Gaming - Page 604

A new 4Chan post may show off the PlayStation 5 devkit UI, complete with storage and a basic PS4-style square tile setup.

The apparent "leak" isn't much to go on, but the setup looks somewhat genuine. We've edited the photo to block out the username in the upper left hand corner, but the original image has roughly 891GB out of 1TB storage available, indicating the system's on board SSD indeed has a devbuild game installed. The 0.100.020 system firmware is also visible.

The user interface is rather simplistic and mirrors a PlayStation 4's general interface. It's functional but very unfinished, missing key components like social PSN features, screenshots, and the general flowing verticality of the current PS4 UI. but remember this is supposedly a devkit, not the final PlayStation 5 system UI. Expect many revisions before the PS5 releases in Holiday 2020.

I still remember playing the hell out of Kingpin: Life of Crime all the way back in 1999, but now it is coming back in the form of Kingpin: Reloaded.

Kingpin: Reloaded was announced on Twitter for PAX South 2020, with developer 3D Realms tweaking the iconic game with a bunch of features and new tech. We have 4K 60FPS and UltraWide monitor support, "classic" and "enhanced" modes, and improved graphics.

The game will be "re-balanced and polished", pack a new quest system and will launch on the PC, Xbox One, PS4 and even the Nintendo Switch. There's no release date for the game just yet, but Kingpin: Reloaded will drop sometime this year.

Sigh.

Joe Biden, the former Vice President (to President Obama) and now 2020 candidate for President of the United States, has illuminated us on his thoughts on game developers in Silicon Valley.

The beyond out of touch Biden was interviewed recently by The New York Times, where he was asked about the Obama administration and its legacy on Silicon Valley regulation. Biden commented on this subject about his talks with Silicon Valley leaders and their discussions on intellectual property rights, where he talked about a discussion he had with a game developer.

We know that Metro Redux is coming to the Nintendo Switch, but now we know what resolution and frame rate to expect from Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light Redux.

Metro Redux will be running at just 720p 30FPS on the Nintendo Switch in portable mode, while Wccftech reports that it will run at up to 1080p in docked mode. The game will most likely be using dynamic rendering based on system load, meaning the resolution will dynamically adjust on-the-fly.

We don't yet know what type of graphic detail to expect, but the Nintendo Switch isn't the most powerful console on the market, hell there are smartphones with as much grunt these days. Metro Redux on the Nintendo Switch will have both Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light, as well as all of the DLC released for those games.

It looks like one of the biggest PlayStation exclusives could be coming to the PC, with developer Naughty Dog looking for a new Graphics Programmer.

The Last of Us developer is looking for someone familiar with DirectX 12, Vulkan, and other graphics and compute APIs -- but the main thing is that the new staffer will need to be familiar with both AMD's GCN architecture and NVIDIA's CUDA architecture.

We should expect The Last of Us Part 2 to be made for Sony's next-gen PlayStation 5 console, with all sorts of new graphical bells and whistles... but this new hint could see a huge release on the PC. Given what has been happening lately with PlayStation exclusives coming to the PC, The Last of Us Part 2 being dropped on the PC would be a big deal for Sony and PC gamers.

The next BioShock game may add a new layer to the game's combat systems by letting users creatively handle or even bypass combat encounters.

A new BioShock game is in development for next-gen consoles at new 2K studio Cloud Chamber. We don't know much about the game just yet, but some job listings give us an idea of what to expect. Right now Cloud Chamber is hiring 41 developers including senior lead-level positions.

Apparently BioShock 4 (or whatever it's called) is being built in Unreal Engine 4 and will have a unique approach to its combat. The way it's described makes me think of Dishonored's incredible freedom-oriented approach to FPS action, whether it be using powers on the world in creative ways to solve problems or take out enemies, or using abilities to circumvent battles altogether. Along with this level of combat, the game aims to have dynamic AI that's tied to a highly-reactive world.

Capcom today announced that both consoles and PC versions of Monster Hunter World will be synchronized in April 2020, solidifying a huge cross-platform focus for future updates.

Following the game's release on PC, Monster Hunter World is getting some expansive updates on all platforms. The two versions will still be independently updated throughout the next few months until they get matched up in April with simultaneous content drops.

"Later in April marks the beginning of major content updates for both PC and console being released on the same schedule. New Arch-Tempered and Master Rank versions of existing monsters will be available at the same time for both PC and console players, followed by the return of a fan-favorite monster in May. More synced updates and additional monsters will be available in June and beyond, with details coming at a later date," Capcom wrote in a press release.

