owned properties.

"It’s an honor to welcome the eight incredibly talented development studios – Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios - and their passionate global communities to the Xbox family," said Xbox head Phil Spencer in a statement. "Our goal is to give these teams the best foundation for doing their greatest work and to learn from them as we continue to build Xbox into an inclusive platform for all players."

"This is the next step in building an industry-leading first party studios team, a commitment we have to our Xbox community. With the addition of the Bethesda creative teams, gamers should know that Xbox consoles, PC, and Game Pass will be the best place to experience new Bethesda games, including some new titles in the future that will be exclusive to Xbox and PC players."

As Sonic the Hedgehog's 30th anniversary year continues, more and more companies are producing merchandise celebrating the Blue Blur and his army of fuzzy friends. The latest in this line of product announcements comes from Japanese toy manufacturer Tomy, who is adding Sonic and his friends to its collectible "Club Mocchi" line of plush dolls.

The Club Mocchi range of plushies are cute and cuddly toys stylized after a variety of video game icons. Characters and items already featured in the range include Kirby, a Zelda Octorock, a Splatoon Squid, Super Mario Bros.' Boo, and Mario Kart's Blue Shell. The first item from the Sonic license will be the smart-alec hedgehog himself, alongside his fox pal Tails. Further characters to be announced down the line - a must for Sonic memorabilia collectors.

K-pop has certainly taken over the world as of late, and there is no stopping the wave. Sony Pictures Animation has announced it is starting development on a musical starring a demon-hunting K-pop girl group. Sony’s K-Pop: Demon Hunters sounds like a perfect recipe for a good time.

Our heroines in question will be trying to balance their professional lives in the limelight with saving the world as badass demon hunters in their free time. Be prepared for plenty of action, adventure, and of course, colorful fashion, attractive style, and banging music.

The animated film will be helmed by Maggie Kang, who was the head of story on 2017’s The Lego Ninjago Movie. Illustrator Chris Appelhans of The Princess And The Frog will also be lending his expertise. Rounding out the team would be Oscar-winning producer Aron Warner, and the scriptwriters Hannah McMechan and Danya Jimenez.

Kang explained that the film is her way of paying homage to “her Korean pride and the widely popular K-pop music she grew up with” when speaking to Variety about her work on K-Pop: Demon Hunters with Sony.

Today Nihon Falcom released a gallery of screenshots the first gameplay, and more details of the upcoming JRPG The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki.

First of all, we take a look at the main characters.

Van Arkride is 24 years-old and fights with a sword named “Stun Caliber.”

He’s a young behind-the-scenes problem solver (a profession named “Spriggan”) based in the old district of the capital of the Republic of Calvard, Edith.

He may seem a bit cold and pragmatic, but he has a sense of justice and he is quite good at taking care of others.

Due to his work, he has connections with many in various lines of business and has a wide range of contacts. Yet, he usually refuses to let people see what is truly hidden in his heart.

Although he started this job by accident, he seems to be quite happy with his way of life. Even if his job may seem seedy, he performs it as well as he can.

You can see him in action below.

Agnès Claudel is 16, and she fights with the “Oval Staff.”

She appears sweet and innocent, but behind her cool eyes she hides a strong will. She learned self-defense with a staff as an elective subject in school and she is a member of the student council, spending her carefree days taking care of general issues with her friends.

When she learns that an orbment that belonged to her great-grandfather has been stolen, she doesn’t go to the police, but instead resorts to contacting Van’s “Arkride Solution Office.”

Below you can watch a brief video showing her in combat.

An as-yet-unannounced compilation of recent Tomb Raider releases appeared on Microsoft's Xbox Store this past weekend, only to vanish just as quickly.

According to the long-gone listing, spotted by ResetEra users, The Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy is comprised of three titles taken from Lara Croft's grisly modern reboot: Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. The trilogy supports HDR/4K visuals and comes packaged with all previously released DLC, along with each title's respective online/multiplayer modes.

According to the listing, the Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy is scheduled to launch on Xbox One March 18, although it would seem very likely that the same package will also be available on PlayStation platforms. Once official confirmation from Tomb Raider publisher Square Enix is forthcoming, we will be sure to update you. So stay tuned.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Survivor Trilogy popped up on Microsoft Store [Eurogamer]

Today sees the release of EA's futuristic battle royale title Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch, bringing all of the explosive action of the Respawn Entertainment developed shooter to the hybrid console. Players can dive straight into the action with a huge roster of "Legends", a double XP event, and the option to play with the community-at-large, thanks to its optional cross-play capabilities.

