Game Informer

Granblue Fantasy: Relink Review - The Borders Of The Skies

1 month 3 weeks ago

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
Publisher: Cygames
Developer: Cygames
Release:
Rating: Teen

The thrill of adventure in a boundless playground tickles the imagination, something intimately familiar to players of Granblue Fantasy, a mobile/browser-based title that has been a hit internationally for over a decade. The original title resembles 16-bit turn-based RPGs like the Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest games of old, leaving daydreams of grander scale and exploits a hopeful wish rather than an inevitable reality. With Granblue Fantasy: Relink, developer CyGames has an opportunity to explore a fantasy world of open skies and magic while pulling the game from a comparatively modest mobile title into a full-blown 3D action game. While not completely successful, Granblue Fantasy: Relink should be lauded for getting most of the way to being a memorable title, but it needed a little more ambition and unique content to reach that goal.

Author
Imran Khan

Destiny 2 Game Director Joe Blackburn Departing From Bungie Next Month

1 month 4 weeks ago

Destiny 2 The Final Shape Game Director Joe Blackburn Leaving Bungie Departing

Destiny 2 game director Joe Blackburn will leave Bungie next month. He announced this news on X (formerly Twitter) in a thread about a studio ritual called the "End-to-End playtest." In this same thread, Blackburn revealed that longtime Bungie developer Tyson Green will become the new Destiny 2 game director. 

"This ritual will be especially meaningful to me personally, as it will also serve as a moment to pass the torch of Destiny 2 game director to the next era of leadership as I head on a new adventure outside the walls of Bungie," Blackburn writes on X. "As we hit End-to-End next month, Tyson Green will take the reins as Destiny 2 game director. If you've followed Bungie for any length of time, you've heard his name. From Halo PvP to the creation of exotic weapons in Destiny 1, Tyson has been a critical part of Bungie's legacy since Myth II."

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Update: Rocksteady Gifts Suicide Squad Deluxe Edition Players $20 Of In-Game Currency Following Launch Issues

1 month 4 weeks ago

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League Bug Story Completion Deluxe Edition Early Access Offline

Update, 1/31/24:

Developer Rocksteady Studios' new live-service multiplayer shooter, Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, went live for Deluxe Edition players on January 30. For those playing in regions like New Zealand, the game went live on January 29 here in the states (but it was January 30 for that region). Those first players were met with an unfortunate "story completion" bug that caused Rocksteady to take the game offline to fix. That fix took hours, leaving those who paid for the Deluxe Edition, which is $30 more than the standard edition, unable to play the game at all as Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice Leauge is an always-online game. 

To make up for that issue, Rocksteady has gifted Deluxe Edition players 2000 LuthorCoins, which is roughly $20 of in-game currency that can be used to purchase cosmetics in the in-game store, as reported by VideoGamesChronicle

"Thank you for being one of our first console players during early access of Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League," an in-game message from Rocksteady for Deluxe Edition players reads, according to VGC. "We recognize that you've been patient with us during our initial launch server updates and we'd like to show our appreciation for your patience with a special gift of 2000 LuthorCoins. Thank you again!" 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

The Truth Behind Apex Legends’ Revenant Rework

1 month 4 weeks ago
<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2024/01/26/a349e79d/unnamed_55a21d92-a440-494c-9b80-fc9db3b5366b.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="apex legends revenant rework" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p><a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/opinion/2022/05/30/apex-legends-is-still-the-best-battle-royale-and-its-not-even-close">Apex Legends,</a>&nbsp;like all live-service titles, is no stranger to balancing updates. Weapons and playable characters alike undergo acute surges and declines based on several factors, with the most prevalent being player behavior. Years ago, Pathfinder reigned supreme across casual and competitive matches; his grapple hook-centric mobility and inconsistent hitbox made him an unrivaled duelist until his ability cooldowns and physique were tweaked. Similarly, the Prowler SMG once rivaled its light ammo counterparts before the Selectfire Receiver – a legendary hop-up that converted the weapon's burstfire to automatic – was removed from the loot pool. These changes, in addition to many others, morphed the meta in significant ways, but one particular update trumped the rest: Revenant's rework.</p> <p>The nefarious simulacrum (robots based on humans) was first introduced in <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/02/03/see-apex-legends-fourth-season-in-action">Season 4: Assimilation,&nbsp;</a>and despite capturing the fascination of lore enthusiasts and aggression-focused players, his unremarkable pick rate left a lot to be desired.
Author
Jason Guisao

Mass Effect Cosmetics Are Coming To Destiny 2

1 month 4 weeks ago

Fans of the Mass Effect series have been clamoring for new content for years, and today, they finally got some good news – assuming they're fans of Destiny 2, that is. In a post on X, Bungie announced that Mass Effect cosmetics would be coming to their online shooter on February 13, just two weeks from now.

