It's time once again, for a collection of the biggest gaming related news that's happened in the past two weeks. You know the drill by now, so let's get right to it! The news covers announcements from November 2-15, while the release calendar goes from today up to November 29.

Gaming Industry

Former Sony Computer Entertainment Executive Talks About The Failed Nintendo Playstation​

Denfaminicogamer, a Japanese publication, recently had an interview with Shigeo Maruyama, the former CEO of Sony Music, and the chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan during the 1990s. The interview reveals some previously unknown facts about the failed partnership with Nintendo to create the Nintendo Playstation. According to a translation summary, Maruyama was only interested in helping with the Super Nintendo and adding a CD-Drive, because he wanted consumers to be able to listen to CDs on their TVs, but Nintendo was very adamant about using cartridges, so both companies decided the Nintendo Playstation would utilize both components. Ken Kutaragi, who was in charge of making the sound chip for the console, stirred up some drama when Nintendo canceled the announcement of the console with no warning, causing Sony JP's CEO at the time to warily back out of the deal as well. Maruyama claims that Kutaragi helped push the two apart, resulting in Sony going off to create their own video game system. Linked below is the Japanese untranslated interview.

SOURCE

Vivendi Continues Push to Take Over Ubisoft​

The slow conquest of Ubisoft by Vivendi doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon, as the larger company continues to acquire more shares of the French games publisher. Vivendi now owns 24% of Ubisoft, (Up from 22%) and 21.296% of voting rights. This isn't good news for Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemont, as businesses usually begin negotiations when a shareholder has 30+% ownership of a company's shares.

SOURCE

Assorted News

Pokemon Go Datamining Reveals Files for Gen 2 Pokemon
​

Despite having lost a chunk of its playerbase since the game's gigantic launch earlier this year, Pokemon Go still retains many players, and Niantic has been keeping up with frequent updates. The latest of which has been datamined to show that the game now has code for creatures from the second generation of Pokemon. The Pokedex from #152-251 is included into the .APK file of the game, and it's expected that Niantic will issue a huge update in order to fully implement these new additions sometime soon.

SOURCE

Watch_Dogs 2 Reveals Trailer for Unreleased Ubisoft Title
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Within Ubisoft's latest release, Watch_Dogs 2, is a hidden trailer for a Sci-fi themed video game. Emblazoned upon the video is a "Ubisoft Confidential: E3 Conf_Video_v03 watermark, suggesting that this was to be an E3 trailer. Nothing else is known about this 50 second mystery teaser.

​

SEGA Japan is Looking to Potentially Revive Some of its Older Franchises
​

The Japanese branch of SEGA has put out a survey, asking fans which classic SEGA series they'd like to see get revived. Bigger titles like Sonic the Hedgehog, Persona, Hatsune Miku all are scattered about the list, despite having very recent releases, while other games like Phantasy Star, Sakura Wars, Panzer Dragoon, and more are available to choose from. The winners of the survey will be revealed on a 48 hour live stream called Segafesu.

SOURCE

Steam Store Gets Overhaul
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The biggest source of digital PC games, Steam, has gotten a update to it's storefront. The revamp now makes it easier for people to navigate titles and add preferences to help buyers find game recommendations. There's also more search filters so that finding specific games is now more simple.

SOURCE

Klonoa is Getting a Movie
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A Japanese-based animation studio named Henshin will be partnering with Namco Bandai to create an animated film. Of what series, you may ask? Well it's none other than Klonoa, a platforming series that launched on the Sony Playstation back in 1997. Company founder Rob Pereyda and character designer Hitoshi Ariga will be working on the movie. Production on the project hasn't started yet, and there's no set release date on when the movie could be finished.

Klonoa is a late 90s video game icon, representing that special sense of hope and adventure we all collectively once had. We are honored to be entrusted by Bandai Namco with this franchise, and will work hard to do justice to the characters

SOURCE

Sony Lists Games That Will Be Getting PS4 Pro Patches
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Sony has written up an official list that details which games will be supported by the Playstation 4 Pro's better hardware. There will be a little over 40 titles getting patches as the PS4 Pro launches, with more to be added at a later date. Here are some of the games on the list, and you can get a full list at the link below.

• Mafia III
• Mantis Burn Racing
• Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
• NBA 2K17
• Neon Chrome
• Paragon
• PlayStation VR Worlds
• Ratchet & Clank
• Rez Infinite
• Rigs Mechanized Combat League
• Rise of the Tomb Raider

SOURCE

A Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Game Might Release in 2017
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While the Sega Genesis is 27 years old, that fact isn't stopping indie developer Big Evil Corporation from holding a crowdfunding campaign for their game called Tanglewood. According to the Kickstarter, the game will take inspiration from classic platformers such as Another World, Aladdin, and Lion King. Should it get funded, Tanglewood would release on all regions of the Sega Genesis, as as Windows, Mac, and Linux. There's even a beta that's playable.