But for those perhaps hoping on making a permanent transition from Apex Legends' current PC and console ports to the Switch, I'm afraid that you'll have to start from scratch, as the new release does not support cross-progression - at least not in the immediate future. Speaking to Nintendo Life, Game director Chad Grenier spoke of his regret that the team cannot offer cross-progression at present, but noted that they are working hard to make it a possibility at some point down the line.

Publisher Kakao Games and developer Lionheart Studio released a new trailer of their upcoming MMORPG Odin: Valhalla Rising.

This time around, we get to see a cinematic cutscene titled “Loki’s Fury” which the developer clarifies is actually running in the game’s engine.

It’s pretty epic, and you can watch it below.

If you want to see more, you can enjoy another batch of trailers released at G-Star in Korea back in November and one more from last month.

Odin: Valhalla Rising is set on four different continents based on Norse mythology, Midgard, Jotunheim, Nidavellir, and Alfheim.

The world is populated by plenty of monsters and creatures besides humans, elves, and giants. Horse riding also seems to play a relevant role in the game.

The game has been in development a few years, previously known as “Project Odin.”

The premise of The Devil Is a Part-Timer is a novel one, with an all-powerful Demon Lord forced to get a part-time job and adapt to every-day life after he’s whisked into our world. This unique concept can make finding similar shows a challenge, though. Luckily we’re here to help with a list of five anime like The Devil is a Part-Timer if you’re looking for something similar.

(Featured Image via Netflix & White Fox)

In both the original Digimon Adventure and the new reboot, each of the chosen human children brought to the Digital World to partner with a Digimon has a special emotional affinity that, when activated, helps give their Digimon the power to evolve. Some of the kids’ specialties, like Taichi’s courage and Yamata’s…

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The studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen brings us Yasuke

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Twitch streamers go to great lengths to make their channels unique and interesting, but sometimes separating yourself from the pack is as simple as miking up your console to capture the sounds it makes while loading data from its disc drive.

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Today two new aircraft have been released for Microsoft Flight Simulator, the T-45C Goshawk and the Kinner B-2 Sportwing.

The McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk is a carrier-capable trainer used by the U.S Navy.

It can be purchased on Orbx and SimMarket from IndiaFoxtEcho for $30 plus applicable VAT, and below you can check out a gallery of screenshots and, feature list, and my first landing.

Incidentally, IndiaFoxtEcho is the same developer that created the excellent MB-339.

The mysterious Servant teased during Winter Caravan 2021 is Jacques de Molay. As well, a new Caster will make waves in Fate/Grand Order Arcade.

The post Fate/Grand Order Arcade Adds Jacques de Molay and Leonardo da Vinci appeared first on Siliconera.

I’ve done the unforgivable: I lowered the difficulty in Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection because I wasn’t getting anywhere close to beating the first level. But now, after finally doing so, I have zero motivation to keep playing.

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It's International Women's Day today, the gaming industry is celebrating the wonderful women that make up the community we love so much. From developers to writers — even talking about our favorite protagonists — there are so many incredible voices that help to make games phenomenal experiences. One of those women is Chelsea Blasko, co-CEO of Iron Galaxy Studios.

Not only has Blasko's leadership been a positive force within Iron Galaxy itself, she also helped navigate the team through 2020, a year that was turned on its head by a global pandemic. While many companies, both in and out of gaming, were forced to downsize due to daily life as we know it shutting down, Blasko and her team helped facilitate yet another year of growth. Not only did the studio expand, it also expanded thoughtfully, with 59 new people hired during COVID-19, 30 percent of which were women. 

From her rise to her leadership role to how Iron Galaxy goes above and beyond to protect the well-being of every team member, we sat down with the co-CEO to learn more about her, her career, and ways that she is leading by example to make the gaming industry a better and more inclusive place for all. 

Marvel’s Avengers has a new update coming that will let players customize its H.A.R.M. Rooms. These special training arenas and serve as the game’s equivalent to the X-Men's Danger Room (H.A.R.M. stands for "Holographic Augmented Reality Machine"), allow players to practice using characters against a variety of A.I. opponents. 