As mentioned in the X post above, the Alliance Requisition Bundle includes armor sets based on Garrus, Liara, and the protagonist, Commander Shepard. In addition to the bundle, which players will presumably have to purchase, three items will be available for free – the Enhanced Defense Ghost Shell, Alliance Scout Frigate Ship, and Alliance Drop Ship Sparrow.

Author
Charles Harte

Cover Reveal – Apex Legends

1 month 4 weeks ago

Apex Legends is a game that has been growing and changing in continually exciting ways since its surprise launch in 2019.  Featuring a fully released game on our cover is atypical for Game Informer, but Apex Legends continues to enamor players daily, which is why we jumped at the opportunity to visit Respawn's studio in Vancouver, Canada to dive deep into the game's history, and look ahead to what's coming next for the game on the horizon. As it readies to celebrate its five-year anniversary, Apex Legends is prepared to initiate some of its biggest changes yet, and we got a chance to speak with the team and play with its new modes and more.

To pull off this cover story, we decided to send in an expert: Jason Guisao. Jason is a former intern-turned-editor here at Game Informer, who also spent time at Bungie as a franchise editor, and is a devoted Apex Legends fan who has even played the game competitively at a Top 500 level. Jason, alongside video producer Alex Van Aken (a competitive Apex player and fan in his own right), visited Respawn in Vancouver to chat with the team, discuss its history, and go hands-on with what is changing for the game.

Author
Kyle Hilliard

Former Volition Developers Form New Studio, Shapeshifter Games

1 month 4 weeks ago

Embracer Group shut down longtime Saints Row developer Volition Games last year as part of a larger purge of its studios after a planned $2 billion deal with Saudi Arabia-backed Savvy Games Group fell through in 2023. Just yesterday, Embracer Group canceled a Deus Ex game in development at Eidos-Montréal and laid off 97 people at the studio. Now, a group of former Volition Games veteran developers have formed a new studio called Shapeshifter Games, as first reported by TechRaptor

"Shapeshifter is a new co-development studio that was started by pulling together a group of experienced developers from Volition," a post on the studio's LinkedIn page reads. "We are focused on AAA game development. One of the goals of the company is to create a more sustainable environment for developers to do their best work. 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Super Nintendo World Comes To Florida In Universal's New 'Epic Universe' Theme Park Next Year

1 month 4 weeks ago

Super Nintendo World Universal Epic Universe Orlando Florida Mario

Universal opened Super Nintendo World, the first Nintendo/Mario-themed theme park, in Universal Studios Japan in Osaka in 2021. The first Super Nintendo World in the U.S. opened at Universal Studios Hollywood last year in California, with word that a Super Nintendo World was in development at Universal's Orlando, Florida, complex, which contains Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and the water park, Volcano Bay.

Today, Nintendo announced that Super Nintendo World will open next year as part of Epic Universe, Universal's third non-water theme park in Orlando. 

Universal says Epic Universe will contain five immersive worlds, and one of them is Super Nintendo World. The other four parks are Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon's Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. The How to Train Your Dragon, Super Nintendo World, and Harry Potter lands are self-explanatory, but Celestial Park will be a celestial-themed entrance area to Epic Universe and Dark Universe will be themed around Universal's classic monsters, like Frankenstein and more.

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Mario Vs. Donkey Kong Preview - Return Of The Kong

1 month 4 weeks ago

Platform: Switch
Release:

Even though Mario is now known as the most iconic face in gaming, in his first appearance, 1981's Donkey Kong, he couldn't even get his name in the title. That was corrected in 2004 with the release of Mario vs. Donkey Kong, a side-scrolling puzzle game designed to carry on the legacy of the classic arcade cabinet. Twenty years later, that outing has been reimagined for the Nintendo Switch, and Mario's rivalry with Donkey Kong – as well as the gameplay – holds up surprisingly well.

