January 2021

Fortnite’s maker has a new map, with about a million square feet of space

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Sky: Children of the Light is kicking off 2021 with a new expansion, the Season of Dreams. The substantial update adds a new story, two additional areas, and host of other goodies to Thatgamecompany’s social platformer. 

Season of Dreams weaves the tale of a young ice skater whose goal is to perform for the kingdom’s coliseum. To realize that dream, players will train under four retired mentors who put players through performance-based trials to sharpen their skills on the ice. Two new venues, the Valley of Dreams and Hermit’s Valley, will host skaters-in-training in the Valley of Triumphs realm. 

Season of Dreams also adds four new expressions (Showdance, Peek, Spin Trick, and Bear Hug), Tier 2 heart capes, four new masks/capes, a new hairstyle, and two pieces of headgear and pants. Players also receive a new musical instrument, two music sheets, and a season pendant. Furthermore, there are new memories with Valley of Triumph spirits Backflipping Champion, Bowing Medalist, and Proud Victor. 

The Xbox Game Pass is a stellar subscription service that Microsoft offers that allows players instant access to many different games for no additional charge as well as day one access for first-party titles. As the digital library continues to grow, it looks like more Ubisoft titles could be on the way for Game Pass members, at least according to a new rumor that states that Ubisoft Play is joining the Microsoft service. 

The Ubisoft-branded subscription service currently gives players access to a wide variety of the studio's library at no additional cost outside of the monthly fee. It's very similar to that of the Xbox Game Pass and with the inclusion of EA Play for Game Pass Ultimate, it looks like the Ubi-focused service could be the latest to be added into the Microsoft bundle. 

The rumors originated with Twitter user @IdleSloth84 from Xbox Worlds that alleges the Ubisoft Plus merge into the Xbox Game Pass offer alongside a plethora of other rumors including a possible Sega Microsoft acquisition, Live Gold being dropped in favor of Game Pass with two free games each month no longer being reliant on a service, and much more: 

Top 10 Biggest Rumors About Xbox

Source:https://t.co/MpGt2H02bY pic.twitter.com/IMuRzo5Iiy

This cross-continental romp is out in October

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Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez deliver Marvel’s first earworms

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Poor Franklin

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Vtubing comes to the most popular PC platform

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Nintendo's totes-adorbs lifestyle sim Animal Crossing: New Horizons has returned to the top of the UK Charts, beginning 2021 as the biggest selling physical title for the year's opening week. No doubt a result of a new army of post-holiday Nintendo Switch owners.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the UK's second highest-selling physical release of 2020, just behind Electronic Arts' football simulator FIFA 21, which is renowned for its persistent staying power as far as British retail is concerned. The remainder of the Top Ten is rounded out with steady sales from Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and further Nintendo releases including Minecraft, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

[Update: Capcom has since confirmed that the event will be held on January 7 at 6AM PT. A Twitch stream link was provided.]

[Update 2: Capcom has revealed that the demo will be out on January 8, and will showcase "Wyvern Riding, more monsters, and a new area." The full "video event" can be viewed here or below.]

As I mentioned recently, Monster Hunter Rise is quietly climbing to the top of a lot of people's "most anticipated" lists.

The uniform platform (which will make it super easy to jump in knowing that everyone can play it on a highly proliferated system and be part of the same playerbase) is a big draw, as are the new innovations like enhanced traversal (one of the most rote aspects of the series, traditionally). While Rise is officially due to release in March, the game's Twitter account gave us some new juicy info that's applicable right now.

Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto and director Yasunori Ichinose provided a very quick presentation in video form, explaining that they plan on sharing "brand new information" this month and are still going "full speed" in terms of development.

As a reminder, Nintendo has already teased a demo for the game that will hit in January. It stands to reason that we could get another dual Monster Hunter Rise/Stories 2 video (even a Direct, like before); which will announce the demo's release date.

"Can you imagine a world without cabbage, tomatoes, or even carrots?" reads a press release from Natsume, having not fully understood the state of post-Brexit Britain. Regardless, I'll at least be able to remember such rare delicacies via video games such as Harvest Moon: One World, which launches in the west on PS4 and Nintendo Switch this March.

Not only that, but it seems that the publisher has suggested the farmin' 'n' lovin' sim might also be heading to Microsoft platforms, as a recent New Year's message from Natsume CEO Hiro Maekawa contained the announcement that Harvest Moon: One World will indeed be hitting Xbox One in the west, despite no such port being previously announced.