The update is coming to all platforms on March 18, though the trailer shared by the game’s Twitter account dubs it as "H.A.R.M. Room for PC" and evidently shows off gameplay from that version. It’s also sponsored by Intel because...sure?

Basically, it allows players to customize the parameters for the H.A.R.M. Room. Options include choosing which enemy types to use as punching bags as well as how big they are and how many. The trailer shows that players can flood the entire room with opponents as large as those walking AIM mechs. Players can up the difficulty further by adding hazards and give themselves an edge with a variety of buffs. 

That's a sizable shift from what Victura CEO Peter Tamte told Polygon last month about the studio's desire to not "make a political commentary about whether or not the war itself was a bad idea." ...

Loop Hero tasks the player with going round and round the loop until they're ready to battle big bosses. Astral Orbs are one of the highest-tier crafting materials that you're going to want to hunt down in order to handle some of the best upgrades in the game that give you powerful bonuses and options. What is Loop Hero? Check this article out for a look at why you should check out this indie roguelite. If you want a much better chance at taking on some of Loop Hero's harder bosses and bigger chapters, gathering up some Astral Orbs is a must. So, how do you get them?

There’s elaborate performance art, and then there’s what renowned Twitch jester Jerma did over the weekend. In a truly inspired stream, he parodied the recent Pokémon booster pack craze by going out into the Nevada desert and pretending to excavate a chest seemingly full of unopened Pokémon cards from 1997. They…

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For Cyberpunk 2077, obviously there was a major gulf between expectations and reality. But whose expectations? We look at how devs should manage pre-release hype for their game carefully. ...

Third-party developers continue to work around the clock (since they come from all over the world) to add their add-ons to the growing world of Microsoft Flight Simulator.

First of all, today we get a new release. AviaJam launched its Bangkok Landmarks package.

It includes over 200 buildings to improve the capital of Thailand. We even get the terminals of the Don Mueang International Airport and the Suvarnabhumi International Airport as a bonus.

The package can be purchased on SimMarket for approximately $12 plus applicable VAT.

Moving on to previews of yet unreleased products, we take another video look at Berlin Berlin Brandeburg (EDDB) by Aerosoft. This time around, we see the animated jetways in action.

Wizards of the Coast made sure to leave room in the margins for dreaming

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Multiplayer survival game Rust will be coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One this spring, developer Double Eleven announced today.

No specific date was given, but the game is slated to launch in the spring following a closed beta that is currently ongoing. The studio had released a teaser trailer last week and gave a brief look at the game’s visuals and gameplay.

According to the press release, Rust on consoles will feature online play with up to 100 other players. Like its PC counterpart, it will retain the game’s theme of survival against nature against other players through scavenging, crafting, and combat.

“Conquer thirst and hunger, battle the elements, create clothing and stay safe against hostile forces including other players, scientists, bears, wolves or even succumb to fire, drowning or radiation poisoning,” the game’s description reads. “A game without rules, Rust doesn’t tell its inhabitants what to do. Players are free to be deceptive and aggressive with intense player vs. player combat, raiding and looting, but there is potentially even more to be earned with a team of friendly players by your side.”

Rust originally launched in 2013 under Steam Early Access, and fully released on PC in 2018. Console versions were initially coming in 2020, but was delayed last December due to challenges of remote working caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demiurge is looking for someone who can talk to designers, write a spec, make a perfect wireframe, clothe it in a gorgeous UI, then roll up their sleeves and implement it in game. ...

An A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism Switch Demo pulled into the station ahead of the game, so people can try it before paying $60 for it.

The post A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism Switch Demo Appears Ahead of Launch appeared first on Siliconera.

I have a confession to make: Despite being Kotaku’s number one Overwatch fan, I haven’t played it myself in two years. But buffeted by my optimism for Overwatch 2 and being unable to get my Overwatch fix because Overwatch League won’t be back for another month, I decided to play again, hoping to recapture what I first…

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Studio shuts down just nine months after launching debut game

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Today aircraft developers provided more goodies for their add-ons coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Aerosoft published a work-in-progress version of the manuals of its Bombardier CRJ package. You may need to log into the forums to download them, but they’ll help you get ready for release on March 16.

The German developer also provided a single new image of the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, showing the modeling of the stitching on the seats. That’s certainly great attention to detail.

The latest looter shooter puts the loot first

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