Author
Charles Harte

Celeste 64: Fragments Of The Mountain Is A Free 3D Platformer Celebrating The Game's 6th Anniversary

1 month 4 weeks ago

Celeste 64 Fragments of the Mountain Maddy Makes Games Free Anniversary Itchio

Developer Maddy Makes Games released Celeste six years ago, on January 25, 2018, and it quickly became a hit, thanks to excellent platforming, top-tier music, and a fantastic story – you can read Game Informer's Celeste review here to find out why we gave it a 9 out of 10. Now, to celebrate the game's sixth anniversary, Maddy Makes Games has released Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain, a 3D platformer you can download for free on Itch.io

"Relive the magic of Celeste Mountain alongside Madeline in this small heartfelt 3D plaftormer," the game's description reads. "Created in a week(ish) by the Celeste team to celebrate the game's sixth anniversary." 

Celeste 64 Fragments of the Mountain Maddy Makes Games Free Anniversary Itchio

Celeste 64 is available for Windows and Linux. We haven't yet played it, but we're looking forward to because if it's anything like the original Celeste, it's sure to be a treat. 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Persona 3 Reload Review - Into The Light

1 month 4 weeks ago

Persona 3 Reload

Reviewed on: Xbox Series X/S
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Publisher: Atlus
Developer: Atlus
Release:
Rating: Mature

Persona 3 is perhaps the most important entry in the Shin Megami Tensei spin-off franchise. By establishing several series mainstays, including the popular Social Links system, Persona 3 laid the foundation upon which the next two mainline entries would be built. Unfortunately, by today’s standards, that 18-year-old title is unapproachable in many ways. Persona 3 Reload remedies that, bringing forward the outstanding cast, story, and turn-based battles in a faithful remake with the modern amenities of Persona 5 Royal. While it is a massive success, some persistent outdated elements from the original prevent Reload from reaching the heights of other modern games in the series.

Author
Brian Shea

WWE 2K24 Cover Star Cody Rhodes Shares Zelda Opinions And His Most Anticipated Games Of 2024

1 month 4 weeks ago

This past weekend, I traveled to Tampa/St. Peterburg, FL, to attend WWE’s Royal Rumble and to play WWE 2K24 at a special preview event. You can look for my hands-on impressions and video footage of my gameplay on Thursday, February 1. But while I was there, I had the chance to chat with one of 2K24’s cover stars and the winner of the 2024 Men's Royal Rumble match, Cody Rhodes.

The “American Nightmare” is a lifelong gamer and professed Zelda fanatic (fun fact: during his early WWE run in ‘07-’08, his wrestling boots sported the Triforce logo). So I decided to forgo any wrestling questions and spent the few precious minutes I had with Cody getting his take on Tears of the Kingdom, how Majora’s Mask stacks up compared to his favorite Zelda game, Ocarina of Time and asked what game he’s most looking forward to playing in 2024. 

Game Informer: I know you're a big Zelda fan, so I gotta ask: did you play Tears of the Kingdom, and if so, what do you think? 

Author
Marcus Stewart

Blizzard's New President Is Johanna Faries, A Former Call Of Duty Franchise Manager

1 month 4 weeks ago

Activision Blizzard New president Johanna Faries Mike Ybarra Departure

Blizzard Entertainment has selected Johanna Faries as its new president following Mike Ybarra's departure from the studio last week alongside news that Microsoft was laying off 1,900 employees across its Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and ZeniMax teams. Faries worked for the National Football League for 12 years before working at Activision starting in 2018, as reported by Bloomberg. She started as the head of Call of Duty esports before eventually working as a Call of Duty franchise manager at the company Microsoft acquired last year for $69 billion

johanna faries new blizzard entertainment president microsoft activision

In Faries' introductory email to Blizzard employees today, she addressed the layoffs that occurred at the company last week. 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Embracer Group Cancels New Deus Ex Game In Development At Eidos-Montréal, Lays Off 97 Employees

1 month 4 weeks ago

eidos montreal layoffs job cuts employees new deus ex game canceled development

Embracer Group has canceled a new Deus Ex game in development at Eidos-Montréal, according to a new Bloomberg report. Alongside this cancelation, Eidos-Montréal, which is the studio behind 2021's Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and both Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, has revealed it is laying off 97 employees. 