343i plans to begin beta testing of Halo 1 PC this month for a small number of Halo Insiders, but the tests will get wider and wider leading to February.

Halo: Combat Evolved's PC port is accelerating according to plan. After locking in key features like mouse and keyboard support, graphics options, and UI changes, 343i is ready to start testing other aspects like matchmaking, campaign, and progression. 343i will hold testing in three phases: Ring 1 (smaller), Ring 2 (small), and Ring 3 (larger).

Sadly there's a chance testing could be delayed. A new Halo Wars 2 PC bug could temporarily pull devs away from Halo MCC until there's a fix for the RTS. The studio still hasn't announced a firm launch date for Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary on PC, and the new beta tests will also include Halo Reach optimizations like fixing crouch on mouse and keyboard.

After hitting a monetization and live service wall with The Division 2 and Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Ubisoft has pledged to change up its core focus with games. Now it's making good on that promise by shaking up the team responsible for guiding its biggest games.

In the last five years, Ubisoft has made an incredible transformation towards digital gaming. It's created multiple live service hits that monetize well, engage well, and sell well. But this plan has hit a roadblock, namely with the disappointing performance of The Division 2 (which was meaningfully profitable but missed expectations) and Ghost Recon Breakpoint. Now Ubisoft is changing course, and has delayed some of its biggest games to revamp their internal structures.

Now Ubisoft confirms it's not only changing its games, but evolving the core team of advisers, producers, and executives that lead its editorial team, a group of experts who are responsible for Ubisoft's biggest games. The games-maker is expanding this team in order to create a unique identity for each project while also giving more flexibility to its teams.

Cyberpunk 2077's delay to September doesn't really give the team more breathing room, but more opportunity to crunch and double-down their efforts.

CD Projekt RED is shockingly transparent about their demands of dev teams, confirming that workers will indeed crunch on Cyberpunk 2077 over the next five months. This final stretch will punctuate what's already likely been lots of overtime as CDPR continues investing tens of millions of dollars into the project.

"Developers will crunch to some degree, to some degree. We're trying to limit crunch as much as possible, but you know it's the final stretch. We try to be reasonable in this regard. But yes [they will crunch] unfortunately," CDPR President Adam Kicinski said in a recent investors call.

Although CD Projekt RED says Cyberpunk 2077 will be their "crowning gem" of current-gen consoles, the devs still plan to explore PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles.

Cyberpunk 2077 is still very much a PS4 and Xbox One game. CD Projekt RED made that very clear in their recent delay announcement, affirming they're focusing on current-gen systems "for now." But even as the game is getting optimized for existing hardware, the company is planning for and likely experimenting with next-gen PlayStation 5 and Xbox SX consoles.

"As we said, our games were always designed for multiple machines. We are thinking about the next generation, but for now we are focused on the current generation," CDPR President Adam Kicinski said in a recent Q&A investors call.

Some new PS5 designs are making the rounds, showing a strange X-shaped chassis that looks ill-equipped to handle next-gen thermals.

First we had the V-shaped PlayStation 5 devkit, and now we have an X-like design that's more like a fusion between a launch PS4 and stylish mock-ups of an Xbox system.

The images come from Twitter user Drunk Cat, who posted up real photos of PS5 devkits back in November. Apparently this design isn't the final PS5 shape, but an authentic concept mock-up made internally at Sony Interactive Entertainment.

All devs crunch, but Rockstar Games is among the most famous for its brutal hours-smashing overtime. Now a new report says the studio has relented and is actively working towards better policies for its workers.

Crunch is endemic in the games industry, and is generally seen as part of making games. Devs have to constantly iterate, build, adapt, and throw away weeks (or sometimes months) worth of work due to miscommunication, cancellations, and revisions. And when a game is delayed, it doesn't give developers more freedom per say--it just gives them more time to work long hours and crunch even harder. Sometimes these long months lead to depression, anxiety, and even mental breakdowns.

Case in point: GTA V was delayed three separate times, and according to ex-Rockstar dev Liam Edwards, every delay added on 6 months of crunch time. That means Rockstar had 18 months of toil and heavy work added to their cumbersome dev cycle. Thankfully Rockstar is getting better at handling crunch.

GTA V conquered the top sales charts in the U.S., becoming the best-selling game in the last 10 years.

Grand Theft Auto V is a monster that's earned over $1 billion from microtransactions, and pulled in the same amount in just three days of sales. It's a sensation that just keeps on giving, too: In the last seven years, the game has sold over 115 million copies and continues to rake in hundreds of millions in mTX revenues every year. With that kind of reach it's only natural GTA V dominated the sales charts.