SOURCE

Minecraft Gets a 1.11 Update
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The ever popular Minecraft was recently updated to version 1.11, otherwise known as the Exploration Update. There's all sorts of new additions, including Ocean Monuments, Woodland Mansions, and Llamas! There's even a sort of backpack, in the form of the Shulker Box. You can see all the updates in the video linked above.

Dragon Ball Fusions Gets Release Date Bump in North America
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It's good news for American Dragon Ball fans, as Bandai Namco's upcoming Dragon Ball Fusions is releasing a bit earlier than previously expected. The game was initially set to launch on December 13, and has now been moved to November 22nd. The release date is still set for December in Europe, however.

SOURCE: GBAtemp Press Inbox

Left 4 Dead 2 Beta Campaign Released As Add-On
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Turtle Rock Studios, the team behind the zombie-filled FPS game, Left 4 Dead 2, has released an unfinished campaign for the game, years after the game has been out. Titled "Dam It", the developers say that this would have bridged "Dead Air" and "Blood Harvest" in the official release, together. There's numerous issues with this unfinished map, though. If you're a fan of the game, or want to check it out, the add-on is available in the link below.

Releasing as an add-on means that our code changes are not included. Missing code means that the following features are not working:

• Fire, smoke and explosions do not trigger panic events in the hangars.
• Zombies do not crawl all the time in the orchard.
• Farm house mob does not spawn in the far side of the woods.
• Covered bridge does not collapse with explosions.
• Burned forest area is missing wandering fires.

SOURCE

Overwatch Getting Free Weekend from Nov. 18-21
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The critically-acclaimed new game from Blizzard will be getting a free weekend starting on the 18th, in order to entice new players. If you haven't tried the game, this will be a good chance to see what all the fuss is about. The free weekend is available on PC, PS4, and XBO, with the latter two requiring Playstation Plus and Xbox Live Gold in order to play.

The free period will begin on November 18 at 11 a.m. PT (18:00 UTC) and end on November 21 at 4:00 p.m. PT (23:00 UTC) in all gameplay regions.

SOURCE

Ubisoft Offers Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon for Free
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Ubisoft's 30th anniversary celebration continues, with Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon being added to the list of games that the company has given away on a monthly basis. There's no catch to this free offer, unless uPlay is a deal-breaker for you. Grab it at the link below!

SOURCE

Fan Projects

Modder Creates His Own Assassin's Creed Remaster
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While Assassin's Creed recently got 3 remasters in the form of the Ezio Collection, the first game in the series was noticeably left out. Luckily for fans, one modder named "Hecumarine" has released a texture pack that extensively revamps Assassin's Creed 1's graphics. They've included a new shader, imported textures from Assassin's Creed Revelations, doubled the texture resolutions, and added improvements to how NPCs look as well. It definitely brings a well needed upgrade to the 9 year old game.

SOURCE

Modding Team Creates XCOM 2 Mutliplayer Mod
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"Team Dragonpunk" has released a co-op mod for XCOM 2, which allows 2 players to complete missions together within the game. While the maximum amount of players only supports 2 at this time, the team is looking into getting the game's developer to approve their code for up to 12 player online co-op. According to the Steam page for the mod, it took Team Dragonpunk 10 months to create this!

SOURCE

Niche Game Annoucements

Square Enix Announces New Final Fantasy Mobile Game for Japan
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Yet another Final Fantasy title is in development for iOS and Android. But this specific one might deserve some extra attention, as the director of Chrono Trigger, Takahashi Tokita, will be the lead director of this mobile game. He also mentions that the game, titled Final Fantasy Legends II, will "be a celebration of what makes up Final Fantasy".

SOURCE

Fighting Game, "Fantasy Strike" Announced for PS4​

Developer Sirlin Games will be bringing their latest game, named Fantasy Strike, to Playstation 4. The creator of the game, David Sirlin, is a veteran in the fighting game scene, and was the lead designer on Street Fighter HD Remix. Sirlin claims that Fantasy Strike will be an easy-to-play game that will help bring fighting games to a more casual audience, while still being able to be played at competitive tournaments. The game will have one-button inputs for every attack, a super meter, and no crouching to defend. there's no set release date, but the game will be featured at Sony's Playstation Experience on December 3rd.

Classic Visual Novel "Desire" Getting an HD Remake
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Weekly Famitsu has revealed that a Visual Novel titled Desire, will be getting a remake in the form of Desire: Remaster Edition. The game will be launching on PS Vita and PC on April 27th in Japan, and will be getting brand new scenes and upscaled artwork.