Bloomberg reports that Eidos-Montréal had been working on this new unannounced Deus Ex game for two years, and it was set to enter production later this year, according to sources familiar with the studio. It seems the studio's canceled game and subsequent layoffs are another casualty of Embracer, which has been purging studios after a planned $2 billion deal with Saudi Arabia-backed Savvy Games Group fell through last year. 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Paldean Fates | The Coolest Cards We Pulled

1 month 4 weeks ago

The latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion in the Scarlet & Violet series is Paldean Fates, which brings new Shinies into the mix, plus various type-shifted Tera Pokémon and new special-illustration cards. Unfortunately, you can't buy these booster packs individually; instead, you must purchase special collections like the Elite Trainer Box or the Tech Sticker Collection. 

Author
Brian Shea

The First PlayStation State of Play of 2024 Is This Wednesday

1 month 4 weeks ago

Between Tekken 8, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and the impending release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, 2024 is off to an explosive start, but the rest of the year is still up in the air. Luckily for PlayStation fans, Sony is pulling the curtain back on some games coming soon to its platforms this Wednesday, January 31, at 2 P.M. Pacific/5 P.M. Eastern. Check out the X announcement below.

Author
Charles Harte

New Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero Trailer Reveals 24 New Fighters, And They're All Goku And Vegeta

1 month 4 weeks ago

dragon ball z sparking zero new gameplay trailer roster fighting goku vegeta

Publisher Bandai Namco and developer Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd. have revealed 24 fighters for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, and they're all Goku and Vegeta. Unsurprisingly, considering Goku and Vegeta are the two main characters in the Dragon Ball Z saga (amongst others like Gohan, for example), Spike Chunsoft is giving players the chance to fight using their various forms. This includes Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan 2, Majin Vegeta, and more. 

Bandai Namco first revealed Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero at The Game Awards 2023 back in December, which is where it was confirmed that, despite the different name, this fighting game is the next Budokai Tenkaichi game in the storied series. We got our first glimpse of gameplay and Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero's flashy fights, but little else beyond that it's coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Now, thanks to this new trailer, we know of 24 new fighters, with a tease at a massive roster still to be revealed. 

Check out the new Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero trailer for yourself below

As you can see in the trailer above, there are plenty of Goku and Vegeta forms to fight as in the game. Here's the full list of fighters revealed: 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time | Replay

2 months ago

This week on Replay, in honor of the recently released Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, we decided to go back and take a look at Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. This entry in the series is from far from the first Prince of Persia game, but it represented a reboot of sorts and has become the game most identified with the franchise. It also is undeniably important to what would eventually become Assassin's Creed.

Join superfan Kyle Hilliard and Prince of Persia newcomer Wesley LeBlanc for a look at the 2003 classic. This isn't the first time we've revisited Ubisoft's classic platformer. You can watch our original Replay episode on Sands of Time from 2015 here.

Author
Kyle Hilliard

Top 10 RPGs To Play Right Now

2 months ago

If you’re playing an RPG, you’re in it for the long haul and want an experience that’s going to immerse you and keep you entertained the whole way through. A genre that is both familiar and constantly evolving, RPGs are often tasked with having the total package. The best ones contain all the key ingredients, masterfully combining exciting combat, memorable characters, larger-than-life bosses, and a gripping storyline. 

If you’re looking for RPGs that excel in those aspects, look no further than this list. The following games all share common elements but carve out their own unique path in the genre and promise a narrative-focused adventure full of thrilling encounters around every bend. Listed in reverse chronological release order, here are 10 stellar modern RPGs worth the time and effort. This is an evolving list that we'll periodically update with exceptional titles as they release. 

Author
Game Informer Editorial

Blizzard's Survival Game Reportedly Canceled Over Engine Issues After 6 Years Of Development

2 months ago

activision blizzard entertainment canceled survival game odyssey matt booty mike ybarra

Blizzard Entertainment's survival game, which it informally announced in 2022, was reportedly canceled over engine issues during its six years of development, according to a new Bloomberg report. This report follows yesterday's news that Microsoft is laying off 1,900 employees across its Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and ZeniMax divisions. Alongside this news, Blizzard president Mike Ybarra also announced he was departing from the company, and we learned the aforementioned survival game had been canceled. 

However, Blizzard didn't really touch on why the game it had just announced exactly two years prior was canceled. Bloomberg's new report details development struggles around the game's engine, which was prototyped using Epic Games' Unreal Engine before "Blizzard executives decided to switch, in part, because it wouldn't support their ambitions for vast maps supporting up to 100 players at once."

