Game Control: ‘Borderlands’ Feature Adaptation Bombs, Fields of Mistria Early Access, SAG Strike
Console: Boss Team Games will release two 16-bit games based on horror franchise icons Halloween and Evil Dead. These two games are the first installments in Boss Team Games newest endeavor, RetroRealms. Both games will be “fast-paced 90’s arcade style games” with the Halloween game directly relating to the first installment in the franchise and the Evil Dead game tying in with the “Ash vs Evil Dead" television series. RetroRealms: Halloween and RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead will be available on PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox on October 18, 2024.
Shadows of Doubt leaves early access on September 26, 2024. The first-person open-world detective game will receive its full release and debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
PlayStation allows select users to leave written reviews of games in the PlayStation Store. This new update was first noticed by a Reddit user. Previously, gamers were only able to leave reviews on the PlayStation Store by rating a game on a starred scale. While this new update allows gamers to give game studios and developers more feedback, PlayStation is selective when it comes to reviewers. Though unconfirmed, it seems that gamers can review a game based on the amount of hours they have logged into it. Additionally, reviews are only being allowed for users with digital copies.
A new teaser trailer for Disney Dreamlight Valley: A Rift in Time’s new update features Steamboat Willie. The inclusion of Steamboat Willie makes sense, not just because of his recent induction into the public domain, but because of the themes of Disney Dreamlight Valley’s DLC. The teaser showcases old school aspects of Disney’s animation interacting with characters from its more modern eras, with Mickey Mouse flip-flopping between his modern design and Steamboat Willie.
Stalker 2 is delayed until November 20, 2024. The game has hit many delays previously, with developer GSC Game World stating that the game’s previous “final” release date of September 5, 2024, is no longer viable due to unexpected bugs. The developer went on to say that a deep dive into the game in collaboration with Xbox will premiere on August 12, 2024 featuring new footage of various locations, gameplay, cutscenes, and even a full world overview.
Marvel Rivals will kick off Gamescom with a special live stream called Opening Night Live. The announcement of the livestream teased new updates and heroes. However, these new heroes may have already leaked to the public with many fans gossiping that Captain America could be the next playable hero.
Mobile: A mobile game based on Chiikawa is in development. Pre-registration for the game is currently open in Japan only through the App Store and the Play Store. Titled Chiikawa Pocket, or Chiipoke for short, the game centers on the player carrying Chiikawa in their pocket as they go about their daily life.
Mortal Kombat Mobile is shutting down a year after launch. The announcement of the game’s shutdown follows a series of layoffs at Mortal Kombat developer NetherRealm. These layoffs included the entirety of NetherRealm’s mobile team which operated live services on multiple titles including Mortal Kombat Mobile, Injustice 2, and Mortal Kombat: Onslaught. Like Mortal Kombat Mobile, Onslaught will also be shutting down in October 2024.
A big Zenless Zone Zero leak shows off upcoming characters and their arrival dates. This leak shows off a new lineup of agents including Burnice White, Yanagi, and Harumasa, who will all arrive in future updates. ZZZ promotes three agents in each phase of an update and allows players to unlock them with gacha tickets. With the names of these three agents leaked it’s logical to assume that the bulk of ZZZ’s upcoming update is public knowledge. ZZZ went on to confirm Burnice White specifically, revealing other information like backstory and abilities. She will debut in version 1.2. of the game.
Netflix released a guide for their version of ludo. Ludo King follows the traditional rules of the board game Ludo against a variation of colorful backdrops such as candy and pirate-themed boards. The game can be played with friends or with game-matched opponents. Ludo King is one of Netflix’s newest additions to its mobile gaming division.
PC: Reviews for the feature adaptation of Borderlands are in and it has bombed with fans, critics, and the box office. The film initially debuted with 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, though it now sits at 10% at the time of writing. Borderlands only pulled in $16.5 million worldwide during its opening weekend. With a budget of $115 million and $30 million in marketing and distribution costs, the film doesn’t look like it’ll recoup the money. The CEO of Take-Two, Borderlands’ developer, urged audiences to “give the film a chance” despite negative critical response. With Borderlands 4 currently in development, the response to its film adaptation may leave fans wondering if they even want the new installment.