According to the NPD Group, GTA V sold more copies than any other game from 2010-2019 in the United States, beating out Call of Duty. "Grand Theft Auto V is the best-selling game of all time in our tracked sell-through in dollar sales," NPD Group analyst Mat Piscatella said.

If you've ever been on a flight to the other side of the world, then you would understand the struggle of waiting at the airport for your next flight. But what if you didn't have to wait, and could play games instead?

According to a report by The Oregonian, a man at Portland International Airport took it upon himself to cure his boredom by plugging his PS4 console into one of the airport's information monitors. The man decided to jump into a game of Apex Legends, risking his luck both in-game and in real-life with authorities.

The airport was very quick to react to the incident, and according to Kama Simonds, Port of Portland spokesperson who spoke to KXL Radio and said, "That is obviously something that we don't want to have happened." The man who was in-game was approached by airport operators and was "very kindly" asked to exit his game. The man replied to operators and "very politely" asked if he could finish his game, the response was "no".

Rockstar Games may speed up its game release cadence to appease parent company Take-Two Interactive's desire for accelerated launches.

According to reports from Rockstar Games aficionado YouTuber SWEGTA, Take-Two is pressuring Rockstar Games to release their games at a faster rate. "Take-Two is reportedly pressuring Rockstar Games to return to their more frequent game release schedule. Although this probably would be bad for bigger franchises like GTA and Red Dead, it could incentivize them to continue focusing on much smaller titles like Bully and Manhunt," SWEGTA said on Twitter.

This pretty much goes against everything Take-Two stands for, at least when it comes to Rockstar's titles. The publisher has repeatedly given Rockstar lots of flexibility and freedom--for instance, Red Dead Redemption 2 was delayed twice--and Take-Two understands that rushing projects only hurts them in the long run.

Valve confirms that Left 4 Dead 3 isn't in the works as a VR port or fully-fledged shooter, squashing years of rumors, reports, and carefully-sifted datamined info.

Today Valve dropped a bombshell: The Left 4 Dead series is pretty much on ice, and has been for quite some time. That means the oft-rumored Left 4 Dead 3 isn't happening any time soon.

"We are absolutely not working on anything L4D related now, and haven't for years," Valve told IGN. "We did briefly explore some Left 4 Dead next gen opportunities a few years ago."

Horizon: Zero Dawn will be the first major first-party PS4 exclusive to release on PC, sources tell Kotaku.

While Sony has yet to announce anything concrete, sources familiar with the company's plans say select marquee PlayStation 4 titles will be released as purchasable dedicated games on PC. The first game will be Horizon: Zero Dawn in 2020, and there's rumblings that Dreams is crossing over too. A selection of PS4 games are currently playable on PC via an active PlayStation Now subscription, but this new endeavor will see console exclusives cross over to PC storefronts, possibly even Steam or the Epic Games Store.

It's also possible Sony launches its own proprietary storefront similar to uPlay, Origin, Bethesda.net, or the new Rockstar Games Launcher so it can keep 100% of all revenues from its games. Even with its own storefront, we should still expect its PC ports to arrive on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

The PS5's DualShock 5 controller may be compatible with current-gen PS4 consoles, ushering in a new era of forward- and backward-compatibility.

Sony has already confirmed the PS5 will support PS4 accessories like the DualShock 4, but now it looks like the reverse is true: The DualShock 5 could be usuable on the PS4 and PS4 Pro. The news comes from a spec comparison sheet on PlayStation France that lists something quite interesting: DS5/DS4 controllers are both compatible on PlayStation 4 consoles.

This isn't entirely surprising news. In a recent interview with Business Insider Japan, Sony Interactive Entertainment President Jim Ryan strongly hinted the DualShock 5 was compatible with the PS4.

Cyberpunk 2077's multiplayer isn't just an add-on component like GTA Online, but a fully-fledged game in itself. That means CDPR needs more time to work on it and the studio confirmed it won't launch until 2022 or thereabouts.

Today CD Projekt RED confirmed two big things: Cyberpunk 2077 was delayed to September 17, 2020, and that a new Witcher game isn't in development. That mysterious new AAA RPG CD Projekt RED has been working on in tandem with Cyberpunk 2077 is the series' online multiplayer project.

Now in a new investors Q&A session, CD Projekt RED gives key details on the multiplayer game. Despite likely using the same code, engine, and gameplay mechanics as Cyberpunk 2077, the multiplayer project won't meet its original 2021 release target. The way the execs talk about the online title makes it out to be a pretty ambitious standalone experience, complete with an engagement monetization structure and innovative features.