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Tekken 8 Review, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Impressions, Palworld Discourse | GI Show

2 months ago

The Game Informer Show Tekken 8 Review Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Palworld

In this week's episode of The Game Informer Show, the crew unpacks our Tekken 8 review to discuss what's great and what's less great about the latest King of Iron Fist tournament. We also share our early game impressions of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. And lastly, we'll take a deep dive into Palworld's meteoric rise and success, as well as the discourse and controversy surrounding it. Of course, it wouldn't be an episode without answering a few questions from our listeners!

Follow us on social media: Marcus Stewart (@MarcusStewart7), Kyle Hilliard (@KyleMHilliard), Wesley LeBlanc (@LeBlancWes)

Author
Marcus Stewart

Spoiler-Free Hawaii Exploration In Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth | Game Informer Live

2 months ago

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth release tomorrow, and ahead of the launch, Marcus Stewart and I decided to cause some trouble in the streets of Hawaii. Check out the archive of our stream below where we chat about the series, whether or not this is a good place to jump in, and just generally talk about what makes the game cool without spoiling any story elements. It's just some good old fashion beating up random people on the streets in Ichiban and pals.

You can read Game Informer's Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth review by following the link, and learn why the game feels like an RPG for grown-ups in unexpected ways.

Head over to Game Informer's YouTube channel for more previews, reviews, and discussions of new and upcoming games. You can also visit our second channel Game Informer Shows for more archived livestreams and series such as Super Replay and Game Informer Live. 

Author
Kyle Hilliard

Solving Over 10,000 Puzzles In Islands of Insight | New Gameplay Today

2 months ago

Islands of Insight hands-on preview

In this episode of New Gameplay Today, editors Marcus Stewart and Kyle Hilliard explore the opening section of an early in-development build of Islands of Insight. The open-world game tasks players with solving over 10,000 puzzles spread across multiple islands. It's also a shared world, with dozens of other players exploring that can assist you in this sublime puzzle adventure. You can read more about Islands of Insight by reading our preview from last year's Summer Games Fest. 

Head over to Game Informer's YouTube channel for more previews, reviews, and discussions of new and upcoming games. Watch other episodes of New Gameplay Today right here.

Author
Marcus Stewart

A Hands-On Look At Skull And Bones' Season 1 Endgame Content

2 months ago
<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2024/01/24/4e33cea0/ngt_skullandbones_s1bosses_yt.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="skull and bones new gameplay today preview endgame season 1 " typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p>I've been tracking developer Ubisoft Singapore's naval warfare multiplayer game, <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/product/skull-and-bones">Skull and Bones</a>, since its reveal years ago, both as a massive fan of all things pirates and someone who specifically loved the high seas action of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. I wrote <em>Game Informer's </em>Skull and Bones cover story back in 2022, and have played the game several times since then in previews, betas, and more. </p> <p>Despite what various delays had me believing, Skull and Bones is actually shaping up to be, at the very least, a fun and competent experience. Because I've played so many of its disparate parts rather than the whole, I believe there's something really good in the game.
Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Destroy All Humans Remake Developer Black Forest Games Reportedly Lays Off 50 Employees

2 months ago
<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2024/01/25/da5d2667/black_forest_games_logo.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="destroy all humans black forest games layoffs job cuts employees" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p>Black Forest Games, the studio behind the recent <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/review/destroy-all-humans/destroy-all-humans-review-an-obsolete-invasion">Destroy All Humans!</a> 1 and 2 remakes, has reportedly laid off about 50 people. This news comes from&nbsp;<a href="https://kotaku.com/game-industry-layoffs-how-many-2024-unity-twitch-1851155818"><em>Kotaku</em></a>, which learned from a source with knowledge of the situation that these layoffs were announced yesterday, January 24, and that more information about them would be provided next week.&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Game Informer&nbsp;</em>has reached out to Black Forest Games and will update this story if it learns more.&nbsp;</p> <iframe width="560" height="315" frameBorder="0" allow="autoplay" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0blRcUrAXZo" width="640"></iframe> <p><em>Kotaku&nbsp;</em>writes that its source says creative directors and most, "if not all," of the managers at Black Forest Games will keep their jobs following the layoffs.
Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition Comes To PC This March

2 months ago

PlayStation console exclusivity used to be a permanent status for a first-party game to have, but in recent years, Sony has been sending its most popular first-party titles to PC as well. Today, we learned about the most recent instance of this – Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition is coming to PC on March 21. The news comes via the PlayStation Blog, where they revealed that both the base game and its 2023 expansion, Burning Shores, will come to the new platform as a package deal. 