"Harvest Moon: One World is the biggest Harvest Moon game in its history having wide areas and exciting villages to explore while experiencing a farming life," said Maekawa in the end-of-year post. "Harvest Moon: One World will also be available for the Xbox One in the U.S., with a release date announcement in the near future."

So it seems that whatever is your console of choice, you will be afforded the opportunity to plant crops, rear cattle, mend fences, fish, trot off to market, and woo villagers, which will surely afford me the modest lifestyle that the government so begrudge me from enjoying.

Harvest Moon: One World launches in North America on PS4 and Nintendo Switch March 2, with Europe to follow a few days later on March 5. A release date for the Xbox One edition will be announced soon.

Harvest Moon: One World adds Xbox One version [Gematsu]

I kind of can't believe that Danganronpa is still around: but I'm loving every second of it. That is not an indictment of any kind!

Originally born in 2010, Danganronpa could have ended up meeting the same fate as a lot of beloved, but ultimately niche, games. Instead it's spawned multiple sequels and spinoffs, as well as manga and anime adaptations. Spike Chunsoft has pivoted it as a major jewel in their crown: and they have a long respectable history of pumping out games. 2021 is poised to be another year of Danganronpa goodness.

Speaking to Famitsu, Spike Chunsoft laid out their 2021 plans in the form of a New Year's card, which also doubles as a vow of sorts. After briefly mentioning that "much of [their 10th anniversary plans] did not materialize," they go on to say that "the 10th anniversary continues [through] the 11th anniversary."

The publisher notes that they are "preparing plans for this year [2021] as well," and to "please look forward to announcements." Seems pretty clear to me! The state of the world in 2020 influenced how much Spike Chunsoft could extend itself, and had to reign a lot of their previous plans in logistically.

In 2021, some of those efforts will spill over. This series is still kicking!

Developer New Year's Cards [Famitsu via Gematsu]

A new year has arrived, which mostly means that life will continue finding a way in a similar fashion to the year before. That includes the weekly free Epic Games Store offerings where you can currently find dino park maker Jurassic World Evolution free until Thursday. It’s not the best dino game or the best Frontier Developments game either, honestly, but it sure does have big, stompy dinos to play with if that’s your lane.

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Over the hols I started watching Sweet Home, a new Korean horror series on Netflix about an apartment block’s residents trapped inside while people mysteriously mutate into monsters. Seems pretty fun so far. Has some awful monsters, and definitely a character or two I like. AND THEN every time our heroes fight back, I fall about dying, just dying, positively dying, screaming with death, absolutely riddled with death, because the piece of music behind big action scenes is Warriors, the 2014 League Of Legends World Championship anthem by Imagine Dragons. DON’T TURN AWAY.

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On this day in history, January 4th, 2001, RuneScape was born. Yes, yes, starting off 2021 feeling old now, aren’t we? The developers at Jagex have a big old bash planned to mark the game’s 20th birthday with an entire year of celebration, questing, and nostalgia. If you were trotting around Gielinor in your browser of choice all the way back at the beginning of the millenium, you may barely recognise the world this celebration takes place in.

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Immortals Fenyx Rising, Ubisoft’s latest open-world game set in mythological Ancient Greece, is pretty damn good. It’s even better if you shake up the standard control scheme.

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After the year we’ve all had, it feels like courting disaster to pin any hopes on a wide release that wasn’t manufactured by Pfizer or Moderna. Looking back at what The A.V. Club published when we were still looking forward to 2020, we could’ve just republished some of it wholesale. But credit where it’s due: All but…

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Cyberpunk 2077 (PC) | $25 | Eneba | Use code CPUNKMARCH

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Orders will open for PS2-inspired PS5s this week, though only 304 will be made. There will also be custom Dualsense controllers.

The post 304 PS2-Inspired PS5s Will Be Made by SUP3R5 appeared first on Siliconera.

This year's artwork features a mythical beast known for its intelligence and ability to ward off disease.

The post Here’s Vanillaware’s 2021 New Year Artwork by George Kamitani appeared first on Siliconera.

Udon's giving people a chance to start off 2021 with new Darkstalkers items featuring Lucky Felicia, a Maneki-neko version of the heroine.

The post Udon Kicks Off 2021 With Darkstalkers Lucky Felicia Items appeared first on Siliconera.

Main games soundtracks: - Persona 5 OST - P4 & Golden OST - P3 & FES OST - P2 Sound Collections

Today Sega announced another AC Scratch collection for the western servers of its popular MMORPG Phantasy Star Online 2.

While we’re already well past the New Year, the theme of the new collection named “Elegant Beginnings” focuses pretty much on that, with colorful outfits, accessories, and more.