Red Dead Redemption may be playable on PC. The announcement was bafflingly found on the PlayStation Store. The game supposedly will work as a PC game port and feature both Red Dead Redemption’s 2010 base game and the Undead Nightmare expansion. However, the announcement was quickly taken off the PlayStation store with no confirmation on PC playability.
Farming simulator Fields of Mistria reached 100,000 downloads only a week into its early access. The game is reminiscent of Stardew Valley while featuring an art style that is more Sailor Moon than 8-bit. Early access for Fields of Mistria is available on Steam for $13.99 with a rating of 98% as of writing.
Cult of the Lamb: Unholy Alliance received a massive long-awaited patch. The new update allows for multiplayer gameplay; hence the update is titled Unholy Alliance. The second player character is named the Goat. In celebration of the update, gamers can purchase the game on Steam at 50% off.
Turkey banned Roblox to prevent children from exploitation. Roblox released a statement on the blockage, saying that the company is working to have Roblox up and running again in the country and that Roblox “share[s] global policymakers’ commitment to protecting children.” Turkey’s blockage of Roblox occurred only a week after they shut down access to Instagram. Turkish children have taken to the streets to protest the ban chanting “Roblox Geri Gelsin”, which roughly translates to “Roblox come back”.
Virtual Reality: Metal: Hellsinger VR will launch on September 26, 2024, for Meta Quest 2 and 3 and on October 3, 2024, for PlayStation VR2 and SteamVR. Gamers who pre-order will receive free downloadable content called “Dream of the Beast” which includes two additional songs, a weapon, and three outfits with alternate passive effects.
Google and Samsung are collaborating on a new XR platform. Announced by Rick Osterloh, Google’s SVP of Platforms and Services, at Samsung’s Unpacked event, the announcement came after the introduction of other products Google and Samsung collaborated on such as Google Gemini. Samsung President TM Roh confirmed that this new mixed-reality device will be released later this year.
K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER will launch a virtual reality concert this fall. The forty-minute performance is specifically recorded to be viewed in virtual reality and is produced by VR concert company AmazeVR.
Virtual reality is becoming a popular new method to train law enforcement. Colorado Springs police department used a virtual reality training simulator to prepare before testing. Though the equipment and software may have been expensive enough to require a federal grant, it ultimately saves quite a bit of money. Training exercises often require actors who are paid for their time or off-duty police officers from other departments. The CSPD isn’t the only police department turning to virtual reality for training, law enforcement trainees at Owens Community College in Ohio are using similar technology. This training is under the watch of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. These VR sets will not replace the current training curriculum that officers undergo but will act as supplementary training as they slowly phase this new style of training in.
SAG-AFTRA
Industry: PUBG’s Krafton acquired Tango Gameworks from Xbox. The acquisition occurred three months after Microsoft announced the closure of the studio. Krafton, a South Korean publisher, describes the purchase as its “first significant investment in the Japanese market”. Tango Gameworks is most well-known for creating rhythm-based action games Hi-Fi Rush, the Evil Within series, and the Ghostwire series.
Veteran developers of Hitman and Raid: Shadow Legends have launched a new studio. Chamo Games is based in Malmö, Sweden, and hopes to push boundaries in game genres. The studio grew from the two founders to a remote team of twenty-five from September 2023 to March 2024. They are currently finalizing their first playable build.
Mobile developer Shipyard Games closed. Despite funding from mobile juggernaut Supercell, investment in the developer has dried up. The Finnish company first found funding in Supercell back in 2017. The developer hoped to create a geolocation MMO, but unfortunately, their dream was unable to become a reality.
Video game performers are now on strike under SAG-AFTRA. Following SAG-AFTRA’s strike last year for their main acting contract and the WGA’s strike, it is now the chance for video game performers to take to the picket line. Though they are under a different contract from mainline actors in SAG-AFTRA, these motion-capture performers, voice actors, and other performers, have very similar concerns. AI protections are a primary reason for the strike. These actors have no protection against AI under their current contract.