Bringing the game to PC allows more people to play it, but it also allows people to take the experience to a new level with a powerful PC. Here's what the blog post has to say about the PC specs.

Author
Charles Harte

Grounded II, The Making-Of Documentary For The Last Of Us Part II, Will Be Released Next Week

2 months ago

the last of us part ii 2 remastered grounded making of documentary release date

Earlier this month, developer Naughty Dog announced Grounded II: Making The Last of Us Part II would be coming to its recent release, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, in a post-launch update for the game. Now, we know exactly when this behind-the-scenes documentary will be live: February 2. 

Grounded II will be added to The Last of Us Part II Remastered in a free update for the game on February 2, but you can also watch the documentary on YouTube the same day. The documentary and associated game update will both go live at 9 a.m. PT/Noon ET. 

If you haven't yet, check out the Grounded II: Making The Last of Us Part II trailer below

As you can see, Grounded II promises to dive into various behind-the-scenes aspects of Naughty Dog's latest and arguably most controversial game. The trailer touches on studio crunch, leaks, and more. 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

New Internal Memo From Microsoft Studios President Addresses Today's Layoffs, Blizzard's Canceled Survival Game, And More

2 months ago

xbox microsoft zenimax activision layoffs 1900 job cuts employees people

Update, 2:50 p.m. ET/ 1/25/24:

The Verge obtained the full internal memo sent to staff by Microsoft's game content and studios president, Matt Booty. In it, he says, following today's layoffs, the company is moving forward with a more focused strategy across Microsoft Gaming that sets it up for sustainable growth and a better alignment of talent. Booty also addresses Blizzard president Mike Ybarra's departure, and the cancelation of its in-development survival game project. He says Blizzard's next president will be announced next week. 

You can read the memo, in full, below

"Blizzard team, 

As you may have read in Phil's note, today is a challenging day as we say goodbye to some of our colleagues. This is a difficult process, but it is one that will best enable Blizzard and Xbox to deliver ambitious games for our players on more platforms and in more places than ever before. We are moving forward with a more focused strategy across Microsoft Gaming that sets us up for sustainable growth and aligns our talent and resources to our top priorities. 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Final Fantasy XIV Live-Action TV Series 'Dead,' Says The Production Company Behind It

2 months ago

final fantasy xiv live-action tv series canceled dead covid-19

The Final Fantasy XIV live-action television series first announced back in 2019 is "dead," according to the production company that was working on it. Hivemind, which also worked on Netflix's The Witcher, was developing the series with Sony Pictures Television, but co-founder Dinesh Shamdasani revealed on Twitter that the project is dead when asked about it, as reported by PC Gamer

"Dead," Shamdasani writes on Twitter in response to someone asking what happened with the series' production. "We took around a fantastic pilot script by Ben Lustig and Jake Thornton along with a multi-season plan they built with our showrunners, but got rejected across the board. The size and scale needed to do it right proved too much for anyone to want to risk. Amazon came closest." 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Outriders Studio People Can Fly Lays Off More Than 30 Employees

2 months ago

outriders studio developer people can fly square enix layoffs employees job cuts

People Can Fly, the developer behind 2021's surprise shooter hit Outriders, has laid off more than 30 employees. This news comes by way of Kotaku, which reports that its source with knowledge of the situation said the job cuts affected only staff working on an unannounced game at the studio, codenamed Project Gemini, that is to be published by Square Enix. 

Kotaku reached out to People Can Fly after its source sent screenshots confirming that layoffs happened at the studio, and development director Adam Alker confirmed the news. Alker cited budget limitations and a shrinking scope for Project Gemini as for why it was laying off "over 30 people." The publication notes that another 20 outside of the 30 laid off were removed from the project and moved to other projects at People Can Fly. 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

The Pokémon Company Issues Statement On Palworld Copyright Controversy

2 months ago

palworld

Earlier this evening, The Pokémon Company issued a press release seemingly addressing the recent conversation surrounding the new Steam Early Access release Palworld and its suspiciously familiar-looking collectible creatures. 

“We have received many inquiries regarding another company’s game released in January 2024,” the company states. “We have not granted any permission for the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets in that game. We intend to investigate and take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to the Pokémon.”