It’ll be available starting on Jan. 5 and it’ll remain online all the way to Feb. 3.

You can check out a trailer below.

Phantasy Star Online 2 is available in the west for Xbox One and PC. A few months ago, we heard that the western version enjoyed a “strong start” and that it passed one million players.

In the meanwhile, Sega recently announced Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis, which will basically be a new game operated in parallel with the original Phantasy Star Online 2.

If you’re into anime and mecha, tabletop game publisher LionWing came bearing news today via press release.

The publisher announced that it intends to localize the popular Japanese tabletop game Embryo Machine by Cosaic.

The localization will be funded via Kickstater, with a campaign that will start in February 2021.

If you’re unfamiliar with the game, it supports from two to six players and it’s played on a modular board with the aid of a dedicated deck of cards.

You can see a few images of the mecha and the localization below, alongside an official description.

Epic Games is set to turn a 980,000 square-foot mall in North Carolina into its global headquarters by 2024. First reported by bizjournals, the publisher has reportedly spent $95 million on the deal with Turnbridge Equities and Denali Properties.

The mall itself, called Cary Towne Center, has long been struggling, with Turnbridge Equities announcing a plan only three months ag to redesign the space into a mix of office, retail and residential spaces. Understandably, local residents in the area apparently have mixed feelings about losing such a community-focused plan to what will essentially be an enormous office complex.

Still, while Epic Games’ new HQ is still in the very early stages of planning, there are apparently plans to include recreational spaces of benefit to the community.

“We plan to commence development of our new headquarters this year with the goal of converting the property into our new campus by 2024,” a spokesperson told bizjournals.

A press release includes a statement from Jason Davis, managing director at Turnbridge Equities, also suggests something similar:

“Epic shares our vision for transforming Cary Towne Center into a vibrant community space. This sale is further validation of our value-driven investment strategy, and the property could not be placed in better hands. After years of shifting development plans for the center, we are thrilled the space will be utilized to its full potential and turned into something the Town and community of Cary can be proud of.”

A few days ago, Sim-Wings and Aerosoft released Munich Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator, and today they showcased it in a new trailer.

The trailer provides a view of the airport that is certainly more scenic compared to the colder (but certainly rather enthusiastic) look you saw in our review of the add-on.

You can check it out below and see Germany’s second-busiest airport in action.

Publisher THQ Nordic has today announced that its successful remake SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated is coming to iOS and Android as a premium title later this month, Jan. 21, priced at $9.99.

The game is already available now for pre-order on the Apple AppStore and pre-register on Google Play.

The port is to feature revamped touch-screen controls, though it also offers gamepad support for those who prefer a more tactile experience.

You can see a sample of the touch controls overlaid atop a typical gameplay sequence below.

Persona continues to be one of the most beloved and revolutionary JRPG franchises because of its anime-inspired aesthetic and life-sim/dungeon-crawler/visual novel gameplay mix. More importantly, however, The Persona series is host to an extensive history of stellar songs. While Persona 5's Tokyo was inundated in jazz and funk, older Persona entries were sonically influenced by J-pop and rap. According to AniPlaylist, a Twitter account that covers the distribution of anime-music on Spotify, some popular Persona soundtracks will be made available for streaming.

At midnight, on January 5th...

🌎 Persona [Original Soundtracks & more] will be available on @Spotify ❤️

🎭 Playlist with all albums: https://t.co/lwIU3If6Gk pic.twitter.com/N4YyBvoDuo

It's your last chance to claim a free PS5 copy of Bugsnax. After January 4 – that's today! – you'll no longer be able to redeem the game at no extra cost with your PlayStation Plus membership. To find it, head over to the web store or use the app and grab the PS5 version (not the "PS4 & PS5" bundle).

While only the PS5 edition is up for grabs, you can claim it prior to owning the console, so if you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription, there's no reason not to. Tomorrow's deadline is for redemption purposes only – you'll be able to download and play Bugsnax as long as you have a PS Plus account.

We don't always do PSAs like this, but since the promo has been up for a couple of months (longer than the usual PS Plus giveaways), I figured it was worth doing one final shout. Also, I dig this game!

Young Horses' jovial-until-it-isn't creature-collecting adventure garnered a lot of jokes, but beneath that silly surface, I found a genuinely fun game. Not that there was much competition at launch, but Bugsnax was one of the first PS5 games I platinumed – I had that much fun figuring out how to trap every critter. The characters are fleshed out, the gameplay and puzzles are just complicated enough, and there's also some nice DualSense feedback implementation. In other words, it's a good early pickup.