SOURCE

Birthdays: the Beginning Gets Release Date
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Yasuhiro Wada, most known for creating the Bokujo Monogatari (Harvest Moon) franchise, has created a new game titled Birthdays: the Beginning, which is said to take a little inspiration from his past games. NIS America has announced that the game will be coming to the West on March 7 for North America, and March 10th for Europe.

Simply put: the happiness of creating, discovering, completing. I really want people to have a brand new experience [in Birthdays] that is unique from anything before this game. What's really important to me is creating a chemistry where people can experience the three things I mentioned above with a brand new game mechanic.

SOURCE

Trailers

Persona 5: Ryuji


The Last Guardian


Horizon Zero Dawn


Pokemon Sun and Moon Z Moves


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Release Calendar

November 18​

Killing Floor 2 (PC, PS4)
Star Wars Battlefront Ultimate Edition (PS4, XBO)
Pokemon Sun and Moon (3DS)
Planet Coaster (PC)

November 19​

Yesterday Origins (PC, PS4, XBO)

November 22​

Darksiders: Warmastered Edition (PC, PS4, XBO, Wii U)
The Little Acre (PS4, XBO, PC)
Amnesia Collection (PS4)
Dragon Ball Fusions (3DS) [NA]
Morning Men (PC)

November 23​

Pokemon Sun and Moon (3DS) [EU]

November 25​

Steins;Gate 0 (PS4, PSV) [EU]

November 29​

Steins;Gate 0 (PS4, PSV) [NA]
Final Fantasy XV (PS4, XBO)
Watch_Dogs 2 (PC)
The Crew: Ultimate Edition (PC, PS4, XBO)

 

[marksteele]

Am I the only one who hates how the new steam store page looks? I have to scroll now to see the top new releases and top sellers (the only things I really use on the store)

 

[RustInPeace]

I can't really do the free trial of Overwatch because of Sun/Moon. I was actually looking up prices for the game a few days ago, whether to get it on PC or PS4, it's now been 5 days since I got the PS4 Pro in the mail. But yeah, maybe later, I'm going to be all over Sun/Moon, maybe even beat one of the games without sleeping or taking any long break (eating and showering aside). About Fusions getting moved up, I have a feeling that's to capitalize on the buzz Dragon Ball Super's been having since finally hitting the West (officially) with streaming platforms airing the show, even moreso with that damn episode 66, retcons, nerfs, logic gaps aplenty. Anyways, great collection of news

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

@Chary working too hard for that respect here.

So let me get this straight, This weekend, overwatch is free on all 3 platforms, but unless you play on PC you need to have the playstation plus/xbox live gold membership active to actually PLAY THE GAME. O_O

is there no single player mode for this game? What exactly is this game, a advanced version of team fortress 2?

You do realize the game is $60 and the subscription for either service is also 60$ (at least for a year anyway) They could least offer a week trial period to whatever subscription you need to play it on. But unless you playing on pc or already have gold/plus active, then is like "WHOA!"

 

[RustInPeace]

So let me get this straight, This weekend, overwatch is free on all 3 platforms, but unless you play on PC you need to have the playstation plus/xbox live gold membership active to actually PLAY THE GAME. O_O

I never thought about getting PS Plus along with the console. This was a problem because in Mortal Kombat X, I had to get online in order to trigger certain unlockable things. Thankfully I used up a 2 day free trial. Only having 2 games on PS4, for now at least, I don't need PS Plus. The crappy thing though is eventually I'll need it. PS4 being only my second non-Nintendo console I've owned, I'm used to free online multiplayer and stuff. Sigh, welcome to the current generation I guess.

But yeah that free trial with Overwatch, if you didn't have a souped up PC AND PS Plus/Xbox Gold, kind of boned. I would imagine the game requires a good PC.

 

[bkifft]

November 18​

Killing Floor 2 (PC, PS4)
Star Wars Battlefront Ultimate Edition (PS4, XBO)
Pokemon Sun and Moon (3DS)
Planet Coaster (PC)

Pokemon is a split US/EU release as well, EU release is 23th of November.

 

[Chary]

Added in 3 extra pieces of news, thought they were interesting. The two SEGA ones and the Minecraft update.

Pokemon is a split US/EU release as well, EU release is 23th of November.

Ah, thanks, added.

@Chary working too hard for that respect here.

So let me get this straight, This weekend, overwatch is free on all 3 platforms, but unless you play on PC you need to have the playstation plus/xbox live gold membership active to actually PLAY THE GAME. O_O

is there no single player mode for this game? What exactly is this game, a advanced version of team fortress 2?

You do realize the game is $60 and the subscription for either service is also 60$ (at least for a year anyway) They could least offer a week trial period to whatever subscription you need to play it on. But unless you playing on pc or already have gold/plus active, then is like "WHOA!"