While The Pokémon Company doesn’t explicitly name Palworld or its developer, Pocketpair, in its statement, we presume it’s investigating the record-setting Steam title based on the specified release window and recent controversies surrounding the game’s alleged infringement of Pokémon IP. 

“We will continue to cherish and nurture each and every Pokémon and its world, and work to bring the world together through Pokémon in the future,” the company states in closing. 

Author
Alex Van Aken

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review – Passing The Torch

2 months ago

Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios
Release:
Rating: Mature

By the time I saw the credits on Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, I felt like I had been through the emotional ringer. I was mentally exhausted. I think that's by design. Infinite Wealth is developer Ryu Ga Gotoku's (RGG) most ambitious project by a long shot – an epic tale told across multiple characters and continents, featuring the conclusion of some nearly 20-year-old plot threads that leave at least one character, quite literally and relatably, asleep in the streets. Some of this is the best work the developer has ever done, a new watermark for the series going forward. And some of it is some of the studio's worst. Like everything in Infinite Wealth, it's complicated.  

Author
Blake Hester

Give Us Feedback For A Chance To Win A Game Informer Gold Copy Of The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Issue

2 months ago

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Gold Edition

For every issue of Game Informer magazine, we print a handful of Game Informer Gold editions. These versions sometimes feature alternate art, have a gold embossed logo on the front, are individually numbered and feature higher quality paper. They're very nice, and we reserve them for special occasions like charity auctions or, as is the case here, giveaways.

For the recent Final Fantasy VII Rebirth issue featuring both Cloud and Sephiroth awash in an ocean of flame, we have two Game Informer Gold editions we are prepared to send to readers. For a chance at winning one of these collectible issues, we want to hear from you about what's on your mind about gaming and Game Informer. Send a message to our Feedback for a chance to be featured in our monthly magazine letters column.

If you fill out the form below before February 12, 2024, you will be entered to win one of two Game Informer Gold copies of our Final Fantasy VII Rebirth issue. In terms of the kind of feedback we're looking for, we want thoughtful responses to our content, general thoughts on the video game industry, your criticisms of previously released or upcoming games, or anything else that will make the magazine better. We're flexible! We want to know what's on your mind, and potentially share your thoughts and questions with the rest of Game Informer's readers.

Author
Kyle Hilliard

The Legend Of Zelda, Super Mario Composer Koji Kondo To Be Inducted Into AIAS Hall Of Fame

2 months ago

The Legend of Zelda composer Koji Kondo DICE Hall of Fame

Koji Kondo, longtime composer for The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros. franchises, will be inducted into the Academy of Interactvie Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame at this year's D.I.C.E. Awards. The presentation will take place at the 27th annual D.I.C.E. Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the ceremony on Thursday, February 15, at 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET. 

"I am deeply thankful for being selected by D.I.C.E. for this important award," Kondo writes in a press release. "It is a true honor to be recognized this way, and I am extremely humbled. Thanks to the help from the many people surrounding me and the support from our customers and fans, I was fortunate enough to be involved in game music development for decades.  I am grateful for everyone who helped and supported me.

Koji Kondo Longtime Nintendo The Legend of Zelda Super Mario Bros. Composer

"I will continue my efforts in the music and sound aspects of development to hopefully make everyone's game experience even more enjoyable for years to come." 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Nier Reincarnation Shuts Down In April

2 months ago

Nier Reincarnation shutdown

Nier Reincarnation, the story-driven mobile RPG set in the popular Nier universe, will have its services ended this April. While the game will continue to receive support until then, its final story campaign will serve as its last big hurrah. 

Reincarnation first launched on July 28, 2021 for iOS and Android and takes place within an unspecified point in the Nier timeline. Like the previous titles, Reincarnation is an RPG set within a mysterious prison world called The Cage, with players controlling different protagonists divided across multiple story arcs. The game has also hosted several crossover events with games such as the remake of Nier Replicant, Final Fantasy XIV, and Persona 5.

The shutdown news came the same day as the launch of the latest chapter of its final story arc, The People And The World, dubbed Act II: The Return. Check out the trailer below.