Hades has taken a lot of the gaming community by storm: including our own Game of the Year awards!

Supergiant Games managed to slowly craft, through a carefully curated early access period, their most arguably successful project yet. So much so, that folks are really taking to the lore and the mechanics in a big way. That laundry list includes Redditor canhazreddit, who crafted their own arcade cabinet.

Its creator notes that the arcade itself is just a "giant wood computer case," and it runs off of an i5 Nvidia 1060 backbone. The left stick is an Ultrastik 360 (which they call "nice and clicky"), and a keyboard with a trackpad is on the top of the machine. There's also a subwoofer in there, and the artwork is obtained via high quality PNGs, with prints from Game on Grafix for the vinyl and the marquee at the top.

Being a software developer also helped, canhazreddit says, but they also note that the power supply unit and the subwoofer make the cabinet extremely heavy and a "tipping hazard" (which needs to be tethered to the wall, or reworked with a bigger base). Important things to know if you're planning on rigging up your own cabinet one day for your game(s) of choice!

Hades arcade build [Reddit]

In case you missed it, one of 2020's few solaces involved the pairing of the "Doom Guy/Slayer" with Animal Crossing's Isabelle.

Born out of a simple connection (the same release date for Doom Eternal and New Horizons), the fan community took it and ran, creating various bits of art involving the two (perhaps the most famous of which was this video). The crossover actually started in 2019 (when the dates were announced and the connection was made), but stayed strong throughout the launch of both games.

Far from a meme at this point the collaborations never really died, as folks searched 2020 for any sort of greater meaning and joy. Thankfully, at the end of the year, a brand didn't kill it. Bethesda lightly acknowledged it in the best way possible without beating a dead horse: but tweeting a wholesome image of the duo holding hands in Nendoroid figure form.

The Doom Twitter account has been lightly poking at the situation for a while, but this is the most obvious tweet thus far.

Doom [Twitter]

thatgamecompany's Eileen Hollinger and Tim Nixon sat down with Gamasutra to explain how the studio's visual storytelling style plays out in Sky and how it molds meaningful multiplayer moments. ...

Overwatch (PC) | $9 | Eneba | Use code OVERWATCH9

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2020 was a bad year for most of us, but a surprisingly good year for video games. As we enter 2021 with the hope offered by the vaccines, and the light at the end of the tunnel just about visible, it might soon be possible to allow hope back in. Unless, it seems, video games are your guide.

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It’s Monday and time for Ask Kotaku, the weekly feature in which Kotaku-ites deliberate on a single burning question. Then, we ask your take.

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If you’ve ever stared at one of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s random villagers and thought, “Hey, that looks like a Mii,” it could be because the two might be related.

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Gather round the fire, possemates, the votes for the yearly Steam Awards are in and you lot have decided that Rockstar’s cowboy adventure Red Dead Redemption 2 was the game of the year in 2020. Come have a look-see to find out if anything you voted for during the awards wound up lassoing itself a win.

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Jarod Nandin, a member of the Blizzard fan community known for his South Park World of Warcraft cosplay, has died.

BlizzCon host Michele Morrow, who met Nandin in 2013, shared the news on Twitter Sunday afternoon, adding that Nandin had died due to COVID-19.

“Today the @warcraft and greater @blizzard community lost one of it’s sweetest souls to Covid-19. I met Jarod in 2013 when I asked to take a photo with him and stupidly grabbed -and broke- the Rockstar energy drink glued to his desk.  I was mortified and Jarod couldn’t stop laughing. I felt awful but he gave me a hug and we became friends. In 2014, my first year hosting the convention, we met up and recreated the moment we first met. Jarod had a fantastic sense of humor and was an advocate for cosplayers, body acceptance and positivity. I always enjoyed seeing him online and at conventions throughout the years….Jarod was one of the fucking best. It’s not fair. Rest In Peace Jarod, you beautiful soul. Blizzcon won’t be the same without YOU. Thank you for making an impact on my life and so many others. Tonight we raise our thumb drives of “The Sword of a Thousand Truths” in your honor. We will never forget you.”

Nandin rose to viral fame for his 2013 cosplay of “That Which Has No Life,” the unkempt antagonist of South Park’s World of Warcraft episode “Make Love, Not Warcraft.” Members of the Blizzard community are mourning Nandin by posting photos of them holding up their "Sword of a Thousand Truths," a reference to the same South Park episode.

Blizzcon 2013 - Jarod’s famous cosplay moment. It’s impossible not to watch this without smiling: pic.twitter.com/OOXIA07y38

The MCU Is Back With a Vengeance