And that's why PC Master Race It's an online FPS which really relies on playing matches against other humans, rather than single player modes. And neither service is a set $60, you can easily find sales all throughout the year, $40 Gold, $50 PS+. I find paying for online a stupid practice, though, but I suppose that's just how things work for consoles.

I would imagine the game requires a good PC.

It doesn't require that powerful of a PC, a GTX 460 would be enough to run it on the barest of minimums.

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

It's an online FPS which really relies on playing matches against other humans, rather than single player modes. And neither service is a set $60, you can easily find sales all throughout the year, $40 Gold, $50 PS+. I find paying for online a stupid practice, though, but I suppose that's just how things work for consoles.

So there is no single player mode. Just like titanfall.

Why oh why do people think making a game without no single player mode is a good thing? These games should just be labeled under the massive multiplayer online category and just be on pc, while leaving console games to have more game modes for offline play and optional online play. Other popular fps games have single player modes, this is the bad practice, and yes it is just as bad as paying for online service. It practically works in tandem. They didn't even offer no 2day free trial or something to go with it.

Well if anyone finds some ps+ sales for cheap, let me know.

 

[leon315]

Overwatch is an a-Mei-zing 6vs6 team based tactical fps, it hasn't single campaign mode and it's online versus only. OW on pc is free of any fees competing online, and thanks to mouse's greater sensitivity which offers whole complete different metas for different heroes.

I've already got it on ps4 but I won't miss free trial on pc, hope my prehistoric notebook can handle it lol

 

[RustInPeace]

About Fantasy Strike, those graphics look last generation. Maybe it might be my speed because playing through Mortal Kombat X, jeez. It's addicting though, just makes me want to play more fighting games. Speaking of Sega, isn't some Brazilian manufacturer going to produce Sega Genesis consoles? I think I read something about that. So, people can buy this new game and a newly manufactured Genesis console. Long live the 16 bits.

 

[Cyan]

I Wonder what will be different with Horizon on PS4 and PS4 Pro.
that devs interview has "captured from a PS4 pro" message. I hope the game will look okay on normal consoles too.

 

[LittleFlame]

The ever popular Minecraft

Minecraft ain't big shit anymore these days, the playerbase has shrunk dramatically in the last 2 years, It's still popular but other stuff has taken it's place

 

[Chary]

Minecraft ain't big shit anymore these days, the playerbase has shrunk dramatically in the last 2 years, It's still popular but other stuff has taken it's place

Having 175,000 daily players still puts a game in the realm of still currently popular, I would say. Obviously not as much as when the game was at its peak, but still more than enough to be considered "ever popular", easily; merchandise, let's plays, all that junk is still being made and floating about.

 

[GalladeGuy]

@Chary Ocean Monuments have existed since Minecraft 1.8, not 1.11.

 

[H1B1Esquire]

Having DBZ:F release early is cool. Totally not cool, I'll now be drinking pots of coffee to stay awake between S/oon, DBZ, and then DQVIII.....then BotW.

Thankfully I didn't purchase a PS4 at launch because....track records of re-releasing your product three times in its life cycle, so FFXV can be a very late-spring purchase, unless it turns out like DQH.

And I'll just wait till the next-box drops its price off from a cliff.

 

[BORTZ]

Again, great work, Chary. This is probably my favorite news blerb I get.

 

[Wolfvak]

Already knew about the Klonoa movie coming out, but it's great to see it get mainstream attention on western sites as well!

 

[Justinde75]

Wasnt that hyped for Persona 5 at first, but after listening to the ost and watching all the trailers, I am sad that I dont own a ps4 yet.

 

[GamerzHell9137]

Darksiders: Warmastered Edition? Another rehash of the game? Why?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

@Chary working too hard for that respect here.

So let me get this straight, This weekend, overwatch is free on all 3 platforms, but unless you play on PC you need to have the playstation plus/xbox live gold membership active to actually PLAY THE GAME. O_O

is there no single player mode for this game? What exactly is this game, a advanced version of team fortress 2?

You do realize the game is $60 and the subscription for either service is also 60$ (at least for a year anyway) They could least offer a week trial period to whatever subscription you need to play it on. But unless you playing on pc or already have gold/plus active, then is like "WHOA!"

Why have you got a console in the first place if you can't pay for online?
And yeah, idk about TF2 but oW is a great comp game. Has a lot of players and a lot of communities so you can pretty much find people to play with. Its getting updated a lot and it runs great (on PC at least).
And iirc you don't need to have PS+ to play it, just apply for the free weekend and download it (i think you can even pre load it)

 

[Kameryn]

Loving this format! Thanks for the update .