In a shutdown notice, Square Enix states, 

Author
Marcus Stewart

The Legend Of Zelda, Splatoon Orchestra Concerts Head To YouTube Next Month

2 months ago

tears of the kingdom zelda splatoon 3 concert youtube

Nintendo has announced that it will stream full pre-recorded concerts for The Legend of Zelda series and its Splatoon franchise next month. Both concerts were set to be a part of Nintendo Live events in December of last year and this month, too, in Tokyo, Japan, but these events were canceled over safety concerns, as reported by VideoGamesChronicle. Now, everyone will be able to watch these concerts when they hit the official Nintendo YouTube channel next month. 

More specifically, The Legend of Zelda orchestra concert will go live on Friday, February 9, at 5 a.m. PT/8 a.m. ET, and the Splatoon 3 Deep Cut concert will be posted on February 10. 

Here's what Nintendo has to say about each: 

The Legend of Zelda Orchestra Concert

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Palworld's Early Access Roadmap Includes PvP, Raid Bosses, Crossplay, And More

2 months ago

Palworld future roadmap early access critical issues planned updates pokemon with guns survival game

Developer Pocketpair has shared the Early Access roadmap for its hit "Pokémon with guns" survival game, Palworld, alongside news that the game crossed 7 million copies sold in just five days. For reference, it took Marvel's Spider-Man 2, a PlayStation 5-exclusive game starring arguably the most popular superhero in the world, 11 days to cross the 5 million mark. This roadmap includes PvP, raid bosses and other endgame content, Steam-Xbox crossplay, bug fixes, additional features, and more. 

If you've managed to dodge the discussion around Palworld, which has taken the internet, Steam, and Xbox by storm, Game Informer has a great primer for you to read right here. And if you don't know what the game looks like in action yet, check out Game Informer's recent Palworld stream below: 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Splatoon 3's Side Order DLC Hits The Game Next Month

2 months ago

splatoon 3 side order dlc wave 2 expansion pass release date february 22

Nintendo revealed during a Direct last September Splatoon 3's Side Order DLC would be coming to the game sometime in the spring of this year. Now, just a few months later, Nintendo has revealed exactly when: February 22, 2024. That's when Wave 2 of the Splatoon 3 expansion pass, which features Side Order as the star of the show, goes live, and it's when players can explore the Spire of Order, a brand new location. 

Nintendo announced this news with a short teaser trailer today that shows Agent 8 sleeping on a train. The teaser then transitions to the Spire of Order where a mysterious voice is calling out to Agent 8. 

Check it out for yourself below in the Splatoon 3 Side Order DLC release date trailer

For the uninitiated, Agent 8 is the protagonist from Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion. In Side Order, Agent 8 will meet a new character named Acht, who claims to go "way back" with Marina, one of the hosts of Splatoon 2. Marina's co-host, Pearl, seems to make an appearance of sorts in Side Order as a robot that accompanies Agent 8 on their journey. 

Author
Wesley LeBlanc

Enter for a Chance to Win an Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Digital Movie

2 months ago

In celebration of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's digital release, we are giving away 10 digital movies to our readers. This is your opportunity to own it, yours to keep forever, all you need to do is enter below by 2/6/2024 for your chance to win. 

From The Studio:
As Arthur Curry confronts the responsibilities of being King, a long-buried ancient power is unleashed. After witnessing the full effect of these dark forces, Aquaman must forge an uneasy alliance with an old enemy, and embark on a treacherous journey to protect his family, kingdom, and the world from devastation.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is rated PG-13. Must be a resident of the U. S. to accept prize. Full rules are available below with entry. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Good Luck!

Author
Game Informer Contests

Project C and Project D Are Immortality Developer's Newest Games, According To Mysterious Steam Listings

2 months ago

Half Mermaid, led by Sam Barlow, is known for making video games using FMV, and they often require the player to sort through footage to solve mysteries. But for the studio's next projects, it seems the mystery will begin before the games are even announced – today, two Steam listings were posted on Half Mermaid's developer page, but most of their information is redacted.

The games, currently called "Project C" and "Project D," have very few concrete details listed. White text blocks give the page a redacted look, so only a few words in each sentence are legible, and the images and videos in their galleries are surreal and vague. Obscure details are still details, however, so here's a breakdown of what we know about each game so far.

Project C

The description underneath Project C's profile image is as follows:

Gifted with the ███████ ██ ███ ██████ ██ ███ ███ ████ ██ ████, █████ █████████ kaleidoscopic █████████████ ██ ███ ██████ ██ ██████ █████████ ███ ██ future.

And the "About This Game " section in Project C's Steam listing is as follows:

Author
Charles Harte